Grigoryan: 6,211 miles from home

Initially, turning heads in the halls, the unfamiliar name and unique sense of style can strike up a conversation quickly. The “new kid” always captures the attention of their peers as everyone enjoys getting to know a fresh face. However, when you meet someone new from a different country, the curiosity grows. Exchange students are a rare occurrence in South Dakota, only adding to the speculation about life in other countries.

Varduhi Grigoryan has experienced life on both sides of the globe. She has traveled roughly 6,000 miles from her friends and family to Sioux Falls, SD from Armenia to experience a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Through this experience, Grigoryan was able to see how people in America go about their daily life. This adventure could seem challenging for the average eye but not for Grigoryan.

“I felt like my life was the same every day. I wanted a change because I just want to experience new things, and I love doing new things and exploring the world in another perspective,” said Grigoryan.

At first, the most intriguing entity Grigoryan experienced was the traditional American household. In the U.S. there is one family per house with just their immediate family, but in Armenia it is very common not only to live with your immediate family, but your distant relatives such as grandparents as well.

“I live with my mother, father, sister and brother, but my brother currently lives in Russia with his wife and two children. I also live with my grandmother because we usually live with our grandparents,” said Grigoryan.

Not only is housing a little bit different 6,000 miles away, but schooling is another change Grigoryan was not expecting to face.

“The schools are very different, like very different. The full 2,000 people in a school is so much. In my school, there are like 400 [students]. Mine is not just high school, it is first grade through 12th grade,” said Grigoryan.

The thought of going back to elementary school ways of being with the same people every day all day is not something people usually wish for, but Grigoryan knew nothing different.

“One thing I like about this school is that you have different people in different classes. In Armenia, we have the same classmates from first through 12th grade, so we grow up with the same people [our whole life],” said Grigoryan.

Not only is the upsurge in students a large change, but the level of difficulty in schooling is another factor Grigoryan was not anticipating.

“I think [schooling] is easier here… We can choose subjects here but in Armenia, we can’t. We learn 18 subjects during the year, and we don’t choose them,” said Grigoryan.

The idea of being far away from home could be fascinating, though 6,000 miles is a stretch, to say the least. Though the many valued experiences and firsts outweigh the distance, Grigoryan desires the sense of normalcy Armenia brings.

“It is actually harder than I thought. First, when I came I didn’t notice it. I was like ‘oh I don’t miss my family’ but then as the time has passed, it has become more difficult,” said Grigoryan.

However, Grigoryan is not new to exchange student life as some of her friends and family have been exchange students before, encouraging her to take this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“My friends [have been exchange students] and distant relatives, so I heard about the program from them, and they recommended that I should do this,” said Grigoryan.

Armenia and its natural beauty will always hold a special place in Grigoryan’s heart. From going on excursions with her friends to walking through the capital city, Yerevan, it is near impossible to run out of things to do and places to see.

“I love to go walking in the capital city because it is beautiful. I also like exploring new places because our culture is very ancient and there is no way someone can go to every place there, so I like going on excursions with my friends and classmates,” said Grigoryan.

Despite the challenges faced with being 6,000 miles from home, Grigoryan has adapted and learned to love her new home for the year. Not only has she experienced how the other side of the world lives, but also how fulfilling taking those chances can be.