Modern-Day Pioneers

July 2026

When Ani Harutyunyan was eight years old, her parents sent her from their home in Armenia to a boarding school in India where she could learn English. Ani would write letters to her family in English to practice her new language, and her mother would take those letters to Latter-day Saint missionaries to translate them into Armenian. 

Letter translation led to gospel discussions, and in time Ani’s mother was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When Ani turned 17 and returned home to Armenia, her mother introduced her to the missionaries, and Ani was also baptized. 

Ani is now married, the mother of three children, and raising her family in the gospel. She desired to continue her education so she could help support her family, but she found that difficult to do as a parent and with limited options in Armenia. Then she learned about BYU-Pathway Worldwide from her local Church leaders. 

“BYU-Pathway works for me because it’s remote and it’s affordable,” says Ani, who receives donor-funded tuition discounts. “And I really love the environment. The connection and care I receive from my instructors are great, and I enjoy meeting people from different cultures and countries. It’s wonderful.” 

Ani has earned three certificates and an associate degree, and she expects to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in professional studies in 2027. She also works part-time helping other BYU-Pathway students work toward graduation. In addition, she is doing AI quality assurance analysis through an internship with a U.S.- based company.

“BYU-Pathway has helped me tremendously,” says Ani. “I’m more confident in communicating, which I wasn’t before. I’m not scared of doing interviews, talking to people, trying to make connections, or finding jobs.”

Ani’s children have been inspired by their mother’s example of prioritizing education. Her two teenage children have begun learning English through the Church’s EnglishConnect program, and they both want to study medicine in the future.

“I want to improve my English so I can continue to BYU-Pathway like my mom,” says Ani’s 13-year-old daughter, Anahit. “Whenever I have questions about my homework, I go to my mom, and she responds in English. It’s great to have someone at home to learn from.”
 
Ani adds that BYU-Pathway and EnglishConnect are “building our family bond. . . . Heavenly Father wants us to be examples. He wants us to be leaders in our homes. BYU-Pathway is helping us to be those leaders.”
 
In addition to building a legacy of faith and education for her family, Ani is planting seeds in others. Recently she spoke to a friend who is not a member of the Church and is looking for affordable education for her children. “I told her about BYU-Pathway, and she is interested,” says Ani. “I think BYU-Pathway will be something that a lot of Armenians will enjoy.”