My name is Astghik Baghdasaryan, and I am from Armenia. This autumn, I will start my studies in the Sustainable Building Engineering programme at Sapienza University of Rome. To make it possible, I need your support.

Before I explain why I need your help, I would like to tell you where it all started.

I grew up in Armenia, in a small village called Sasunik, in a family of educators. Even though we never had unlimited financial resources, my parents always treated education as an opportunity rather than an expectation. They encouraged my curiosity and believed that if an opportunity appeared, it was worth pursuing, even if it required extra effort.

One of my earliest childhood memories is sitting on the floor with a box of Lego bricks. My mom always took time to play with me, as I was the first and only child in our family at the time. We would pour every piece onto the carpet and build our own houses, little neighborhoods, and people, hardly ever following the instruction booklets. At the time, I didn't realize those childhood afternoons were shaping my future.

As I grew older, my interests did not change much. Construction sets, puzzles, and drones were regular items on my Christmas wish list. Making them work was never enough. I carefully assembled and disassembled each one, examining every part to understand how it was built and how it worked.

I continued my journey at TUMO Technological Center, where attending classes meant traveling from our village to Yerevan every week. My father never considered distance a problem. He believed that if there was an opportunity to learn, we would find a way to make it happen. That belief became part of my own mindset.

At the age of sixteen, I was given the opportunity to spend one academic year in the United States. My exchange year was fully funded through the FLEX program, where I was selected as one of the scholarship recipients. I was introduced to new cultures, new perspectives, and friendships that continue to shape me today. During that year, I also joined my American high school's robotics team, where I worked alongside other students to design, build, and improve robots, further strengthening my interest in engineering.

As the years passed, my childhood curiosity developed into a genuine interest in engineering. The questions I used to ask while building with Lego became questions about buildings, structures, and materials. That curiosity eventually led me to apply to Sapienza University of Rome.

To support my studies, I have applied for the DiSCo Lazio scholarship, which could significantly reduce the financial burden of studying in Italy. However, the scholarship results are expected only after I need to relocate. Before I can begin my studies, I need to secure accommodation, pay a rental deposit, and cover the initial expenses of moving to a new country. These are costs my family cannot manage on such short notice.

That is why I created this fundraiser.

The funds raised will help cover my first months in Italy while I wait for the scholarship decision, including accommodation, the rental deposit, transportation, and basic living expenses. Every contribution, regardless of its size, will help me begin this next chapter without delaying an opportunity that I have worked toward for many years.

Whether you decide to donate or simply share my campaign with others, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your support means much more than financial assistance—it gives me the chance to begin this new chapter and continue building the future that started with a box of Lego bricks.