On May 2, 2019, we had an interview with YSU Ijevan Branch graduate of 2012 academic year, Branch Office Manager of Northern Branch of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, and employee of Dilijan Community Center, Varsik V. Nerkararyan.
– Please tell us your birth date and place.
– I was born on June 26, in 1991, in Ijevan.
– Please tell us a little bit about your family.
– My elder brother is a lawyer, and in 2017 he founded “Nerkaranyan Law Office” in Ijevan and has since been providing advocacy services. My younger brother deals with entrepreneurship.
My parents’ work is the most difficult and hard one. They always help us.
– What was your childhood dream?
– I wanted to become a translator or teacher. Now I can say that both of my dreams came true. Sometimes I also dreamed of working in some large and interesting organization, I wanted a job not just to work, but to live with that job. I also managed to make that dream come true. Now my only dream is to work in rose garden.
– What education did you receive?
– I have received my formal education at YSU Ijevan Branch. I studied at the Faculty of Humanities, Department of the “English Language and Literature”. I have a Bachelor’s degree. In parallel with my formal education, I have participated in various short-term and long-term trainings and seminars in Armenia, France, Hungary, Russia, Georgia, Poland, Turkey and Germany.
– What role did YSUIB education have in your life?
– To put it briefly, I can say that I learned to learn at YSUIB. I have gained not only knowledge, but also experience.
– What work experience do you have?
– In 2012, when I was a student, I worked as a Student Ambassador of the “American Councils for International Education Armenia”. At the same time, together with Tamara England, Peace Corps Volunteer, organized and conducted English language free trainings at YSUIB. I still remember, almost always I went home from the university at 7. Undoubtedly, it was tiresome, but it was meaningful, as I was learning something new every day. In parallel with this work, I was conducting volunteer English language trainings at Ijevan Branch of SOS – Children’s Villages International.
Since 2014, I am teaching at “Scholae Mundy” Charitable Foundation of Dilijan Community Center (Former IDeA Foundation).
I also worked as a translator/ interpreter at OSCE Armenia. Former researcher at UNICEF Armenia.
In 2013, I worked as a junior trainer at European Youth Center Budapest (Hungary).
Right after I returned from Budapest in the same year, I started working at the Northern Branch of Eurasia Partnership Foundation, first as an office and program coordinator, now as a director of programs and office. We are now implementing the projects “Ijevan Infotun” and “Public Participation in Local Self-Government”.
– What is your favorite book?
“At the moment, two books came to my mind,”A Captain at Fifteen” by Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson’s” Treasure Island “.
– What is the last book you read?
– Mark Manson’s “The subtle art of not giving a F*ck”, and frankly speaking, I didn’t like it.
– What music do you prefer and what is your favorite song?
– I like Bluz, jazz and so-called classic rock. I have lots of favorite songs in these styles: Frank Sinatra – “Killing me softly”, “Fly me to the moon”, Lenoard Cohen – “Leaving the table”, Chris Rea – “And you my love “,” The way you look tonight “,” Blue café “,” Thinking of you “: These are the songs I always can listen, regardless of my mood.
– What is your favorite movie?
– I am not a movie fan, but almost every week we gather to watch some movie. My friends suggest what to watch. Watching the movie is an opportunity for me to meet and talk with friends more frequently.
– Do you have a favorite sport?
– Sure, I like badminton, volleyball and tennis. Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunities of the latter.
– What is your favorite place in Armenia and abroad?
– In Armenia, I love Ijevan, in particular, the Monuments Park of Ijevan. I also love Dilijan, which has become my second home. I love Abovyan street in Yerevan.
I love Strasbourg most of all, especially its riverbed alleys. The other city that I liked is Berlin, which I call a human-centered city.
– What qualities do you value in people?
– I can mention four important qualities: politeness, intelligence, decency and modesty. These qualities are also a prerequisite for me to build relationships.
– Do you have a favourite quote or slogan you are guiding?
– At different stages of my life, I had favourite quotes, but now I do not have them, or they have become so close to me and maybe even a lifestyle that I do not notice.
– What will you never do?
“I’ll never touch a spider, but who knows, it’s life.
– “What are you afraid of?”
-Undoubtedly, I have many fears, but I even try not to think about them.
–“Why are you sorry?”
– I do not regret for anything, because I am sure that at the moment I’ve done everything I could, even if something went wrong.
– What helps you make a decision in difficult situations?
– Keeping calm in any situation, making no quick decisions and viewing the situation from different sides.
– What do you think is the biggest accomplishment of your life?
– I believe that I have many accomplishments and realize and appreciate them, for example, my education, my job, my family, the warmth and love of my family that we all create in our family, but I do believe that my greatest accomplishment is still ahead. On the other hand, I tend to think that there is no greatest accomplishment, there are many accomplishments that help you become, what you are now.
– What is your formula for success?
– I do not think it is possible to have a definite formula that works in all situations, because I think that there is no alike case in life. For every situation and purpose, we need to create a new formula.
– What is the most invaluable advice you have received?
– Usually I do not like receiving and giving advice. I like to hear opinions and make my own conclusions. Please do not consider this arrogance
– What is the main message that you would give to young people (in particular, YSUIB students)?
– As I said that I do not like giving advice, I will say what helped me to succeed. I never thought I was tired or lazy, at first I never thought about how much I would earn, but I wondered what new skill, ability, knowledge and experience it would give me. I’ve been working as a volunteer for a long time, if I find time, I do it even now. It gives me the opportunity to try something new, to learn something new.
If I needed something that was not available at the University, I have thought of how I could get it. For example, when I was studying English, we did not have English Native Speakers. I knew Peace Corps volunteers and suggested inviting them to our University. I applied to the Dean, the latter talked with the director, so as a result, we not only have a volunteer that year but also already the fourth volunteer is coming to YSUIB. There is also an English Resource Center, where English trainings are organized and where you can find manifold English materials and literature.
And, finally, I have never heard people telling me that I can not do this or that thing if I know exactly what I want to do and how I tried and now I am trying to surround me with positive people.
– Thank you very much for such an exceptional interview.
Interviewed by YSUIB Public Relations and Media Responsible Hasmik Vanyan.
