Nora’s New Chapter After War: A Helping Hand That Changed Everything

Nora Balluyan, originally from Artsakh, spent just 19 days studying at Artsakh State University before her life was abruptly interrupted by the Armenian Azerbaijani war. Following the displacement of 2023, her family resettled in Armenia, marking the beginning of a completely new and challenging chapter.

“At first, it was really hard to live here and continue my studies,” Nora recalls. Back in Artsakh, she had studied English, German, and Russian. However, at Bryusov State University, she found herself enrolled in a French-English program, surrounded by students who were already fluent in French. “It was difficult to keep up,” she says.

Nora applied to change her department, but the only option was to transfer to a paid program. For her family, this was a major obstacle. “We were living in a rented apartment. Only my father was working, while my mother was taking care of my bedridden grandparents,” she explains.

That’s when Nora learned about the Fund for Armenian Relief. She applied and, through the Matevosyan Scholarship, was able to cover her tuition and continue her studies in her preferred program—English and Russian.

“The support was incredibly important for both me and my family. It helped me get back on my feet,” Nora says. “First, I needed to continue my education and then prove that I could be a high-achieving student.”

Thanks to her strong academic performance, Nora was later able to return to a tuition-free system. But at that critical moment, the support she received made all the difference.

“Everything in Armenia felt new and a bit overwhelming at first. We were living in the Parakar community, and even getting to university every morning was difficult. There were stress and fear. The support I received wasn’t just financial, it was emotional. You felt that you weren’t alone,” she shares.

Today, Nora works at a “Learn to learn” language center, teaching English primarily to Russian-speaking people. She also actively participates in seminars and continues to deepen her language skills. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a master’s degree, as education has always been a core value in her family.

This year, her family will also receive Armenian citizenship. Nora’s biggest dream is to earn enough to not only support her family but also to one day buy a home in Armenia.