Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Summer Study Trips since 1988. Alumni of the trips gathered
on April 27 to renew friendships. Photo: ASP Archive
Staff Report
More than sixty alumni participants of Armenian Studies Program Summer Study Trips gathered on Friday, April 27, at the Smittcamp Alumni House at Fresno State to celebrate thirty years of summer trips to Armenia.
The first Armenian Studies organized trip to Armenia took place in 1988, when Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian led a group of eight students to Yerevan for a one month stay. That turned out to be a historic year as students were eyewitness to the Karabagh movement and the large demonstrations taking place in the heart of Yerevan.
The visit also took place when Armenia was still part of the Soviet Union and the group was hosted by the Committee for Cultural Relations with Armenians Abroad. But the elements of future trips were already in place, with visits to historic sites, museums, meetings with university students, and classes.
Over the succeeding years each Armenian Studies trip has provided a unique experience to the Fresno State students who participated.
Students have formed lifelong bonds with those who they traveled with as well as establishing ties to Armenia.
Altogether there have been eight such trips to Armenia, with the latest having taken place in the summer of 2017.
More recently, Professors Sergio La Porta and Hagop Ohanessian have also participated in the trips as co-leaders with Prof. Der Mugrdechian.
The alumni had a chance to renew friendships, as well as laugh and take pleasure in talking about their experiences, while enjoying a buffet dinner courtesy of the Armenian Studies Program. Following dinner, guests enjoyed a powerpoint presentation that highlighted special moments from each of the Summer Study trips.
The Summer Study alumni then had an opportunity to express how their trip had made a lasting impact on each of them. Many had visited Armenia since their original trip forming lasting ties.
All of the participants expressed their appreciation to the Armenian Studies Program for affording them the opportunity to travel to Armenia.