Not just a profession, but a world of discoveries: YSU graduate reflects on her journey

Jasmin Loretsyan, now a graduate of the YSU Faculty of European Languages and Communication, defended her final thesis just days ago. For her, the years spent at YSU were much more than lectures and exams. They were years of self-discovery, experience, and personal growth.

"During those years, I not only gained knowledge, but also began to better understand my interests, goals, and vision for the future," she said.

– Jasmin, today, now that you have graduated from YSU and look back on your student journey, what moments do you remember first? Are they more connected with specific events, people, or inner feelings?

– At first, I remember the day I first stepped into the university. I was very emotional because everything was new: a new environment, new people, and a new stage of life. At that moment, I did not yet imagine how important a role YSU would play in my life and how much would change.

Today, when I look back, I understand that the most valuable thing was the path I went through during those years. I entered the university as a student who had many questions about the future, and I am graduating as a person who knows herself better, is more confident in her choices, and has a clearer understanding of her goals.

I think it is this growth and these changes that I remember first when I think about my student years.

– What did YSU give you not only as an educational institution, but also as an environment for personal development?

– YSU gave me much more than professional knowledge alone. It taught me to think independently, take responsibility for my decisions, and not be afraid of new experiences. Here, I learned to express my thoughts with greater confidence and to look at the world from a different perspective.

– What was most important for you in the university environment: knowledge, connections with people, or the process of finding yourself?

– I think these three are interconnected, but if I had to choose one, I would say finding myself. It is during that process that you begin to understand who you are, what you want, and in which direction you want to move.

– It is no secret that student life is not easy. It is often accompanied by both academic workload and various psychological challenges. In your case, what were the biggest difficulties you faced during those years?

– I think the biggest challenge was time management. There were periods when I had to prepare for exams, work on research papers, and think about future plans all at the same time. Sometimes I also had extremely high expectations of myself and tried to do everything perfectly.

Over time, however, I realized that student years are precisely for learning, making mistakes, gaining experience, and continuing to move forward. Looking back, I can say that those difficulties made me more organized, patient, and goal-oriented.

– During your student journey, was there an experience that not only opened new opportunities, but also changed your attitude toward your own abilities and the future?

– Yes, I think that experience was the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ program. Before that, international programs seemed somewhat distant and like overly ambitious goals to me. But when I started preparing, applying, and going through the entire process, I realized that we create many limitations in our own minds.

The experience of studying abroad taught me to be more open to new opportunities, not to be afraid of unfamiliar environments, and to believe confidently in my own abilities. I think that experience significantly changed my mindset and my attitude toward the future.

– Jasmin, what motivated you to apply for the Erasmus+ program, and how easy was it to make that decision?

– Languages and different cultures have always been at the center of my interests, and since my student years I had thought that, if I had the opportunity, I would like to study abroad for some time. When I learned about the Erasmus+ program, I realized that this was exactly the opportunity I had long dreamed of.

But the most important thing was that I was not alone on this path. My parents believed in me from the very first day and always supported my decisions. Honestly, without their trust and encouragement, it might have been much more difficult to take that step. My desire, hard work, and my parents' support together became the force that enabled me to participate in the program, go abroad, and gain that exceptional experience.

Thanks to YSU, I had the opportunity to go to France through the Erasmus+ program and study at Paul Valery Montpellier 3 University, where I spent the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. My first impressions were very vivid. On the one hand, there was excitement because it was my first time spending a long period in another country. On the other hand, there was a sense of responsibility. Since Montpellier is known as a "student city," it naturally has a multicultural student environment, which made the experience even more interesting.

What was most unusual for me was people's attitude toward one another. In France, it often happened that even strangers would start conversations very easily and naturally on public transport, at the university, or simply in the city. That directness surprised me at first, but later it became one of the most interesting parts of the experience. It was also pleasant to see how well they knew Armenia. Whenever people found out I was Armenian, they immediately mentioned Charles Aznavour. That gave me a sense of pride and showed how important a mark he had left not only on French culture, but also on world culture. At the same time, it was very interesting to communicate with students from different countries and get to know different cultures.

The experience showed me how important an international educational environment is and how many opportunities can be created when you are ready to step out of your comfort zone. It gave me greater confidence in continuing my education in the future and participating in international master's programs.

– After returning, what did you appreciate most in Armenia and at YSU?

– After returning, I began to appreciate the presence of my family and relatives more, as well as the environment that is close to me. Returning to YSU was also a special feeling, because I had come back with new experience and a new worldview. And, of course, I began to appreciate Armenian cuisine more. French cuisine is wonderful, but, honestly, later you realize that nothing can replace Armenian dishes prepared by your mother.

– Let us turn to your final thesis. What was your research topic, and how did the defense go?

– My final thesis was about the influence of Anglicisms on French. I have always been interested in languages and in how they develop and change over time. This topic gave me the opportunity to study that phenomenon in greater depth. During the research, I analyzed how English borrowings enter French, especially in young people's speech, the media, digital communication, and everyday life.

I worked on the thesis for quite a long time and with great dedication, and the topic was very close to me. As for the defense, I can say that it went very well. Of course, like any student, I was nervous, but when I began presenting my work, I already felt confident in the research I had done and in the topic I had chosen. After the presentation, I felt that my months of work had received a worthy conclusion.

– If you were to describe your student years in one word, which word would you choose?

– I would choose the word "discovery." Discovery not only of knowledge, but also of people, new opportunities, and myself. When you are a first-year student, it seems that the university is simply a place to receive an education. But over the years, you understand that it is also a path where you discover your strengths, interests, dreams, and goals. For me, my student years were exactly such a path, full of discoveries, challenges, and beautiful memories.

– Today, what would you say to the Jasmin who was just beginning her student journey?

– I would say: do not doubt your abilities. Use every opportunity, even if it seems frightening at first. If first-year Jasmin had been told that a few years later she would study in France, discover a new culture, and return more self-confident and more mature in the educational sphere, she might have found it hard to believe. But it is precisely such experiences that shape us.

– If you had the opportunity to relive your student years, what would you do differently?

– Honestly, I would not change much, because even the difficulties and mistakes played their role in shaping who I am. But if I could change something, I would probably worry less about small things and believe in myself more. I would also use the opportunities more often that at first seemed unreachable or too bold. During your student years, you understand that sometimes the most interesting experiences begin exactly at the moment when you decide to step out of your comfort zone.

– If you imagine yourself several years from now, what kind of person and specialist would you like to be? What role will education play for you on that path?

– Several years from now, I would like to see myself as a specialist who not only has a strong command of her profession, but also continues to learn, develop, and take an interest in new ideas. I want to be a person who can communicate with representatives of different cultures, is open to the world, and is ready for continuous improvement.

Education has a fundamental role in that path. I have never viewed it only as a means of obtaining a diploma or acquiring a profession. For me, education is a way of thinking, a worldview, and an opportunity to constantly broaden one's horizons. It is thanks to education that I have discovered new opportunities, participated in international programs, and shaped the goals I am striving for today.

– Today, now that you have graduated from the university and are summing up this important stage, what goals do you have? Do you plan to continue your education?

– Yes, continuing my education is definitely part of my plans. I think that, especially in our time, learning does not end with graduation from university. I want to continue my professional development and deepen my knowledge in the fields of languages, intercultural communication, and international education.

One of my goals is to continue working on myself, gain new experience, and participate in programs that will give me the opportunity to develop not only professionally, but also personally. I want my knowledge and experience in the future to serve the creation of connections between people, mutual understanding between cultures, and effective communication.

For Jasmin Loretsyan, the years spent at YSU became a stage during which she not only acquired a profession, but also lived in an environment where she discovered her own potential, gained valuable experience, and clarified her future path.