AUA CSE Student Aram Serobyan (MS CIS ‘19) Reflects on His Experience in Erasmus+ Mobility in Portugal

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Aram Serobyan (MS CIS ‘19) spent his senior year spring semester at IST (Instituto Superior Técnico) in Lisbon, Portugal. In the brief interview below, he has shared his educational achievements, experiences, and goals.

 

How did you come to study at AUA and what influenced your choice of profession?

After my exchange year in the USA, I grew fond of the American educational system. I especially liked the flexibility it offers students and how it focuses on activities outside of classes. It doesn’t overwhelm students with a multitude of courses they have to take simultaneously but challenges them with fewer well-taught courses rich in content. Aside from the classroom,, this system encourages involvement in extracurricular activities, which build character and a healthy community. When I heard that AUA is opening an undergraduate degree program in one of my preferred fields, I seized the opportunity to continue my studies in my preferred educational system.

I always wanted to pursue a profession that blends science with creativity. That is why I chose to study CS.

As an AUA alumnus and student, how would you evaluate AUA’s contribution to your current achievements?

AUA played a major role in what I have achieved to date. It gave me the best chance to learn from the finest professors, recognized not only in Armenia but also globally. Moreover, AUA had attracted a community of open-minded and intelligent students, who significantly contributed to my personal growth. In the long-run, such qualities helped me to achieve my educational goals and get recognized by the Presidential IT Award.

Tell us about your current status and how you got there.

Currently, I am focused on my studies. My plan is to continue up to earning a Ph.D. So, I am totally immersed in working toward that.

In general, how would you define success in career?

In response to your question, I would quote Mark Twain: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

My idea of success is when you not only enjoy what you do but also feel a constant challenge to learn more and get better at what you do.

Tell us about your stay as an Erasmus+ exchange student.

During the first half of 2018, I was an Erasmus+ student in IST (Instituto Superior Técnico) located in Lisbon, Portugal. IST, ranks 11th among the Engineering universities in Europe. My semester there was a fantastic experience. It helped me to learn about a new culture, hear different points of view by people from different parts of the world, and develop new connections. Also, the semester at IST gave me a chance to take courses in subjects that aren’t available at AUA.