Let's Invest in Milena's Future in Finance

“I’ll hold onto the world tight some day. I’ve got one finger on it now; that’s a beginning.”

― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

 

My name is Milena, and I've spent my life strongly espousing the adage that an opportunity for education is an opportunity for a better life. Born and raised in a small town of Armenia, an ancient country in the mountainous Caucasus, I always had the determination to achieve greater heights. My parents have done everything possible to support me in all of my endeavors. Thanks to them, I moved to the capital to earn a bachelor's degree in Business from the American University of Armenia (AUA), the only US-accredited university in the country.

 

Three turning points in my life:

My life changed dramatically due to the vibrant ambiance of AUA, its high-quality education, and the abundance of opportunities it generously offered. I got a chance to experience a different reality. A reality close to the one we can see in American movies where students have the freedom to express themselves, professors encourage out-of-the-box thinking, and liberal arts education forms the backbone of the university. We had professors from different walks of life who were the top-tier professionals in their fields. Their diverse mindsets and perceptions were perhaps the most significant asset we lacked in traditional Armenian education.

As a sophomore, I was among those few lucky students who got an opportunity to study abroad. What could a semester in a coastal city in the far eastern part of Andalusia give me? Maturity, independence, networking skills, life lessons, and more. Perhaps one of the most interest-provoking parts was exploring new cultures in the scope of university courses: working on projects with international students from all corners of the world. Only then, I realized the importance of studying in an international environment; the invaluable insights we get from exchanging ideas, knowledge, and experiences.

When working at SmartGateVC, a Silicon Valley pre-seed venture capital fund, I discovered a whole new world for me: the Armenian startup ecosystem. It was then that I realized how smart and innovative our people are and how promising our future would be if we dedicated sufficient efforts and resources to its development. I want to see Armenian startups grow and become unicorns, taking their businesses to the global stage. I believe in our people and want to get a high-quality education to, together with them, contribute to our country.

Armenia is going through tough times, still recovering from the past years' war losses. Maybe a lot can change if we invest enough money in education and science. Perhaps this is the means to prevent future conflicts and stand firmly on the side of peace. And I want to be one of those change-makers, pioneering quality education as the cornerstone of the country's development!

Yesterday, I received an acceptance letter from EU Business School Munich. Studying a master's degree abroad in a highly-ranked institution has always been my lifelong dream. Now imagine my excitement; I am granted the chance to pursue my postgraduate studies in the economic capital of Germany! The program, Master in Finance, uncovers topics on asset pricing, portfolio management, and blockchain fundamentals, among others. This is the industry I am passionate about and where I see myself in the foreseeable future! I have chosen EU Business School since its program covers the layers of modern finance I am interested in. The learning environment promises to be personalized and interactive with real-life case studies, game and business simulations, field trips, company visits, and more.

Have you ever felt the spiritual and emotional fulfillment you get after helping someone in need? Or how little is needed to make an impact on someone's life? How do little things accumulate and transform into something significant?

 

Yes, it's the little things that make a big difference!

 

My whole life, I have done my best to help others through sharing knowledge, money, advice, or just the daily mood. I have always tried to act and be supportive, no matter how small of a difference I make. Big or small, it does not matter. If each of us made a small difference, we would eventually end up with a big one, wouldn’t we?

I also believe I am not the only person whose dopamine levels increase when they do little things to support others.

 

Currently, I need YOU to accomplish my goals. All the donations made here will be used to cover my tuition fee and university-related expenses. I will also apply for different scholarships and put all of my savings to afford this opportunity.

 

And eventually, with quality education helping others won't be limited to little things. I will be able to share my solid knowledge and experience in Finance with people and use my professionalism to develop my country. And most importantly, I will be able to become an INSPIRATION!

 

Wholehearted thanks to everyone who will donate and share! I believe in my fundraising success because I have YOU, the best people out there! ♡

 

Below you can have a look at the BUDGET BREAKDOWN. 

 

 

Here is the link to my Acceptance Letter.

You can also have a look at my Resume.

Visit EU Business School website for more details.