Almost one year ago, in September 2023, the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, home to a significant Armenian population, fell under Azerbaijani control, prompting a mass exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia. This crisis marked a tragic turning point, as families fled their homes, leaving behind their lives.

Now, the integration of these refugees, particularly the younger generation, remains a pressing challenge for Armenia, a country with a population of around three million, already grappling with its own socio-economic issues.

What has the past year been like?

Lana, 17, an aspiring journalist from Stepanakert, describes a busy year of university applications, studying for exams and volunteering – all within a month of fleeing Artsakh. Despite the difficulties, she managed to stay focused and was accepted into university.

This goal gave her a purpose, which diverted her attention: “I wasn’t very depressed because I was busy all the time,” she says. She explains that life is faster in Armenia, but her determination helped her get used to it quickly.

Anita, 16, hoping to specialise in the field of biology and chemistry, shares a more emotional perspective, recounting her initial apathy upon arrival. However, a moment of vulnerability led her to confront her feelings.

She expresses gratitude for the kindness she encountered: “There were so many good people who helped me”. While she acknowledges the strangeness of her new life, she finds solace in the support she received.

Laura, 17, about to study psychology, feels that her integration has been slow and incomplete, indicating ongoing challenges in adjusting to her new environment. Her experience reflects the complexity of adapting to a life that, while familiar in some ways, still feels foreign.

Alyona, 17, striving to raise awareness of the crisis, candidly discusses the toll the past year has taken on her mental health. She emphasises the relentless pace of life, where there was little time to process her experiences. “Life doesn’t wait,” she comments, revealing her struggle to find stability and belonging in Armenia, despite its similarities to her homeland.

Stoicism, sleep and music

The experience of trauma, particularly in the context of war and conflict, can profoundly impact someone’s mental and emotional well-being, especially teenagers. Faced with the challenge of reconciling their past experiences with their present realities, they develop various coping mechanisms.

Nare emphasises the importance of avoidance in her coping strategy. “I kind of ignore everything,” she admits, explaining that focusing on her future helps her manage her emotions. By engaging socially and using humour, she distracts herself from her feelings, finding comfort in the present rather than dwelling on the past. She says that getting adequate sleep is crucial too.

Anita finds refuge in music, describing it as a form of therapy. “Music helped me so much,” she shares, revealing her initial love for Armenian classical music and her current affinity for more melancholic tunes, such as those by Lana Del Rey. This connection to music is a comforting presence in her life, allowing her to process her emotions.

Lana turns to stoicism, a philosophy that encourages individuals to focus on what they can control. “I embraced that philosophy in my practical life,” she explains. It helped her remain rational during the turmoil in Artsakh. By concentrating on supporting her family rather than worrying about the uncontrollable, she found a sense of peace amid chaos.

Laura also highlights the importance of thinking about her relatives as a coping mechanism. She believes that overcoming her own difficulties enables her to assist others in navigating their challenges, creating a sense of purpose and connection that helps her cope.

Alyona focuses on maintaining a positive mindset by actively working to transform negative thoughts into constructive ones. “I aimed to envision the end result of whatever I was doing,” she explains, using this vision as motivation to keep moving forward despite the obstacles she faces.

Lessons learned and personal growth

This year, Laura, Alyona and Nare learned the same thing – that they are stronger and smarter than they previously thought. Laura’s perception of herself as being “weak” shifted as she overcame numerous difficulties.

Alyona comments: “I discovered that there’s a more grown-up and wiser version of myself inside, who stepped forward to guide me and offer advice, I was the one who fought back and survived in this battle with my pain”.

Nare’s take on this discovery is more straightforward and revolves around her own passions. “If I wasn’t strong enough, I’d give up photography. If I wasn’t strong enough, I’d give up everything else,” she says.

Lana and Anita, meanwhile, have discovered they have opposing but complementary character traits. Where Lana discovered that she is a “very rational” person, which has helped her to cope more easily, allowing her to share her experiences and advice with friends. Anita found out that she is, in fact, an emotional person, sharing how she “realised crying is ok and it’s a great power”.

These reflections demonstrate how, paradoxically, one can learn both similar and contrasting lessons through parallel experiences.

Laura’s primary goal was achieved when she got into the Armenian State Pedagogical University. She hopes to become a great psychologist with the ultimate objective of helping people “because in our days all of us need it”.

Lana, who will shortly start at the American University of Armenia, aims to excel in her studies and work as a freelance journalist after completing her English and Communications course.

Anita expresses her ambition to study diligently and explore the world. While she dreams of becoming a doctor, or a professor in chemistry or biology, her broader goal is to connect with her loved ones and make them happy. “I want to travel a lot,” she says, indicating her desire for adventure and personal growth.

Alyona is focused on getting into the American University of Armenia. She is currently preparing for the TOEFL exam and volunteering, which not only enhances her skills but also helps her explore her identity.

“I want to discover new hobbies and now, more than ever, I’m eager to truly understand who I am, what I want to do in my life, and what I enjoy the most,” she explains, emphasising her journey of self-discovery alongside her academic goals.

Nare also hopes to attend university, but her vision extends beyond traditional education. She wants to study abroad, engage in freelance journalism, and document stories from around the world, particularly focusing on war and humanitarian issues.

“It’s essential to raise awareness,” she asserts, reflecting her love and passion for making a difference through her work.

‘It’s just a bad day, not a bad life’

Alyona shares two key pieces of advice for teens going through similar situations. The first: “Allow yourself to fully feel your emotions.” She stresses the importance of not suppressing or doubting the gravity of your feelings, and taking as much time as needed, “moving forward little by little”.

The second is to appreciate everything you have. Laura echoes this advice. “There is nothing more precious in the world,” she says, referring to the appreciation of little things, from the air you breathe to the water you drink.

Laura also observes that our future is in our hands, while Alyona emphasises the importance of having dreams: “Keep moving towards them and hold on to them tightly because they are yours, no matter what”.

On a similar note, Anita says be grateful for the kindness of others. “Don’t think that everyone is your enemy, because there are many kind people in the world and they would love to help you,” she advises. She also shares a verse from the song Bad Life by Sigrid, “It’s just a bad day, not a bad life”.

Similarly, Lana highlights the importance of approaching friends and not being alone. “Nare, Anita and I, we all have similar stories, we can really understand each other, it helps,” she explains.

She adds that you should not compare yourself to other people as “their stories are different”. Instead she underscores the importance of focusing on goals like studying and working hard towards your own development.

Nare shares a similar perspective; she advises focusing on the positives, not your own weaknesses. “Even if you think that it’s the end, it’s not. There is still a light, there is still a hope,” she says.

Finally, Nare emphasises the belief that everything that happens to us is for a reason; if it wasn’t for the situation in Artsakh, the aspirations and achievements she has would have not existed.

Ending on an optimistic note, she says, “I would have never been here. I would never have had so many connections. I would never be capable of doing what I’m doing right now.”