Syuzanna Sargsyan received her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the American University of Armenia (AUA). She is currently the CEO and founder of Dream Bridgeman International School in Armenia. Her experience at AUA was not only about quality education but also about empowerment. Syuzanna was deeply impressed by the academic environment and distinctive culture at AUA, which served as an inspiration for her in founding her own school.
How did you decide to pursue your master’s degree at AUA?
At the time, I had already completed a master’s degree in law and was working in the legal field, but I felt a strong desire to deepen my understanding of international law, especially within a framework that balances global standards with Armenian legislation. AUA’s LL.M. program stood out to me for its rigorous academics, forward-thinking curriculum, and strong sense of community. It offered exactly what I was seeking — a place to grow professionally, critically, and ethically.
What are the values AUA has instilled in you?
The University instilled in me core values, including a strong sense of responsibility toward society. AUA taught me that success is meaningful when it contributes to the public good. Another value is the global mindset with local roots. I became confident in navigating international systems while staying grounded in Armenian values.
Please describe your professional journey following your graduation from AUA․
After graduating from AUA, I passed the bar exam and was licensed as an advocate by the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia. I went on to lead an international law firm, where I worked with clients from different countries.
It was a demanding and fulfilling chapter that strengthened my leadership, legal strategy, and global perspective. However, in 2020, during the Artsakh war, something shifted in me on a deeper level. I started thinking about the long-term future of our country and realized that true nation-building begins with education.
That very moment was the start of a new chapter in my life. I founded Bridgeman Oxford International School, where I now serve as CEO. Our goal is to give Armenian children a world-class and globally recognized education, one that helps them succeed internationally, while staying connected to their roots and national values. My aim is to create a bridge, an environment where children learn Armenian language, history, and values with pride, while also gaining skills such as critical thinking and language fluency.
Today, we also welcome international students, creating a diverse environment where children learn to interact with different cultures and perspectives.
How has your experience as an AUA student inspired you when establishing your school?
My very first visit to the AUA library truly left a lasting impression on me. It represented a space that invited curiosity and a deep respect for learning. At that time, it wasn’t common to have access to such well-organized digital resources and such a calm, focused atmosphere. The space was filled with a calming, quiet energy. It inspired students to sit down, concentrate, and truly study. We could spend hours there, reading, exploring, and preparing for exams and group projects.
That spirit remained with me and inspired me to turn our school library into more than just a room filled with books. It is a welcoming, open space where children feel free to explore, read, and discover on their own. I often think back to my experience at AUA when designing the libraries and learning spaces in our school campuses. I try to recreate that sense of peace and intellectual curiosity for our students.
In terms of teaching, my AUA experience reinforced the importance of critical thinking, dialogue, and interdisciplinary learning. While the school’s context is very different, especially with younger children, we have adapted similar principles in age-appropriate ways. We encourage students to ask questions, express ideas, and connect what they learn to the world around them.
How did AUA’s LL.M. program influence your career path?
At AUA, I gained a strong foundation in international and comparative law, along with key skills in legal research, writing, and critical analysis. These became essential when I was leading an international law firm, where I had to navigate complex legal systems across jurisdictions. Later, when I transitioned into the field of education and founded a school, those same skills, especially strategic thinking and legal structuring, helped me build an institution from the ground up with strong governance and a clear vision.
The LL.M. program made me think broader. I realized that education is not just about knowledge — it is about empowerment. AUA showed me how powerful it is to think independently, act ethically, and lead with vision.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in establishing your school, and how did you overcome them?
Starting a school during the pandemic and after the war was very difficult. The biggest challenges were gaining parents’ trust, finding the right team, and keeping high academic standards from the start. I overcame them by staying focused on the mission, being open with families, and working with people who truly believed in our school’s vision.
What is your vision in education that you want to accomplish through your school?
My vision is to raise a generation of Armenian and international students who are confident in who they are, where they come from, and fearless in where they can go. Armenia’s future will depend on how well we educate our children, not just to adapt, but to shape the future.
What are your biggest achievements in these four years since you established the school?
There are several milestones I am proud of. We have successfully developed a trilingual, values-based curriculum that merges international best practices with Armenian heritage. We have grown into a trusted institution that now serves over 300 students and employs a team of passionate, highly qualified educators.
But perhaps the most meaningful achievement is that our standard of education places equal importance on academic excellence, emotional well-being, cultural pride, and global citizenship. We have shown that it is possible to nurture capable, confident, and compassionate children within a modern and inclusive educational framework.
What are your bigger plans moving forward?
We are working to expand Bridgeman by founding a high school. Our parents frequently ask us what comes next. They want their children to continue in the same environment that supports academic excellence, values-based development, and global readiness. A big part of our vision is also creating meaningful job opportunities in Armenia and building a professional environment where teachers and staff feel supported, motivated, and happy to come to work each day.
How important is it to you to maintain a connection with your alma mater? How do you see yourself doing so?
It is very important for me to stay connected to AUA because it is not just a university, it is a community I will always be part of. One of our professors once told us, “Don’t underestimate the ripple effect of your work when it is driven by purpose.” This advice has stayed with me till now and continues to remind me that meaningful work, even on a small scale, can have a powerful and lasting impact. It became especially real to me as I began creating an educational environment that influences not only children but also their families and the broader community.
To me, giving back is a core value. It means using what you have learned and achieved to help others grow and succeed. Through my work in education, I strive to give back every day by creating access, quality, and opportunity for generations to come. I also believe in giving back to institutions like AUA that helped shape who I am today. Whether through mentoring, sharing knowledge, or supporting students, I see it as a privilege and responsibility to give back to the community that once gave so much to me. I believe that is how progress becomes sustainable and shared.