Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Marine Vardanyan
Staff Writer
Traveling abroad as a student is an amazing experience; traveling to your homeland, an unbelievable experience. Last summer, fourteen students had the opportunity to do both when they visited the ancient land of Armenia on a two week Armenia Summer Study Trip with Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program.
Professor Der Mugrdechian and student participants shared stories from their trip, in the presentation “Discovering Armenia: A Student and Faculty Perspective,” an overview of their journey, with photographs, videos, and their impressions, on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, as part of International Education Week at Fresno State.
Photo ASP Archive : Front, l. to r.: Michael Rettig, Phillip Der Mugrdechian, Nishan Karagozian, Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Andrew Khasigian, Kristina Koroyan, Kimberly Santikian, and David Tataryan. Back row, l. to r.: Zachary Gavroian, Sarkis Manavazian, Ann Soghomonian, Denise Altounian, Heidi Lea, and Tamar Karkazian, all at Khor Virap, the pit in which St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned.
The Alice Peters Auditorium lecture hall in the University Business Center was filled to capacity with more than 125 students and community members, all excited to hear about present-day Armenia and the unique experiences of the travelers. The evening presentation was organized into three sections, beginning with a look at Armenia through the eyes of Professor Der Mugrdechian, followed by student impressions and comments, and finally video clips that brought to life the various experiences from the journey.
The first few photographs were images of the students in London. On their way to Armenia, Professor Der Mugrdechian and his group had the good fortune of having a seven-hour layover in London, allowing for time for a tour of the city. Although the travelers were not yet in Armenia, Professor Der Mugrdechian made sure to create an Armenian connection by taking his students to visit London’s St. Sarkis Armenian Church, where they received the honor of meeting with the Very Rev. Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate of the Armenian Church in Great Britain.
Professor Der Mugrdechian embarked on this journey with the goal of enlightening his students. “The students have to come away with a true learning experience,” he stated.
Each photograph in the presentation had its own story, and Professor Der Mugrdechian made sure to clearly explain what it was. Every other day, the group traveled outside Yerevan, visiting many different sites such as the temple of Garni, Holy Etchmiadzin, Tatev Monastery, the Areni Winery, and Lake Sevan. In visiting the many churches, the group was able to travel throughout Armenia. During the days when the group stayed in the city, they visited museums, attended lectures, and even visited the grave of Fresno’s own William Saroyan. At every stop, Professor Der Mugrdechian and his students made sure to capture the moment with their cameras.
Following the trip overview, students Michael Rettig, Tamar Karkazian, and Kyle Gaede volunteered to speak about their impressions of Armenia and what they enjoyed the most. Michael Rettig’s favorite part of the trip was meeting with people. “They were all hospitable and treated us like family,” he stated. He was so charmed by the people, both old and young, that while visiting the Noraduz Khatchkar Cemetery he purchased numerous socks, hats, and gloves from the villagers. After trying to explain that he had no money left, a young boy shook his head and with a smile said “Surprise!” as he gifted Michael with one of his drawings.
Tamar Karkazian enjoyed this trip to Armenia much more than her first visit a few years ago. Her favorite part of the trip was planting a tree with the group in the Armenian Genocide Memorial Grove.
Kyle Gaede was struck mostly by the intensity of life in Armenia and the beauty of the country, with mountains rising in every direction. The students were able to take a lot away from their trip, each with their own individual impressions, and through the added guidance provided by Professor Der Mugrdechian.
The video clips ended the presentation, with excerpts bringing to life the group’s various experiences. The video began on the first morning in Armenia, which was one of the only days Ararat was in clear view. Women singing in the Temple of Garni, the video of the group’s cable car ride to the Monastery of Tatev, and the beautiful sharagans sung by the choir at St. Gayane all helped the audience gain an idea of what was experienced in those two weeks in Armenia. And on the last day in Armenia, Mt. Ararat finally appeared to bid the group farewell.
Although only fourteen students visited Armenia with Professor Der Mugrdechian, this evening the members of the audience were also able to experience and discover Armenia through the pictures, stories, and videos the group shared.