Her Global Identity

By: Jackalyn Elliott, Newcastle, Oklahoma

In 1915, a 5-year-old girl fled Armenia with the help of other genocide survivors. She grew up along the border between Turkey and Iraq, married another Armenian survivor, and moved to Iraq.

Years later, her granddaughter Arakssi Arshakian, now the Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Economics academic program coordinator, was born in Baghdad. Arshakian went to an Armenian school and was active in Armenian clubs while growing up in Iraq.

Arakssi Arshakian grew up in Iraq and after moving to the U.S. has remained true to her Armenian heritage.

Photo by Jackalyn Elliott.

“After the Armenian genocide, we see Armenians scattered all over the world,” Arshakian said. “Wherever we went, we lived the Armenian culture to make sure it continued for generations by building churches, schools and clubs.”

While growing up in Iraq, Arshakian lived through two wars and an invasion.

“There were a lot of nights when we would not know if we would see the dawn,” Arshakian said. “Faith and prayers were what we clung to because there was nothing else that could help us. It is amazing how much our faith grew in those experiences.”

She said she has vivid memories of living in Bagdad during the conflicts.

“I remember, during the invasion, we would gather into a square with the fewest windows,” Arshakian said. “That way, if there was a blast, there would be as little shattered glass as possible. We brought our blankets and stayed in the square all night. We would sleep in the morning because the offense would start in the night. So, we would stay up all night with our Bibles and just pray and pray and pray.”

Arshakian said the hardships she faced helped develop her as a person.

“We built a resilience living through wars and an invasion,” Arshakian said. “Despite the hardships, we could look at the bright side of things, focus on doing our best, and become better with the limited resources we had.”

In 2008, Arshakian applied for a scholarship to get her master’s degree in the U.S. or England. She chose her major, but the scholarship program would choose the university she would attend.

When she opened her acceptance notification, she said she was surprised to learn OSU was where she would spend the next few years.

“I had no idea where Oklahoma was,” Arshakian said. “I had to go look it up on a map.”

Arshakian graduated from OSU in 2011 with her master’s in international studies, focusing on international business and economic relations.

“I loved every aspect of my academic and cultural experience at OSU,” Arshakian said.

Arshakian had known she wanted to get her master’s degree since 2002.

“When my sister graduated, my dad said, ‘I am happier today than if it was your wedding day,’” Arshakian said. “‘Any girl can get married, but not every girl can get her master’s degree.’ I didn’t have any plans to go to graduate school, but that day I decided to get my master’s degree.”

Arshakian’s father, Zaven Arshakian, who died in 2011, was her primary role model and had a huge impact on her life, she said.

“I would not be the person I am today if it was not for my mom and dad,” Arshakian said. “I remember when I got my first job, my dad and I had a conversation about how to be a professional.”

Arshakian said she is close with her mother. However, because of safety reasons, she has not seen her mother since coming to the U.S. in 2009.

“I lived through an invasion, but not being able to see my mom in 10 years has been one of the hardest things I have ever endured,” Arshakian said.

Arshakian said she has two sisters and a brother with whom she is close.

Arshakian’s closest geographic relatives are her sister Aida Sulaiman- Arshakian and her family, which include her niece and nephew, Marina and Carlo Sulaiman, who live in Ireland.

“I cannot tell you how much all my nieces and nephews mean to me,” Arshakian said. “They call me ‘frantie,’ a mix of friend and auntie. We even have a group chat called ‘Frantie’s Children.’” Arshakian has been able to visit this part of her family more frequently.

“The last time we saw Frantie was Christmas 2018,” 11-year-old Marina said. “She is a lot more formal when she is not with us. When she is around us, she is fun and a little bit crazy. She is the best.”

Marina and Carlo both said they hope to visit their Frantie in the U.S. in the next year.

Arakssi Arshakian addresses CASNR colleagues and CAU students.

Photo courtesy of OSU Agricultural Communications Services.

“Frantie is really sweet and funny,” 10-year-old Carlo said. “When Frantie gets really excited about OSU, she does a silly little dance. Then, we will chant ‘Orange Power’ together.”

In 2015, Arshakian began working for the OSU Department of Agricultural Economics.

“Being an international student herself, she has an appreciation and understanding for the challenges international students have when they come to OSU,” said Mike Woods, agricultural economics department head.

Arshakian has taken a substantial role in developing the China Agricultural University program at OSU, which has grown considerably since it started in Fall 2015, said Joe Schatzer, agricultural economics professor.

Although Arshakian’s position was created to do more than facilitate the CAU exchange program, she has played a significant role in its development, Woods said.

“I see her greatest strength as helping the students develop,” Schatzer said. “She helps them become better outside of the classroom.”

Arshakian works with a group of student mentors to ensure each CAU-OSU student feels welcome and has help overcoming challenges, Schatzer said.

“The mentor program helps develop leadership skills in both the domestic and international students,” Woods said. “From the very beginning, we had two goals. We wanted to recruit students

from CAU who would experience success here at OSU. We also wanted the department to benefit from our relationship with CAU and become even better. Through a departmental effort, I feel we have achieved both goals.”

Arshakian said she strives to make a difference in students’ lives.

“I serve them by helping them succeed in their journey here at OSU academically, culturally and individually,” Arshakian said.

Arshakian’s efforts have benefited OSU and she is an important part of the CASNR family, Schatzer said.

“Arakssi is a great ambassador for OSU to the world and deeply embraces the Cowboy philosophy,” Woods said.

Arshakian said she always wants to participate in international initiatives.

“All the dots have been put together,” Arshakian said. “When I serve these students, I look back at how I was when I first came to OSU.”

Arshakian said she is proud of her diverse background and how it has allowed her to help students at OSU.

“I am more than one identity,” Arshakian said. “I am a product of Armenia, Iraq and America. I really embrace all three. ”