Support Aram's Journey to UWC Dilijan

Dear Donors,

Hello, my name is Aram Baghdasaryan. I am a 16-year-old refugee from Artsakh – soon to become a student at United World College Dilijan, one of the most distinguished high schools in the world. UWC is a global movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.

This year, following a highly competitive, multi-stage application process run by the Armenian National Committee, I was selected as one of only 20 students out of 500 contestants from Armenia, to attend UWC for the academic period of 2025-2027. I was awarded a scholarship of $88,000 covering my tuition, accommodation, boarding and medical insurance for two years.

Despite this generous scholarship, I still face a significant financial barrier. I need to raise $300 for my enrollment deposit, purchase a laptop for academic use and cover several essential educational needs. Altogether, these expenses total $3,000.

This is the gap I am hoping to bridge with your support.

To help you better understand what this acceptance means to me, I will include a little backstory.

I was born in Stepanakert, Artsakh – a region suspended in political ambiguity and instability. During the 44-day war, like tens of thousands of Armenians, my family was forced to flee our hometown – carrying little more than our documents, memories and the will to return. We eventually settled in Yerevan, where we continue to rebuild our lives. Ever since education has been my means of making sense of a fractured world and imagining a more just and humane one in return.

In 2024, I was accepted to the British International School of Armenia with a 100% scholarship. Later that summer, I was selected to participate in “Just Dilijan It!” UWC short course as one of the best students from Artsakh, receiving a full $3,800 scholarship.

It was there that I decided to apply to the United World Colleges.

9 months later I received my admission letter to UWC Dilijan!

Starting from August, I will join a global community of 220 students from over 80 countries. UWC Dilijan follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) – a globally respected curriculum now used in over 5,000 schools. At UWC Dilijan I will study alongside peers from every continent, united by a commitment to peacebuilding, equity and collaboration. This experience will not only provide me with an exceptional education but also open doors to leading universities worldwide, further enabling me to achieve my dreams.

This is the education I have spent years working toward and with your support I can begin this new chapter equipped and prepared.

I am and will forever be thankful for whatever support you can offer me; every contribution is of great importance in the pursuit of my dreams. There are many ways to change the world. I’ll make sure your contribution is one of them.

With heartfelt thanks,

Aram Baghdasaryan

What is UWC?

What is the United World College in Dilijan?

What is the IB Diploma Programme?