Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Garo Minasian
History
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
Prof. Hagop Ohanessian is one of the best instructors at Fresno State because his courses are well organized and very interesting. He was among the first people to encourage me to pursue a Minor in Armenian Studies. On the other hand, Professor Barlow Der Mugerchian, who is a great professor, encouraged me as well once I was pursuing my Minor.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite Armenian course so far has been Armenian Studies 10 with Prof. Ohanessian because we learned a lot about Armenian history, immigration, and identity. We learned about the major developments of the first and second Armenian Republic which impacted Armenia, and we discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. On the other hand, my other favorite Armenian course was “Arts of Armenia” with Prof. Der Mugrdechian, which went over the history of Armenian art, including paintings, sculptures, and carpets.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
Armenian Studies courses helped me to continue shaping my identity within Fresno and within my relationships with my friends and family in the diaspora and Armenia. Knowing more about Armenian history made me more excited to share about it to other Armenians or non-Armenians. Being part of the Armenian community in Fresno makes me happy and excited. I would encourage everyone who is interested in pursuing a Minor in Armenian Studies because it is filled with many interesting courses taught by very professional instructors and faculty members. Plus, taking Armenian courses will help students financially through scholarships provided to the students who take an Armenian course at Fresno State.
What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to stay in Fresno and start working on my credentials program and to work on a master’s degree in history at the same time.
Gregory Krikorian
Business Administration-Management
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
I wanted to learn more about my Armenian identity and I was really excited to learn the language, learn more about our history, and spend time with my fellow Armenian classmates.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite classes were Armenian Studies 20, the “Arts of Armenia,” and Armenia 1A, “Elementary Armenian.” Seeing all the different paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and architecture was so interesting and I learned a lot. I also had a lot of fun learning the Armenian language because I had no prior knowledge of it coming into the class. A big thank you to Prof. Der Mugrdechian for teaching me so much and doing such a great job.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
I was able to learn about my heritage, culture, and family history. I was able to learn a lot from my teachers about the Genocide and a lot from my family as well. I am leaving Fresno State now with much greater knowledge about who I really am as an Armenian.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plans are to find a house in the Fresno/Clovis area and to start working full time. I have really enjoyed my time here at Fresno State and I want to thank all my professors for being so great to me over the years.
Dustin Vartanian
Business Management
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
I took my first Armenian Studies course because I was interested in learning about my culture and my passion for Armenian Studies grew tremendously after that first course which was an Armenian literature course. My interests in Armenian studies continued to grow after each course. I never would have thought how involved and interested I would have become in Armenian studies.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
The Armenian language classes have been my favorite classes. It is so awesome to be able to take what you learn in class and use it outside of the classroom. The class is always a fun environment to be in.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
There are several things I value from my experiences. There are too many to write down but I especially value the friends I have met through the Program and through ASO because I know these are life-long friends. I also value everything I have learned from this Program.
What are your plans after graduation?
To find a good job that I enjoy.
Erik Abrahamyan
Business Administration-Accountancy
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
For me as an international student from Armenia it was extremely important to stay close to the Armenian culture while studying far from Armenia. Honestly, I did not know how those courses would go, but that seemed like it was the best way to stay in touch with the Armenian culture and learn something new about it.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite Armenian Studies class was the Armenian Studies 20, “Arts of Armenia” course. I learned a lot of new things about Armenia. When I lived in Armenia I thought that I knew all the places, all the important things about our culture, but after taking that class, I discovered that I knew only a little part of Armenian culture.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
The Program is a hub for all Armenians in Fresno and also a chance for non-Armenians to discover Armenia. All the events and all the activities organized by the Program give a chance for Armenians to stay in touch with each other, to gather together, and to feel the warmth of being Armenian even if they did not know any Armenian. No one can imagine how important it was for me to feel that I was surrounded with Armenians in a foreign country.
What are your plans after graduation?
My most important plan was to pursue a master’s degree in Moscow. However, COVID and the war in Armenia changed all my plans. I lost my some of the people I love in war [Artskah War of 2020]. My view of life changed after that and now I feel that I must stay close to my family and stay in Armenia. Right now I am an intern at an accounting company and I am planning to work as an accountant after finishing the internship.