I was nine years old when my grandfather took me to the first peaceful demonstrations of my life. Sometimes, by “criminal conspiracy,” we would skip my chess training to attend another rally. He would walk with me to the rallies hand in hand, telling me about history and politics, and explaining the logic behind political processes in a way a child could understand. Those conversations, the people I met there, and the political speeches I heard left a lasting impression on me and sparked a curiosity that has stayed with me ever since. I took with me two important qualities for the next stages of life: to always strive to be informed and to never be indifferent.

In today’s world of informational noise, aggressive propaganda, and constant threats, the world, and especially our little corner of it, has become an even more dangerous place for the ordinary citizen trying to make the right political choices in pursuit of a decent and dignified life. The disproportionately large responsibility, the fear of being blamed, and targeted propaganda often make people indifferent, stripping them of their most important political right: the right to choose and to shape governance.

On April 23, I received the long-awaited letter: I have been admitted to one of the world’s top social science universities, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). I will be pursuing an MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour). My aim is to study how societies behave during elections and political processes, especially in divided societies. My broader goal is to gain the knowledge that will help me contribute to reducing the growing societal division in Armenia, to better understand political behaviour, and to support evidence-based solutions that can pull us out of the swamp of indifference.

MY GOALS

I am Knarik Jalatyan, a political scientist with a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs from the American University of Armenia. I have recently been admitted to the MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where I will have the opportunity to specialize in the interdisciplinary field of political behaviour.

LSE is one of the world’s leading universities in the social sciences, renowned for its strong research focus. Being admitted is a unique and transformative opportunity for me. What makes it even more meaningful is the vision of returning to my homeland equipped with advanced, cutting-edge knowledge to help address the challenges we face. I know that no one else will solve our problems for us, and our solutions must be rooted in evidence and science.

I dream of a country where the chain of societal division is broken, citizens are informed and engaged with our country’s future, we don’t fall prey to trained helplessness and the propaganda of apathy, and we stand up for our rights and our homeland. If I can contribute the knowledge I gain to that vision, I will consider it the greatest success.

The tuition fee for this one-year program is £28,900, and university accommodation in London costs around £14,000. This amount is beyond what my family and I can afford. Thus, I am seeking your support to help cover the costs of my studies and housing.

ABOUT ME

After the devastating war in 2020, I decided to become a political scientist. Learning has always been my way of coping with difficult times: seeking answers to complex questions was a habit I developed at Ayb High School. Over time, I turned my anger, defiance, and frustration into a relentless drive to explore, learn, and understand, making that habit my superpower. This same drive led me to pursue a Master’s in Political Science and International Affairs at the American University of Armenia, where I set out to explore questions like “Why?” and “What can I do?” As part of the program, I also spent a semester at the University of Iceland’s Faculty of Political Science through an academic exchange program, focusing on Security Studies.

But my most important lesson and vivid memory from these student years was our class trip to Artsakh right before final exams, to participate in a conference organized by Artsakh State University in memory of the fallen in the Third Artsakh War. In Artsakh, I once again reaffirmed the answer to the most critical question: “Why am I doing this?”

A cornerstone of my academic and professional path has been the commitment to expand, pass on, and share the knowledge and experience I have gained. Today, I am a member of the Ayb Alumni Club, a mentor to three younger graduates, and am actively engaged in community life. I worked as a teaching associate at the American University of Armenia for two years and am now involved in a research project. I currently work at the "Amrots" National Development Foundation as Programs Manager, where we support and empower Armenian youth, fostering their national awareness and creative development.

Feel free to reach out through social media to learn more about me. 

Facebook

LinkedIn

HOW TO SUPPORT ME

To accept the university admission offer and apply for a student visa I need to provide proof of funding amounting to £28,900 by July 31. The results of the external scholarships I applied for will only become available in August, and even then, they will not cover the full amount.

I also need to sign a rental contract by September, which requires an additional £14,000, making it £42,900 in total.

I will update the information on this page as soon as I receive updates on my scholarship applications.

My family’s and my own savings will cover the living and travel expenses in London. However, the tuition and accommodation costs are far beyond what I can afford on my own.

You can view my admission letter and budget via this [link].

You can support me through the reArmenia platform or use the information below:

INECOBANK KNARIK JALATYAN

Bank account

AMD: 2050088420851001

USD: 2050088420851020

EUR: 2050088420851040

Card Number

5406610004673682

For transactions from Russia

Мелконян Сергей Георгиевич

Bank account: 40817810300034419342

Bank: Т-Банк

Card number: 5536913952284764

Thank you!

Yours sincerely,

Knarik