Ruben Tsarukyan: Seeking Global Understanding

I am fascinated by world news, especially global politics. As a young child, my family immigrated to Los Angeles from Armenia because of civil unrest after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Following graduation from high school, I looked for a program that would match my passion for studying international politics.

So, I researched the University of Idaho and from the UI website, I found the International Studies Department and arranged to talk with student advisor Kelli Schrand. After meeting with Kelli, I knew that the Martin Institute’s program in international studies was a great fit for my interests.

The institute has given me an education I could not have received from anywhere else. Our professors genuinely care about their students and that atmosphere sets students up for success. The institute has made me feel like I am part of a tight-knit family where everyone is working collectively to help each other succeed. I have also found another family at Idaho my fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, has given me a home away from home, the drive to grow as a man, and incentive to achieve more.

Your support of the International Studies program makes all of this possible. Receiving a scholarship has opened up a lot of doors for me - it’s a phenomenal incentive for me to excel and achieve unprecedented heights in my studies.

Article by Ruben Tsarukyan.