ABSTRACT
Many Armenians would prefer to work outside the country, either temporarily or permanently, because of the perception that there is no future for them in Armenia. Although they would prefer to work in Western Europe, the United States, or Australia, it is difficult for them to obtain visas and working papers for these countries, so countries like Russia and Ukraine are really their fallback choices. One attraction that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) accounting reform program offered was the possibility to obtain a credential that would make them marketable in more than 100 countries, which we shall discuss in more detail below. Many of the younger students saw the programs offered by USAID as a one-way ticket out of the country, which greatly increased demand for the programs.
