Help Emili pursue a Master's degree at Brown University!

Everything in life happens for a reason, we’re getting reassured about this more and more every day… 

Let's meet, my story and Brown's program

Բարև, I’m Emili. An Armenian student graduating this year from my Bachelor in Data and Business Analytics at IE University in Spain, where I made the most of every opportunity I was given. I am proud to be in the top 5% of my class in the Honours Program and have received a 85% scholarship, as I have worked hard to turn my education into something much bigger than a degree. For me, studying abroad was never only a personal dream. It was a chance to grow, to represent my community, and to build the knowledge and experience I can one day bring back to create meaningful impact.

Now, life has offered me another incredible opportunity: I was accepted to Brown University, an Ivy League school, to pursue a master’s degree in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at the School of Engineering in the PRIME program. This program is exactly where my background in data science, technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship comes together. But even with a 65% scholarship that the program has offered me, I can't manage to pay the full tuition alone.

Achievements and Impact

During my bachelor’s years in Spain, I treated education as something that should lead to action. Beyond academics, I represented Armenia at the Council of Europe, where I worked to bring Armenian youth voices into European discussions on digitalization, AI, and policymaking. I also helped strengthen student communities by contributing to both the Google Developers Student Club and the Armenian club.

At the same time, I worked continuously to gain professional experience. I interned as a Data Scientist at Picsart and as a Technical Business Developer at Amazon Web Services. These opportunities became possible because I chose to study abroad and pushed myself to make full use of every door that opened. They gave me not only practical experience, but also valuable mentors, networks, and confidence in what I can achieve next.

Looking back, I know I made the most of my undergraduate years. That is why I am certain that, if I am given the chance to attend Brown, I will make the most of that opportunity as well.

Why Brown University?

I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I have participated in multiple startup competitions, hackathons, and innovation programs because I have always been drawn to building solutions, not only analyzing problems.

One of the highlights of this journey was winning first place at the Tech Venture Bootcamp (2024) with a computer vision agricultural startup idea later moving to Venture Lab (2025). I also had the opportunity to represent IE University and compete at Cornell University (2025) alongside PhD students, where I reached the finals with my team. As well as participate in hackathons such as the one in Hertie School in Berlin (2024). These experiences confirmed something important for me: I do not just want to work in innovation. I want to create it.

That is why Brown’s master’s in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship feels like the right path. The program combines engineering, business, decision-making, and entrepreneurship through courses such as: Business Engineering Fundamentals, Engineering Management and Decision Making, Technology Entrepreneurship & Commercialization, Globalization Immersion Experience & Entrepreneurship Laboratory…

I will also have the opportunity to take two electives at Harvard University, complete an internship during the second semester, and take part in a Silicon Valley immersion week experience., this is not just a degree. It is an ecosystem that can shape the future I want to build.

My long-term goal

I want to build my own company with a strong social impact. I want to create solutions that matter, especially for communities that are often overlooked and for countries like Armenia that need ambitious, globally-minded young professionals who are ready to come back, contribute, and build.

Volunteering and giving back to the community has always been a central part of who I am. I have been a board member and executive team member of the Youth Development Center of Armenia, and I have contributed to initiatives such as the FemInno Conference and Sevan Startup Summit. 

I strongly believe attending Brown will help me to achieve it.

Why I need your help

Brown University has already recognized my potential and awarded me a major scholarship.

My tuition was reduced by 65%, from about $73,000 to $26,000. Receiving this scholarship was a huge honor and a sign that they truly believe in me.

Still, as an international student, the remaining tuition cost is more than I can manage alone. Throughout the last four years, I have been a working student and managed two jobs alongside my studies. I saved as much as I could, and those savings will help cover visa costs, travel, and housing for my first semester. But they are not enough to cover the remaining tuition.

This is why I am asking for help.

I need support to raise the remaining $26,000 for tuition so I can attend Brown and continue building the future I have worked so hard for. Every donation brings me one step closer to being able to say yes to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Why your support matters

You are investing in someone who has already spent years turning opportunity into action. Someone who has represented Armenia internationally, supported young people, built communities, worked while studying, and kept moving forward despite financial challenges.

I know what this opportunity can become because I have already seen what studying abroad has made possible in my life. It gave me the chance to grow academically, professionally, and personally. It allowed me to access spaces and experiences that once felt far away. And it gave me the tools to start giving back in bigger ways.

Now, Brown can take that journey to the next level. I will use this experience to grow into the kind of founder, leader, and innovator who can create real and lasting impact.

Thank you for believing in education, in ambition, and in the power of giving someone the chance to fully step into their potential.

Անչափ շնորհակալ եմ, որ աջակցում եք և հավատում ուժերիս

– Emily

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