Love You to AUA and Back: Henrik Sergoyan (BSCS ’19) and Seda Sedrakyan (BSCS ’19)

3 min read

Henrik Sergoyan (BSCS ’19) and Seda Sedrakyan (BSCS ’19) are among the many alumni who found love at AUA. They both received their bachelor of science degree in computer science from the Zaven P. and Sona Akian College of Science and Engineering. Henrik and Seda’s relationship began during their sophomore year, and they married in 2021, two years after graduation. Henrik and Seda decided to hold their wedding photoshoot at their alma mater, where their love story blossomed and where they shared their earliest memories. They are now both successful data scientists who have continued their educational and professional journey together following their graduation from the University.

Who fell in love first?

Henrik: I did. We had studied together since our school years, and I fell in love with her when we graduated from high school. I confessed my love to Seda when we were still freshmen at AUA. It was her birthday, and we were hanging out at AUA’s Triangle Park. For a whole year, I tried to select every course that Seda did in order to spend as much time with her as possible, and if you have ever registered for an undergraduate course at AUA, you know the amount of effort I had to put into ensuring my class schedule aligned with hers. 

Why AUA?

Henrik: As I was already in love with Seda in high school, she was the main reason that I wanted to study at AUA. Later, I started to appreciate the University for its values and style of education.  

Seda: Mine is a longer story, and it dates back to 2011-12, when I was attending English classes at AUA’s EEC program. At that time, the University didn’t yet offer undergraduate degrees, but it was a dream of mine to study at the AUA as a student. When the University finally launched its undergraduate programs, there was no question for me that I would pursue my studies at my dream University. 

How did AUA prepare you for your career?

Seda: One of the most significant takeaways from AUA was the practical knowledge I acquired and how this prepared me for my career. When I was still a student, I had no work experience to showcase during job interviews. However, we completed so many projects at AUA that served as instrumental assets during these interviews. The market trends nowadays put more focus on your skillset and projects as a specialist rather than the number of years you have been employed. My University assignments proved a great advantage for me, to the extent that when I graduated, I was already working in my professional sphere. 

Henrik: What I liked most about AUA was that in addition to the knowledge and skills that you gain for your future profession, you also develop soft skills, both directly and indirectly. The environment that AUA creates for us prompts us to work on our soft skills through group projects and interactions with students from different spheres during our General Education courses. In the job market, AUA students stand out instantly because of their soft skills, such as communication, time management, teamwork, and other capabilities that are in high demand. Now, as I pursue a master’s degree in mathematics and data science at the Technical University of Munich, I find the skills acquired at AUA to be extremely useful. 

What is a life or career goal that you both share?

Seda: We have been considering launching a project together in the future that will support students on their journey toward becoming professionals, be it mentorship, scholarship, or internship programs. 

Henrik: I think scholarships play a major role in students’ lives, and not only for their financial needs. I would very much like for us to have a named scholarship at AUA in the future and fund the education of several students. 

Seda: I also received the Akian Family Foundation scholarship when studying at AUA, and we think giving back to our community is very important.

How did you decide to do your wedding photoshoot at AUA?

Henrik: It was Seda’s idea.

Seda: I wanted our photoshoot to be in a place where we shared a lot of memories, somewhere strongly connected to our relationship. 

Henrik: When we came to AUA for today’s interview, we were strolling on campus and realized that we have memories at every spot here, from our conversations and group study sessions to everything related to our time here at the University.

What is your favorite part of being married?

Seda: Traveling. It has become a kind of team-building activity for us.

Henrik: Indeed, throughout these years of being married to each other, we have stayed in Armenia for only a very short time, as we started traveling very frequently. It is a great feeling to be able to travel and discover the world with your partner. 

What is the secret to a happy relationship?

Seda: Accepting each other as we are. I appreciate that in many aspects of our life, Henrik accepts all of me and does not attempt to change who I am as a person.

Henrik: Yes, I think the secret is in trying to understand and accept things that you may not be fond of and not attempting to limit them in any way.