AUA Extension Organizes Summer Schools in Five Regions of Armenia

4 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — As summer 2024 comes to a close, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Extension is wrapping up its summer schools across five regions: Gyumri, Yeghegnadzor, Vanadzor, Kapan, and Goris. This year, the summer schools will graduate 78 boys and girls who leave with a plethora of happy memories, as well as valuable learning experiences and skills that will continue to uplift individual development.

Summer School in Gyumri

In Gyumri, AUA Extension conducted a ten-day summer school focused on career orientation and digital skills. The program featured workplace visits, interactive sessions among the participants, and discussions with guest speakers. The morning sessions were specifically dedicated to learning Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as expanding their Google search techniques and use of practical computer tools.

In the afternoons, the program focused on career orientation, featuring guest speakers who shared their professional experiences, granting students an inside look into various career paths. To complement classroom education, the students visited different workplaces that provided them with valuable real-world insights. The program also included a segment dedicated to advancing the participants’ English language skills, enhancing vocabulary related to the professions discussed and opening doors for student progress and exploration of diverse opportunities.

The program concluded with a final event that showcased the students’ newly acquired skills through games and presentations. 

Summer School in Yeghegnadzor

Yeghegnadzor Summer School brought together 18 teenagers, offering them a variety of sessions focused on leadership, self-discovery, media literacy, and emotional intelligence through games, discussions, and role play.

Throughout the program, the students explored their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and hidden talents. They engaged in activities that helped them identify and cultivate their personal hobbies and interests, enhance their skills, and further develop their emotional intelligence. The curriculum also focused on coaching the participants in effective and efficient decision-making, while allowing them to explore new projects and intellectual pursuits.

Students had an opportunity to interact with guest speakers from the Child Development Foundation, Volunteer Vayots Dzor, Community Development NGO, and others. Participants also enjoyed an excursion to Yeghegis Gorge and Siranush Summer Camp, where they spent an afternoon singing, dancing, playing games, and fostering a sense of community. The program concluded with a closing ceremony organized by the participants, to which parents were invited to celebrate the students’ achievements and enjoy the culmination of their summer school experience.

Summer School in Vanadzor

AUA Extension in Lori organized a transformative ten-day summer school focused on cultivating leadership qualities among teenagers. The program was designed to provide an immersive experience that blended academic knowledge with practical application.

Students explored the core principles of leadership, including various styles and the processes involved in evolving from leading a group into developing a cohesive team. Through focused group activities and interactive games, participants were coached to discover and develop their personal leadership potential. The curriculum also included workshops on time management and conflict resolution, which equipped them with additional skills for personal and professional growth.

An important aspect of the program was its emphasis on media literacy. Recognizing the significance of being well informed and productive in today’s digital age, the summer school integrated media literacy into the daily schedule. The afternoons were devoted to English language classes, made more creative through a collaboration with Birthright Armenia. This partnership not only rendered the classes more engaging, but also provided participants with valuable exposure to real-world uses of their newly acquired vocabulary.

At the conclusion of the program, participants demonstrated a well-rounded understanding of leadership and exhibited some of their newly acquired skills. The closing event celebrated their achievements with educational games and the presentation of awards. The closing event was truly momentous, as participants shared reflections on their experiences and leadership, underscoring the personal growth they had undergone and the inspiring moments of the program.

Summer School in Kapan

AUA Extension in Kapan organized a summer school at the Ark Camp in Baghaburj. The program featured creative and practical learning experiences, including pottery class, illustration projects, logo creation, and flipbook animations. In addition to these creative activities, students gained practical skills by developing the budgets for their various business plans on health and wellness projects and drafting their unique tours in ecotourism, gastro tourism, adventure, and survival tourism, also exploring the essential aspects of organic agriculture. 

A career orientation session by an expert from the United Nations World Food Program offered valuable guidance to the students. The summer school concluded with a campfire, where students shared their reflections and enjoyed group activities.

The participants asserted that this had been an excellent opportunity for them to interact with peers in an environment of learning, creativity, and fun that also inspired them to dream big and explore the possibilities within their own communities.

Summer School in Goris

The Goris summer school organized by AUA Extension in Syunik focused on developing communication and leadership skills among participants. The students engaged in various activities to enhance voice projection, body language, and persuasive speech. Mornings included invigorating exercises and cultural excursions, while the afternoons were dedicated to team-building and bonding activities and sports. The program was specifically intended to develop students’ communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

The Extension Summer Schools in all five regions were immensely productive and offered the participants times of joy, learning, teamwork, and self-development. Each program, though distinct, was successful in realizing rich experiences, equipping participants with valuable skills, unforgettable memories, and a strengthened belief in their own personal abilities.

AUA Extension is the non-degree arm of the American University of Armenia (AUA), offering certificate programs, courses and workshops especially geared to meeting the educational needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds, occupations, and professional pursuits. Extension works closely with governmental organizations and corporate entities to identify the specific training areas that must be met. To address those expressed needs, AUA Extension designs and develops a wide range of courses, including language classes, test preparation courses, and professional development workshops in demand, revisited annually. Through its regional centers across Armenia, AUA Extension brings a rich learning curriculum to local residents for them to thrive and aptly contribute to the development of their communities. Additionally, AUA Extension provides testing services on behalf of various international standardized tests for college admission and professional certification.