Agricultural Exchange Students from Armenia at Fresno State

Since January 2001, Mikael Halebyan and Vahan Papyan, both juniors and long-time friends from Yerevan, Armenia, have been calling Fresno "home."

The 19-year-old Agricultural Business majors, who attend the Armenian Agriculture Academy, were selected to be part of the Armenian Student Exchange Program with California State University, Fresno, after successfully passing a formal interview and the computer-based Test of English and Foreign Language.

Papyan was first to find out about the program through an announcement made by Daniel Dunn, the education manager of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Marketing Assistance Program in Armenia. The USDA MAP program supports the Academy’s American-style agricultural business program and Texas A&M University provides instructors. After informing Halebyan about the opportunity, the two decided they had nothing to lose by applying to go to Fresno, but were still pessimistic about passing the interview and the TOEFL. After two months of uncertainty, the students found out they had scored the highest and were selected to study at California State University, Fresno for the Spring 2001 semester.

So far, Halebyan and Papyan have had a positive and comfortable stay in Fresno.

"The nature of people is different here," Halebyan says, comparing how Americans and Armenians think and act. Halebyan says he is here for the education and to experience living alone and gaining independence.

For Papyan, the best thing about being in America is taking advantage of the higher education system as well as meeting new and interesting people. "The best way to study about a culture is to live in it," Papyan says.

Halebyan, who started his college career as a veterinary major before realizing business had more to offer, is interested in entrepreneurship.

Papyan wants to attend a prestigious school, such as Harvard or Purdue, and enter the Master of Business Administration program. He would then like to go on to a career as CEO in the field of international business relations as well as stocks and bonds.

Papyan says Armenia is too small a country to provide sufficient opportunity for business. Also, conditions there are government-conscious and not supportive towards new businesses.

"In Armenia, with our economic situation, it’s impossible to earn as much as you want with science. The government has stopped financing scientific projects within Armenia," says Halebyan, both are taking Introduction to Armenian Studies, and are involved in the International Business Association, a social program that organizes agricultural events. At these events, those interested can meet with businessmen and get an idea of what international business is like, Papyan says.

They both have become involved in the Armenian Students Organization on campus.

Both Halebyan and Papyan are enjoying their time in Fresno, but it has been hard for them to be away from their families and friends. They keep in touch by e-mail and try to phone about once a week. The students are scheduled to head back to Armenia in August, but before their departure they will participate in a paid internship during the summer.

Halebyan and Papyan say that Armenians here have been very attentive to them and they are proud of what Armenians have accomplished in the U.S. "I only hope that Armenians never forget they’re Armenian," Papyan says.

"And that they try to keep their culture," Halebyan added.

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