I was born in 1986 in Kanakeravan, Kotayki Marz. Throughout my life, I have always known that helping others would be an integral part of my career. I have been raised in a family with the belief that we must constantly strive to touch the lives of the people around us. It was my mother (a school teacher), and then my brother (a recipient of the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program) who have been a big source of inspiration for me to recognize the value of a good education in my journey towards the world of knowledge. Thanks to their encouragements in the third grade, I received the first reward of my academic career: our school principal presented me with the "Student of the Year" certificate and called me "a little teacher".

Previously I had assumed that I, a high school student from a village school, wouldn't be able to compete with those from city schools. However, in my senior year I successfully applied for a school exchange program (FLEX) and went to the United States to study in an American high school (which I graduated with Honorary Diploma). After returning home I entered Yerevan State University where I received Bachelor's Degree and afterwards Master's Degree in Pedagogy and Philology (again I received Diploma with Honor).

During secondary school, American high school and university, I searched for my identity. I looked at many possible career paths, yet I always came back to education. It is the only profession that perfectly matches my personality and goals, and gives me the ability to fulfill my lifelong dream of making a significant impact on our society through education. I have been shaped into the type of individual who cares strongly about her surroundings, and strives to use her knowledge to help individuals to receive a quality education which will enable them to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.

While in the university, I volunteered for Kanakeravan Secondary School as an English teacher. There I have come to realize that major challenges in Armenian education system still remain: these are to abolish educational discrepancy existing between rural and urban areas; improve equality and quality; increase access to education for ethnic minorities, women and girls; encourage successful students and expedite educational reforms according to our national priorities and international requirements.

Thus, Comparative and International Education Program within Teachers College at Columbia University will empower me to bring change and innovative approaches in the field of education.