18 U.S. students arrive at YSU to study Russian and explore Armenia

"I have always been interested in diplomacy and dream of working for the United Nations. Russian is an important language in the fields of national security and international relations, so I decided to study it," said Jack Smith, a fourth-year student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, explaining his decision to study Russian. 

His classmate, Valery Vayserberg, said she came to Armenia out of an interest in the country's history. She noted that she will take a course in the fall that includes the study of Armenian history and therefore wanted to see the country in person while also improving her Russian-language skills.

Julian Gorn, a second-year student at Oberlin College in Ohio, said his family background also influenced his decision to study Russian. "My mother speaks Polish, so learning Russian is somewhat easier for me. In addition, I have always been interested in historically rich Russian-speaking regions such as the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe," he said.

According to Julian, YSU offers a strong and comprehensive program that combines academic coursework with cultural components. As one of Armenia's largest and most important universities, he said, YSU was a logical choice for gaining a deeper understanding of both Armenian culture and the Russian language.

Although he has not yet had the opportunity to study Armenian, Julian said he hopes to attend Armenian language classes alongside his Russian studies during the program. For now, he knows only a few Armenian words.  

Speaking about her expectations, Valery said her primary goal is to speak Russian more confidently and without hesitation by the end of the program. She is also interested in learning Armenian to adapt more easily to the environment. 

Before arriving in Armenia, the students were already familiar with several facts about the country. They knew that Armenia was the world's first Christian nation, were acquainted with the history of the Armenian Genocide, and were aware of the biblical traditions associated with Mount Ararat.

"What has surprised me most in Armenia is how approachable people are. In the United States, people place a lot of importance on personal space, whereas here people are more approachable and open; it’s simply a cultural difference," Smith said.  

Highlighting other aspects of daily life in Yerevan, Valery added: "Coffee here is completely different. Yerevan has many green spaces and statues, and people are friendly. Another cultural difference is that people pay a great deal of attention to how they dress, whereas in the United States we tend to dress more casually, in shorts or hoodies."  

During their eight-week stay, the students—many of whom are visiting Armenia for the first time—will not only study Russian but also explore Armenian culture, interact with local youth, and visit various historical and cultural sites across the country.

Education and culture combined in one program

Anna Margaryan, Coordinator of the Russian Language and Area Studies Program, said the initiative is implemented through cooperation between the American Councils for International Education and Yerevan State University. Under the program, 18 students from universities across the United States have come to Armenia for two months to study Russian at the YSU Faculty of Russian Philology. 

As part of the program, an orientation session was held today to prepare the students for daily life in Armenia and within the university environment. Such meetings are designed to help participants adapt more easily to their new surroundings and become familiar with both the academic process and everyday life.    

"This is the fourth year the program has been running at Yerevan State University. Students participating in the summer session will study Russian through an intensive two-month program. They come from different U.S. states and are primarily majoring in political science, international relations, and the social sciences," Margaryan said. 

She noted that the program has several components. Students study at YSU, live with host families, participate in cultural visits, and interact with Armenian students, using Russian beyond the classroom.   

"Our goal is for them to communicate in Russian not only in class but also in daily lives. For that reason, we introduce international students to YSU students and organize joint visits to theaters, museums, and cinemas. In addition, weekly excursions are arranged to various sites across Armenia, including Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Garni, and the Matenadaran," the program coordinator said.  

She added that Armenia provides a favorable environment for learning Russian as the language remains widely used in public life, while the YSU Faculty of Russian Philology offers a specially designed intensive program for international students. 

As part of the program, students also learn about Armenia's history and culture and may choose to take Armenian language classes.  

"Our goal is not only to improve language proficiency. It is equally important that students gain international experience, live in another country, become familiar with Armenian culture, and discover the region from a new perspective," Margaryan said.

Lia Evoyan, Head of the Department of Foreign Citizens, said participants should make the most of their time in Armenia by learning about the country's culture, daily life, and people. She noted that such experiences are important not only for education but also for building intercultural connections.

Graham Hettlinger, Director of Higher Education Programs at American Councils for International Education, highlighted the value of initiatives that allow American students to study Russian and Armenian while exploring the region's culture. He said the program is not only an academic experience but also a serious commitment that requires dedication and active participation.