Testimonial by Christian Petrillo

At first, I was a bit hesitant to take part in a Persian summer school in Armenia. However, after three weeks of learning with a great professor, Leili, and getting to know Khachik and the rest of the staff of ASPIRANTUM, I can say that I had one of the most enriching experiences of my life. In just three weeks, the course greatly helped me expand my Persian vocabulary and improve my writing and speaking skills. I also enjoyed the reading of many Persian poetry classics and the lectures on various subjects that took place as part of the course. I wish I could have stayed for the entire six weeks and would encourage any student who seriously wants to improve his or her Persian to do so.

Armenia itself is a mystifying land and a great location for a summer school. From the bustling streets of the capital city of Yerevan, to the mountains of Dilijan, to the shores of Lake Sevan, there are many beautiful corners of the country to explore. Khachik and the staff of ASPIRANTUM were very generous in organizing great excursions for the students, always accompanied by copious amounts of delicious local food and drinks. Yerevan also has great museums, restaurants, galleries and an up and coming nightlife scene, full of wine bars, pubs, cafes and nightclubs. The city is also safe at all hours of the day, and the locals are extremely friendly and helpful to visitors.

Armenia also shares a border with Iran, and during the summer months the country is flooded with Iranian tourists. This offers students of Persian an amazing opportunity to actively use their Persian and communicate with Iranians in a friendly setting. Iranians are always so warm and friendly and appreciate who study their language and appreciate their culture. As an American, this especially warmed my heart and helped me realize that my study of Persian is truly worthwhile.