Nare Ghalamkaryan (BAEC ’22): The Pursuit of Creativity Through AUA

YEREVAN, Armenia — Nare Ghalamkaryan (BAEC ’22), recipient of the American University of Armenia (AUA) Academic Scholarship, is a creative specialist at Zuck Independent Agency. She graduated from AUA in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English and communications.

Passionate about film and cinematography, Ghalamkaryan initially began her studies at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography. After one semester, she decided to change direction and applied to AUA. The wide variety of courses offered by the English and Communications program provided her the opportunity to explore subjects such as filmmaking, writing, literature, and photography, which fortified her passion for arts and creativity.

“I wanted to become a cinematographer. During my studies at AUA, I took two courses in filmmaking by Zareh Tjeknavorian. His teaching methodology and love for his work inspired me. Although I knew the technical aspects of filmmaking, the courses were still invaluable. I created short films during the Covid-19 pandemic and the 44-Day War in Artsakh. The topics ranged from a reflection on my feelings to isolation. Another short film I created was a documentary, which I filmed on an old camcorder,” recalls Ghalamkaryan.

In addition to her love of filmmaking, Ghalamkaryan has a unique voice as a creative writer. As part of her assignment for the Expository Writing course, she wrote a piece about her grandfather, who passed away when she was thirteen. The narrative essay resembles a conversation between herself and her grandfather, an artist who was her icon. Within the scope of the course, Ghalamkaryan also wrote a story about the village where her grandparents used to live. The piece is a reflection on the summer vacations she used to spend in the village.

When speaking about quality education in Armenia, Ghalamkaryan remarked on the importance of having qualified professors and programs in the arts in Armenia. She believes that the influence of proficient teachers and artists can revolutionize the creative industry in Armenia.

“There are many talented and creative people in Armenia who simply need the platform to explore, learn, and express themselves. I hope that AUA will take a step in this direction and launch an arts program in the future. AUA combines creativity with strong academics. The courses were challenging, but they allowed me to acquire skills that will remain with me for the rest of my life. I look forward to seeing the University’s future accomplishments,” concluded Ghalamkaryan.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.