YEREVAN, Armenia — As Summer 2025 comes to a close, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Extension has concluded the fourth year of its summer school program, held across five regional centers: Vanadzor, Gyumri, Goris, Kapan, and Yeghegnadzor. This year, the program brought together more than 70 enthusiastic boys and girls ages 13-15, each returning to school with joyful memories and valuable knowledge and skills that will support their personal and professional growth for years to come. The programs were packed with diverse topics, interactive workshops, and engaging activities aimed at availing participants the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge of English and gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, career orientation, digital literacy, leadership, creativity, and teamwork.
Participants explored the essentials of entrepreneurship, delving into business planning, market analysis, budgeting, and marketing. Guided by experienced mentors, they learned how to transform ideas into action, using digital tools such as Canva, CapCut, and Lightroom to design promotional materials, create engaging presentations, and use artificial intelligence for their own creative projects. The analysis of real-world challenges encouraged problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking, while the sessions on leadership, team building, and presentation skills prepared them to share their knowledge and experience with confidence.
Another key topic of the Summer School was career exploration, which helped participants discover their skills and explore the ways to succeed in a variety of professions. They practiced self-awareness and goal setting, discussed the importance of informed decision-making, and connected with inspiring guest speakers — from startup founders to alumni who shared their own exploration journeys. Field visits to local enterprises and cultural landmarks enriched the learning process, showing how knowledge transfer occurs beyond the classroom.
English language learning was an integral part of the two-week program, aimed at strengthening participants’ speech fluency in a practical and engaging way. Through dynamic role-plays, interactive games, and group discourse, students practiced their communication skills in real-life situations, upgrading their use of English for social media content creation and for delivering presentations that make an impact. Vocabulary was introduced and reinforced through speech, enabling learners to immediately apply what they learned in groupwork, individual assignments, and public speaking.
By the end of the program, participants had developed strong technical skills while building their confidence, collaboration, and creativity. They formed new friendships, made valuable connections, and created memories that will last for years. More than just a seasonal initiative, the AUA Extension Summer Schools provided a platform for young people to explore their potential, learn from one another, and envision a future where they can shape their communities with knowledge, creativity, and purpose.
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.
