Matevos Mheryan

• JAA Student 1999-2003
• 2004 Summer Study Abroad participant
• Currently studying economics at Yerevan State University

"Before studying in the JAA program, I didn’t have any idea about economics, business, and free enterprise. The JAA course teaches students what economics, democracy, and free society are. I have been associated with JAA since 1999. In the 9th grade, I studied Applied Economics and receive a certificate of completion. At the end of that year, I took part in a competition and as a winner I was sent to JAA summer camp in Dzaghkadzor. At camp, I participated in many different and interesting competitions. I won first prize in the stock market simulation! In 2004, I took part in another, more rigorous competition organized by JAA. As one of three winners of this competition, I was given the opportunity to study in Canada and the U.S. in summer 2004.

"After studying economics for five years, I imagine my future either in the banking system or in some other business field. My dream is to become a bank manager and I hope to realize it in the very near future, after I complete my studies at Yerevan State University.

"In my opinion, JAA has changed my life. For the first time, I was able to study economics at school. I love the subject matter and am now continuing my higher education in this very field."

Karen Sarkavagyan

• JAA Student 1998-2000
• 2000 Summer Study Abroad participant
• Yerevan State University Graduate: BA in Economics; MA in Economics and Finance
• Currently an Associate with Cascade Capital Holdings in Yerevan, Armenia

“Before taking the Applied Economics course and participating in JAA’s summer camp back in 1998, I had no clear idea of what I would study and what my future career path would be. JAA’s economics course served as a lighthouse for me, but that was only the beginning.

“In summer 2000, I was selected to participate in JAA’s Summer Study Abroad program in the United States. I began my trip at an economics camp in Wooster, Ohio. Then, we traveled to Minnesota to meet representatives of the Cafesjian Family Foundation. Finally, we made our way to California, where I met a number of high-ranking Armenian businessmen and politicians. This three-week trip played a most important role in my life. The experience and knowledge I gained, as well as the valuable conversations I had with the people I met, have all made an extremely significant impact on my life.

“In 2003, I graduated with a BA in Economic and entered the masters program in Economics and Finance at Yerevan State University. At the same time, I was working as the local public relations coordinator for the Armenia Tree Project. The job was important and interesting, and I believe I brought certain value to the organization. Currently, I am concentrating my efforts on becoming an economist specializing in finance. I am working for Cascade Capital Holdings as an Associate. To a major extent, I owe JAA credit for most of my academic and professional achievements. With all my heart, I am grateful to the organization and to the caring people who are working to help young people define their life’s ambitions.”

Anna Gasparyan

• JAA student 2001-2003
• Currently a high school exchange student with Future Leaders Exchange Students (FLEX) in the United States

“I am currently living in the United States as an exchange student. I am participating in a program for foreign high school students sponsored by the American Councils, called Future Leaders Exchange Students (FLEX). This is a cultural program funded by the United States Department of State.

“I am living with an American host family in Canton, Georgia and am a junior at Sequoyah High School. My host family and I get along perfectly and I have made a lot of new friends at school. I participate in Volunteer Community Services and am doing great in all my subjects. I can say with confidence that all my friends and teachers respect and love me. Some of that respect and love I was able to earn because of my character and personality. However, mostly it was thanks to the wonderful education I received in Armenia, which is very much appreciated here.
“I first became aquatinted with JAA when I was in the 8th grade. I enrolled in the civics education class because the subject interested me. Very soon, I started to study it with great love and commitment. After civics, I enrolled in Applied Economics, which was even more exciting to me!! I learned a lot of important and interesting things, which I have begun to fully apply in my own life.

“Here in Georgia, I'm taking Government at school, and because I've already taken civics education in Armenia, it's really easy for me to study it in English. My teacher is always surprised whenever she tries to teach a new topic because she quickly discovers that I already know a lot about the subject.

“I use my knowledge not only at school, but in my daily life as well. We discuss politics and economics with my host dad pretty often. Once he said that the life would be a lot easier if there was no government at all. I disagreed with him and we had a small argument about it. Recalling my knowledge from JAA’s Applied Economics class, I explained to him that we need government. In order to prove my point, I gave him an example of the importance of protecting the systems that secure the free market. It didn’t take long for him to admit that I was right.

“I’m also participating in the FLEX Civic Education Workshop, which is going to be held in Washington DC. In order to apply for this workshop, I had to write an essay on civic education. All the information that I learned in the JAA course in Armenia was key to my winning this important scholarship.

“JAA has helped me in many different ways. Thanks to JAA’s civics and economics courses, I am participating in this extraordinary exchange program. I have utilized my knowledge to quickly adapt to my life in Georgia and am grateful for this opportunity. I hope you'll regard me as one of your best and brightest students!!”