Hayk’s life lessons from his village, education, and army years 24 September 2022 By Nane Vardanyan 3 min read Eighty-five percent of COAF scholarship holders are female students from rural Armenia. Though empowering young women as active members of societies is a principal approach to our education initiatives, engaging young men and providing them opportunities…
Oak Hut: your sweet escape to the mountains of Dsegh village 29 August 2022 By Nane Vardanyan 3 min read Everyone has their own way of resting and boosting productivity, but there’s one method recommended by the youth living in Dsegh — a village of the most abundant nature, rustic lifestyle, and rich cultural heritage…
The Romanian chapter of my life | Ani Ghulinyan 15 July 2022 By Nane Vardanyan Photo courtesy of Ani Ghulinyan 4 min read They say once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before. We believe once in a lifetime studying somewhere you’ve never been before should be a challenging yet rewarding experience as well. …
Anush’s semester in Italy’s vibrant, historical region of Sicily 17 July 2022 By Nane Vardanyan 3 min read “You may have the universe if I may have Italy” – Giuseppe Verdi. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience. Studying abroad in a country of unparalleled beauty, great passions, and hidden gems like Italy is something extraterrestrial. …
From borderline Koti village to sunny Spain and back 15 May 2022 By Nane Vardanyan Photo courtesy of Tatev Sepkhanyan 3 min read A 20-year-old girl, who is proud of her curls, chooses vibrant colors in her everyday looks, and “worships” the sun and the sea found herself in the country of floral balconies, sunny…
Going deep into people souls with Stella Avetikyan 29 January 2022 By Nane Vardanyan 3 min read When you go deep into the human soul, you find deep people. Stella Avetikyan, one of the first graduates of the COAF SMART Center, belongs to that human “genre.” “Very Deep” («Շատ խորը») is also called the initiative…
The hidden energy of Vanadzor and one of its youngest artists 3 December 2021 By Nane Vardanyan 2 min read “There is a hidden potential and immense energy in Vanadzor (the third-largest city of Armenia),” believes 19-year-old Levon Harutyunyan, a former student of Lori’s COAF SMART Center. The energy is within urban artists who play…
An Armenian student’s journey of starting university in Yerevan 3 September 2021 By Nane Vardanyan 3 min read The new academic year presumes many rural Armenian youths moving to Yerevan, Gyumri, or Vanadzor (the cities where most state universities are located) to start university in their preferred professional field. Aghunik Shambaryan, a COAF SMART student…
The female basketball coach and her 100 students 6 June 2021 By Nane Vardanyan Photos by: Knar Babayan 3 min read The COAF car gradually reaches the village school, and as soon as it stops, the kids hurry up to open the door from the outside and greet their coach. The reason for their impatience…
Raising a village you were raised in: Zorakan 2 May 2021 By Nane Vardanyan, Photos by: Knar Babayan 3 min read It takes a village to raise a child. It takes children to raise a village. Childhood memories may be varied. “I was overjoyed when my parents took me to the farm to either sow…
Air rich in oxygen, clean food, and breathtaking nature all around are some of the luxuries of Koti village of Armenia’s alpine Tavush region. Urban people would be jealous to live in such surroundings, and if so, they may have to pay for it possibly a lot.
“SMART has been the school of my dreams” – Rudik Gharibyan, the first SMART Citizen, who finished the SMART Citizenship curriculum this week, summarizes his two-year journey at the COAF SMART Center and is getting ready to go to the army today.
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