Meet Mariam, a determined and passionate individual whose journey from a successful banking career to becoming a musical ambassador in France is nothing short of inspiring. Mariam’s story is a testament to the power of taking risks, embracing new challenges, and following one’s heart. In this account of her European Voluntary Service (ESC) experience in France, Mariam shares her transformational adventure of leaving behind a secure job to pursue her lifelong passion for music, all while exploring new cultures and languages. Her tale serves as a compelling reminder that sometimes, the most fulfilling chapters in life begin when we step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown.
Hallo, I’m Mariam. I’m here to share with you about my ESC experience in France.
I studied at the Armenian State University of Economics in the management faculty. Afterward, I worked at a bank for two years, initially as a consultant at the head office, and later as an HR. It may seem like the perfect scenario with all the logical developments. Well, it is, if we speak about a basic life where your limits are over at some point, even if I was so happy with my job, surrounded by a great team I was sure that was what I wanted for the moment.
In the same year, I graduated from both an economics high school and a music school as a qanon player, forcing me to choose one as my main profession. Since I hadn’t selected music for my daily life, I felt a sense of guilt for not dedicating enough time to my instrument. Therefore, I attempted to engage in various short-term musical projects to keep it close to me as much as possible.
It was in 2019 when I met the president of the hosting association from France in Armenia, and she talked to me about the ESC long-term project in France. The project was about music, and I was supposed to apply as a musician.
Well, it was not that easy to make a decision to spend a year abroad, far from my hometown and friends, to step out of my comfort zone, to redirect my passion into my primary mission, leaving behind a beloved job that I had long aspired to attain and after graduating from university finally I got it.
On the other hand, it was an opportunity to reside in France for a year, explore Europe, acquire a new language, embark on new adventures, discover diverse cultures, meet people with distinct values, and immerse myself in music, all while pursuing it creatively and without constraints.
Despite these uncertainties, I finally made the decision, and in September 2021, I relocated to France as an ECS volunteer. I owe a debt of gratitude to the presidents of both the sending FIOH and hosting Ballade associations, who provided substantial assistance in the documentation and administrative aspects, and not only.
Despite the challenges I encountered, it was the most rewarding experience I could have ever imagined. The project was situated in Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas, and Strasbourg swiftly became my favorite place with its vibrant and cozy streets. During my volunteer work, I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people from various parts of Europe. I engaged in youth exchange projects in different countries, formed numerous international friendships, and visited approximately 25 cities.
I had a lot of concerts (I mean even I had 3 concerts per day during Christmas days) that made me feel free on the stage and allowed me to present the Armenian traditional instrument and songs in different countries, share my culture and languages, and explore the cultures and languages of others. When I mention discovering another language, I’m referring to the challenging journey of mastering a new tongue in just eight months, a feat that opened doors for my continued education in France. I am currently a student here, studying and working in Human Resources. I could come back to my favorite profession while pursuing my passion for music, a harmonious blend of my favorite occupation and my lifelong passion for music. Balancing these two facets of my life has become a joyous and seamless endeavor.
Voilà! This is my real story with a happy ending. I hope it serves as an inspiration for you to take risks, challenge yourself, and be open to embarking on new beginnings, even if it means letting go of something significant.
