Asya Poghosyan: From Small Town Vanadzor to the World Stage

Three years ago, Asya Poghosyan arrived at the COAF SMART Center in Lori with two friends from Vanadzor. What began as a new experience quickly became a transformative journey. At SMART, Asya immersed herself in creative projects, picked up new languages, and developed the soft skills that would shape her path forward.

A self-described “professional” volunteer and lifelong learner, Asya never imagined that she would one day study abroad. “Growing up in a small town like Vanadzor, it didn’t seem possible,” she shares. But her time at SMART—and the chance to explore new places through various programs—opened her eyes to new possibilities.

Now, she’s preparing to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology overseas.

“Young people in villages often don’t have access to opportunities like SMART—whether it’s creative thinking or project design,” Asya says. “COAF’s impact is huge.”

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