"The ability to understand other cultures, understand how language shapes us, and the ability to place yourself in another's shoes are things that can serve you in a wide array of jobs and experiences."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): Russian Language and Civilization
Graduation Year: 2020
Current Employer and Job Title: Officer in the United States Air Force
What were your reasons for studying Russian as an undergraduate?
I was always intrigued by Russian history and the language, and the scholarship and study abroad opportunities that came with the major cemented my desire to see it through.
How did your experiences in the Russian Flagship contribute to your overall undergraduate experience? Was there a particularly memorable experience you would like to share?
I was able to interact with instructors from various backgrounds and focuses while expanding my understanding of the Soviet and post-Soviet world as well as how it’s shaped domestic policies and events. My most memorable experiences are undoubtedly studying in Almaty, Kazakhstan which afforded me perspectives and respect for other peoples’ histories and cultures that I will always carry with me.
What impact did the Russian Flagship program have on your life post-graduation: academic path, career trajectory, skills developed, or anything else?
It provided me a comprehensive scholarship in my ROTC program and made me competitive for the job I desired most, which I was selected for and am thoroughly enjoying!
What advice would you give to current Russian Flagship students?
The chance of you using the language itself may not be great upon graduation, but the ability to understand other cultures, understand how language shapes us, and the ability to place yourself in another’s shoes are things that can serve you in a wide array of jobs and experiences. You just have to frame it around those aspects rather than the grammar and vocabulary of Russian itself. It also makes it a lot easier to learn other Slavic languages if that’s where your career takes you, and speaking Russian never stops impressing people.