A head-and-shoulders illustration of Kano. She has medium brown skin, long brown hair and is wearing a darker yellow jacket. She has glasses and is smiling with her mouth open.

small changes feeling big by Kanokwan T. '25

my winter in Armenia

Every IAP, I travel.

I can’t help it. There’s this wanderlust gremlin in me that’s always eager to experience new places. Access to global experiences is one of the reasons I chose this MIT, especially because I didn’t have access to them growing up. I dreamt of seeing worlds beyond my own.

So, I must confess: before this trip, I didn’t know much about Armenia. But, that’s largely why I chose it. There was an allure: what was this place really like?

I was there to teach a renewable energy course at TUMO with my friend Caitlin O. ’25. We taught students how to CAD, circuit-build, and code—culminating in a solar-powered night light. The project was very cute and a good means to pick up skills. The experience was fun for what it was, though an unexpected hurdle came up. Caitlin, unfortunately, fell very ill the 2nd day, so I had to learn some of her material and teach 9 out of the 10 days mostly on my own. (don’t worry, she’s doing much better now) Thankfully, TUMO pairs teachers from abroad with teaching assistants/translators, which was especially helpful since many students didn’t speak English and I had to teach solo on the fly. Despite the challenges, the students’ enthusiasm made the experience all the more rewarding. I found myself always bouncing around the classroom answering questions from eager kids. And their final projects were mad cool.

I lived in the capital city: Yerevan. Our teaching program also covered a day trip out to rural Dilijan.⁠01 (also known as the Switzerland of Armenia, which I found to be quite fitting) A solid mix of fast and slow places. Here are some pictures…

Yerevan

day
Mirror Selfie in a Room – A person wearing a black MIT sweatshirt and glasses takes a mirror selfie in a warmly lit room. Luggage, a wooden chair, and a backpack are visible in the background.
pic 1 — apt arrival
Yerevan Cascade on a Foggy Day – A wide stone stairway with cascading fountains and geometric designs ascends a hill in Yerevan, Armenia. Visitors are scattered along the steps, and modern buildings rise in the background.
yerevan cascade on a foggy day — iconic pretty steps
Tapestry Notebooks at a Market Stall – A table full of richly patterned notebooks with tapestry-like fabric covers, featuring traditional motifs, is arranged neatly at an outdoor market.
pomegranates were all over this flea market... apparently a significant symbol for fertility in Armenia
Market Stall with Embroidered Tote Bags – Two handmade tote bags with intricate, colorful embroidery hang from a stall at an outdoor market. Other handmade crafts, books, and fabrics are displayed in the background.
these symbols represent the Armenian alphabet!
Panoramic View of Yerevan from a Memorial Site – A wide-angle view of Yerevan, Armenia, from an elevated memorial site. The cityscape stretches into the distance, with patches of trees and a monument in the foreground.
mountaintop view of Yerevan
Eternal Flame at the Armenian Genocide Memorial – The Eternal Flame burns at the center of a circular stone structure with towering, leaning slabs, part of the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan.
Eternal Flame at the Armenian Genocide Memorial
Urban Underpass with Graffiti – A dimly lit pedestrian underpass with wide concrete stairs leading up to the street. The walls are covered in posters and graffiti, and two people are seen exiting.
underground sidewalks! these caught me off guard
Electronics Prototypes on a Workbench – Various electronics projects with circuit boards, LEDs, batteries, and 3D-printed enclosures are laid out on a table, appearing to be part of a hands-on workshop.
the final projects! they projected beautifully onto the wall
A screenshot of a virtual meeting shows a group of students in a computer lab on the left side of the image, waving at the camera. They are seated at a long table with desktop computers, keyboards, and other electronic equipment. On the right side, a smiling woman with braided hair is also waving, appearing to be joining the session remotely. The names
cait did join virtually for a day! hosted a cute office hour as well, where kids showed their circuits to the webcam and asked her questions. helped a TON
Group Photo in a Computer Lab – A large group of students and instructors pose for a selfie in a well-lit computer lab with green chairs and Mac computers. The group is smiling and making peace signs.
and that's a wrap! (ignore the pianos; that class met right after us)
night
Graffiti Tunnel at Night – A dark, narrow tunnel with stone arches and scattered streetlights is covered in graffiti and urban artwork, giving it an atmospheric and moody feel.
the tunnel leading to my apartment
Live Concert Projection on a Wall – A concert venue features a large projected display of the artists performing, with musicians playing instruments on stage and an audience gathered around.
some TUMO students + a national musician performed together and it was SO GOOD. head bang worthy
Dressed in Soviet-Era Military Coats and Hats – Three friends pose in a vintage arcade museum wearing oversized Soviet-era military coats and hats, standing among old-school games and memorabilia.
Kingshuk K. '25 (Harvard friend), Dana H. '24 (MIT friend), and I at a Soviet era-themed bar. We met a very cool lyricist and radio talk show host.
Cozy Vintage-Themed Lounge – A warmly lit corner of a lounge features patterned armchairs, framed black-and-white photos, a yellow lampshade, and walls covered with old newspapers and golden patterns.
i love maximalism
Hanging from a Bus Rail in a Retro-Themed Bar – A person in a light-colored sweater hangs upside down from a metal rail inside a bus-themed bar, surrounded by vintage seats, records on the walls, and colorful lighting.
dumb fun
Retro Car Display with Neon Lights – A dimly lit garage houses several old Soviet-era cars, illuminated by red and yellow neon lights and a stained-glass window in the background.
murder vibes (just really old Soviet-era cars in red lighting)
Vibrant Disco Party Selfie – A group of people dance under colorful disco lights, with one person taking a bright pink-lit selfie. The background features vinyl records, decorations, and a retro computer screen.
THEY PLAYED DANCING QUEEN UPON MY REQUEST
Excited Drinks and Game Night – Two friends pose with open-mouthed excitement over a table with drinks, a Beatles-themed card game, and a checkered floor in the background.
dana and I at the Beatles Pub! IMMACULATE vibes. excellent song choice. good dancing. solid drinks. could not complain tbh
Waiter Preparing Traditional Dish – A waiter in a vest and bowtie carefully cuts open a crispy pastry dome at a restaurant, revealing the dish inside. The setting is cozy with wooden furniture and rustic decor.
the food was very mediterranean — here's an interesting one that was cut up in front of us
Blurred Nighttime Cityscape – A moving shot captures a grand, illuminated building in Yerevan at night, with glowing arches and a blurred effect adding a sense of motion.
i have a penchant for taking bad blurry photos of very pretty things. this is the city center

Dilijan

Group Photo with Lake Sevan in the Background – Four friends stand on a hilltop overlooking the deep blue waters of Lake Sevan, with snow-capped mountains stretching into the horizon under a clear sky.
mit friends at the gorgeous Lake Sevan
Scenic Village Path with Wooden Balconies – A stone-paved path winds through a quiet mountain village, flanked by wooden buildings with decorative balconies. A dog stands in the middle of the path, gazing down the road.
artisan villages — lined with people of different crafts: pottery, woodworking, etc
An ancient monastery nestled in the mountains, surrounded by bare winter trees and rugged terrain.
Haghartsin Monastery
Ancient Khachkars (Cross-Stones) Against a Wall – A collection of Armenian khachkars, ornately carved cross-stones with intricate patterns, rests against a black stone wall. One stone is a striking blue-green, contrasting with the others' earthy hues.
more cross-stones!
Close-up of an Ornate Armenian Church Wall – A detailed view of a medieval Armenian church’s stone wall, featuring delicate carvings, an arched window, and historical inscriptions.
the triangle slits are to help prevent breakage from earthquakes
Group Photo at Haghartsin Monastery – Four friends stand in front of the ancient stone Haghartsin Monastery in Armenia, smiling on a crisp, sunny day. The monastery’s distinctive conical dome and intricate stonework rise behind them.
mit crew surrounded by aged stone
Friendly Village Dogs Resting Near a Guesthouse – Two large dogs lounge on the ground while a warmly dressed traveler, wearing a beanie and coat, stands nearby, possibly feeding them.
dana was followed by big scary dogs because she had yummy food. she did not get eaten
Horseback Riding in a Rural Village – A young man rides a brown horse in a rustic Armenian village while a local guide holds the reins. Behind them, traditional stone houses with colorful decorations stand under a bright blue sky.
an mit friend on a horse
Massive Hollow Tree with People Peeking Through – A large, ancient tree with a hollow trunk stands prominently, with people playfully peeking out from its openings. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills and a blue sky.
EPIC TREE TRUNK

I loved finding something new every day.

The cultural differences appeared not in dramatic ways but, instead, subtleties. The city was lined with rose-colored tiles, echoing the beauty of its flower gardens. Armenian was the dominant language, followed by Russian, with English a distant third. A circular park anchored the city’s center, gently curving the roads around it. Cars zipped through the streets like mad, while sidewalks dipped into underground markets.

Seeing both the city and the rural was sweet; I saw the country more as a whole. Pretty mountains, deep history, and wonderfully curious people.

Hajoghutyun, Armenia.

  1. (also known as the Switzerland of Armenia, which I found to be quite fitting)⁠ ↑