Born in Siberia, I spent my formative years navigating life between Russia and Armenia. Driven by a commitment to meaningful causes, I volunteered for a variety of initiatives, from supporting children of migrants from post-Soviet countries in Saint-Petersburg to promoting sustainable tourism in Armenia.
I hold a B.A. in linguistics, specializing in English and German. My academic journey included a three-month exchange program in Germany, where I also earned a language certification. My professional experience spans the IT sector, but I ultimately decided to realign my career path.
My commitment to peacebuilding in the South Caucasus is deeply personal, as my grandparents were from Nagorno-Karabakh and my mother spent her childhood in Baku. I also hope that more of my queer Armenian friends choose to stay in Armenia, which reinforces my dedication to advocating for LGBTQI+ rights and strengthening Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) protections, both in Armenia and throughout the Caucasus region. I envision the region evolving into a peaceful center where we collectively champion human rights and justice. Despite challenges, I am optimistic that the persistent efforts of grassroots organizations and civil society will ultimately foster progress in human rights across the South Caucasus.
I discovered the Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice (MAHRSJ) program while perusing the American University of Armenia (AUA) website and subsequently decided to attend its Open House events. Visiting the modern AUA buildings for the first time was impressive. During the event, I was pleased to learn about the program’s interdisciplinary nature, which is crucial for me as I lack a background in international relations or law. This aligns with my goal of continuing my activism and supporting grassroots initiatives.
I started my MAHRSJ studies in the fall of this year and am set to graduate at the end of 2025. This semester, I am taking two core courses and one elective. My classes present me with numerous new topics to digest, motivating me to engage in significant independent research outside of lecture time.
One of our core courses, the Seminar in Human Rights and Social Justice, offers a comprehensive overview of what human rights entail — and what they do not. Although we are only in the ninth week, the volume of new information I have absorbed is substantial. This course has helped me define future research interests in the field and generate ideas for my master’s thesis next year.
I recommend aspiring students pursue this major with clear reasons behind their interest in the field and specific areas they wish to explore, such as refugee rights or women’s rights. I would also advise them to keep abreast of the latest research conducted by professors so that they can seek guidance from those who are best aligned with their research goals and academic aspirations.
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