New York-Yerevan Videoconference Connects Armenian University Students on Many Levels

On March 14, over 40 Armenian university students from five universities in Armenia and six universities in the greater New York area took part in the first-ever New York–Yerevan student video conference, organized by AGBU's Armenian Students Forum (ASF) and the AGBU Young Professionals of Yerevan.

Representing various college levels and majors, participants came from Yerevan State University, the French University, the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, Yerevan State Pedagogical University and the Yerevan State University of Economics in Armenia, and Columbia University, Hofstra University, Hunter College, Nassau Community College, Queens College, and Rutgers University in the United States. The discussion of issues concerned Armenian students today, with emphasis placed on the differences between student life in Armenia and the US.

After a brief introduction, the American students were able to familiarize themselves with the practices of higher education in Armenia directly from their peers and to relay to them their experiences of college learning. Apart from the structure of education, the students also discussed less formal subjects such as gender perceptions, family roles, job prospects, the global economic crisis as well as the elections in Armenia and America and their implications for Armenian students. Topics such as stereotypes of diasporan Armenians and "Hayastantsis" (Armenians from Armenia) and cultural differences were made evident at some points and created some enlightening moments.

Shant Dosttur, a sophomore at Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY, said, "As we began to speak about things related to school and leisure time, the awkwardness began to dissolve, and I started to see that both our groups relate." The students also discussed perspectives and views regarding Armenian Genocide recognition and its importance on a global scale, highlighting the difference in the consequences of the outcome for those living across the border from Turkey, as opposed to those living an ocean away. The relations between diasporan Armenians and natives of Armenia weighed heavily in the discussion, and great hope was expressed for increased collaboration between the two. "Bonds created among students in different parts of the world will encourage Armenians throughout the world, especially the young generation, to go visit their homeland," expressed Nane Ghazarian, a junior at Hunter College in New York City.

Not surprisingly, after some time, both groups of students soon saw their discussion proceed along a more lighthearted, humorous vein, and inevitably the forum was punctuated by a number of witty jokes and anecdotes. The atmosphere of what evolved into a three-hour cultural exchange was well described by Henry Dumanian, a sophomore at Hunter College, who said, "I constantly hear about ‘the people of Armenia' as if they were some distant people. This conference put a face to them and gave them voices. It also helped us see that even though we live an ocean and two continents away, we share the same concerns and hopes for our nation."

This unique event proved to be an excellent opportunity for many of the students to feel more connected to their peers living on the other side of the Atlantic and to feel more strongly the bond that is shared by all students, no matter where they are in the world. "It was a very interesting experience, a chance to get to know better the Armenian young people in the U.S. We are willing to participate in another meeting if there is a chance," Yerevan students Lusine Iskandaryan and Ani Nargizyan expressed collaboratively.

Formed under the guidance of the University Outreach division of AGBU's Education Department, the Armenian Students' Forum (ASF) fosters cooperation among the various university student groups in an effort to establish a united front of Armenian student organizations. While helping to raise awareness of Armenian issues, it provides a platform for future collaborative opportunities. To date, the ASF has drawn support from the Armenian student groups of seven universities in the NY/NJ area, having encouraged the creation of two of those groups (Fordham University and Hunter College). The group meets monthly with the hopes of creating a viable platform for interaction, communication, information-sharing, and joint planning of educational, professional and social events between the constituent groups.