This story is part of the “Scholarship Stories: Where Are They Now?” series, highlighting the journeys of AUA alumni whose education was made possible through donor-supported scholarships. This story features an AUA graduate who received support from the Yes, Armenian Women Can! campaign, which played a key role in her academic and professional development.
As a young girl, Karine Beglaryan (BSCS ’24) found inspiration in the journey taken by her older sister, who pursued her master’s degree at AUA. At just 15, Karine witnessed her sister’s enthusiasm in taking this significant step in higher education. “Seeing how excited she was to go to university every day made me excited for the future that I could have,” she reflects. This early exposure ignited in her a passion for education and a desire to carve her own unique path.
When it came time for Karine to consider the next step in her education, AUA stood out for its flexible course options. She loved the idea of choosing her classes and having the freedom to express herself outside of her chosen career field. The very notion of exploring her myriad interests appealed to her, especially as she faced the challenging task of deciding on a career at the young age of 18. The open-class system at AUA allowed her to glimpse the possibilities ahead, especially in programming and math, both of which became subjects she adored.
The transformative moment came when she learned she had received the Jack Munushian Charitable Trust Endowed Scholarship. “I used to teach English at an online school,” Karine recalls, describing the moment she saw the notification during a class. “I had to physically restrain myself from dropping the class and calling my mom.” The thrill of that moment was met with a rush of emotions, leading her to feel a weight lift off her shoulders, as paying her tuition would have been a significant obstacle without the scholarship. “Getting into AUA was my primary goal for two years, so when I got the news, it felt like a burden was removed. Until that point, everything felt unreal, but with the scholarship, I felt grounded and ready to take on any obstacles that would come my way.”
Through her studies at AUA, Karine learned invaluable lessons about discipline, hard work, and dedication. The various general education classes challenged her to step outside of her comfort zone, fostering a sense of extroversion and curiosity that she carries with her today. She became more confident in approaching people, ready to tackle any situation that could challenge her. “I keep that curiosity with me right now.”
Today, Karine has transitioned into the professional world as the lead automation quality assurance (AQA) engineer at Grid Dynamics, where she manages a team working on projects with an American company. “I utilize so many valuable skills from AUA in my career today,” she noted, particularly emphasizing the depth of programming knowledge she acquired during her studies. “I wouldn’t have been able to obtain this position without passing those classes.”
Karine is thrilled about her career in bioinformatics, a field about which she has long been passionate. As she leads her team and mentors upcoming quality assurance engineers at Grid Dynamics, she finds deep fulfillment in guiding others from their early careers into more advanced positions. She knows that in giving back and sharing her knowledge, she can help future generations achieve their dreams, just as she has been able to realize her own.
Reflecting on her journey, Karine expresses profound gratitude for the scholarship she received. “I can’t even explain how touched I was when I received it. This scholarship made my dreams come true,” she says. For her, education is a privilege that not everyone has the opportunity to access, and this support realized her dreams in ways she could have only hoped for. “It made me realize that one day, I, too, would love to give back to the community, the way my donor gave to me.” With aspirations to one day become a donor herself, she hopes to leave a lasting impact on future students. “I would love to teach and try to be as present as I can as an alumnus,” Karine enthusiastically shares.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.