2001_03 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper March 2001

              4
Hye Sharzhoom
March 2001
Agricultural Exchange Students from Armenia at Fresno State
By Arpik Paraghamian
Staff Writer
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 com
puter-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.
              — ■■   —               ' 1 *«
\        **'
p
jdtiH HI
:■..-'■■""■■■
Vahan Papyan
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 entrepre-
neurship.
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
Bedlam and Other Stories
a one-man dramatic performance
written and performed by
Aram Kouyoumdjian
Aram Kouyoumdjian is a co-founder of Vista Players and serves as that theater
group's Artistic Director. He recently won an Elly Award
as Best Director of a Drama for the Vista Players production of Three Hotels, a
Sacramento premiere that was nominated for Best Overall Production of a Drama.
Tuesday, April 17,2001
7:30 PM
Alice Peters Auditorium
University Business Center • California State University, Fresno
Co-sponsored by the Armenian Students Organization
and the Armenian National Committee, Fresno Chapter
Admission is free and the public is welcome.
Please call 278-2669 for more information.
Mikael Halebyan
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.
USU Productions' Center Stage Presents
Chookasian
Armenian
Concert
Ensemble
March 30,2001
7:00 PM
Whitfield Hall • Satellite Student Union
• Community Supporters
$10 and $15 at the door
• Fresno State Students
$5 and $7 at the door
Tickets at USU Information Center • 278-2078
S8