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What languages did you study at UNC and what were your most memorable moments from those global language courses?
I studied Russian for four years as a student at UNC. There are so many moments from my language courses I have to share, though I count my recital of a Mayakovsky poem during a public event and the countless office hour visits I made to professors as the most memorable.
Did you study abroad or do an internship abroad and, if so, what about these experiences impacted your bachelor’s degree the most?
After finishing my bachelor’s, I participated in the Russian Flagship Program in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I completely immersed myself in Russian — I lived with a Russian-speaking family, attended class at a local university, and traveled throughout Central Asia. I also interned at the Kazakhstan Press Club, a press organization that had been founded in the 1990’s to report on privatization in country. I build strong inter-personal relationships with my colleagues and strengthened my language skills for use in professional settings. The Russian Flagship Program as a whole provided me the environment and resources to develop advanced-level proficiency that I continue to use on a daily basis.
How did the study of Russian shape your overall academic training at Carolina?
The study of Russian added a balance to my schedule. Despite the fluctuations in my course load and learning circumstances — in particular, due to COVID-19 — I always had at least one language class. My study of Russian also contributed to a strong desire to study political economy in the former Soviet space. My flourishing interest in this topic culminated in a self-designed independent research class I took in my senior year. I used primary source materials to analyze the use of Russian language in elections in three former Soviet republics.
How has language study at Carolina shaped your outlook and professional aspirations following graduation?
My study of Russian at Carolina has profoundly shaped my personal and professional aspirations. My desire to continue studying and using Russian in the post-Soviet space pushed me to apply for the Fulbright Program. As an awardee, I am living in Khujand, Tajikistan and using Russian every day to communicate with students, colleagues, and the public. After my Fulbright grant I aim to continue working in the former Soviet space.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that you believe new students should know about your global language experience at Carolina?
Language immersion is key to learning any language. Those awkward conversations around the dinner table with your host family are an essential step to achieving language proficiency. If you are serious about studying a foreign language at Carolina, do not forgo the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture abroad. You will not regret it.