Student Ambassadors

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS!

Всем привет! My name is John, and I am a junior studying Russian and Landscape and Urban Studies. I’ve been a part of the Russian Flagship program since the spring of 2023 and have studied Russian on and off for around five years. I started my journey in Russian (as any serious language learner does) on Duolingo. From there, I enrolled in a Russian course at a local university during my senior year of high school, and I’ve continued studying Russian since arriving at UW–Madison.

Many people ask me why I’m studying Russian, and the truth is, I don’t really have a “good” reason. I study Russian simply because I like the language, and I have stuck with it because, through this language, I have been exposed to so many new and exciting experiences, great music, art, and literature, and wonderful people.

HOW HAVE YOUR RUSSIAN LANGUAGE SKILLS CHANGED SINCE JOINING THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM?

My language skills have improved immensely since joining the program. I have gone from first-year Russian—barely being able to understand what was going on at Flagship events—to living and studying Russian in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Being able to interact with native Russian speakers and connect with people who share the same interests through the Russian Flagship Program has helped me learn more of the nuances of the language and stay motivated while learning it.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM?

Besides connecting you to study abroad and scholarship opportunities, the Russian Flagship Program also connects you with tutors, mentors, and all-around lovely people who are interested in helping you and seeing you succeed. This, for me, has been the best and most rewarding part of the program.

WHY IS A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY IN RUSSIAN IMPORTANT TO YOU?

For me, achieving a professional level of proficiency in Russian is less of a career goal and more of a personal challenge. I’ve been interested in studying languages since high school, and when I learned about the opportunity to study Russian through the Russian Flagship Program, I took it! I knew that I wanted to study a language at university and figured that if I started learning Russian, I should see it all the way through. The Russian Flagship Program offered an opportunity to do just that! I hope to end up in a position where I will use Russian in my professional life—even if I don’t yet know exactly what that will look like. However, I do know that what I have been able to learn and experience through learning Russian will benefit me beyond the scope of my job prospects and career.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM?

My advice is to come and talk to us—any of us! We’re all here to help and give advice. If you have any questions or concerns about the program at all, feel free to reach out. For some people, the Russian Flagship Program, with its tutoring and events, might be a lot of added stress, while for others it might be a fun and relaxing way to practice Russian after class. Everyone is in a different situation, so come in and talk to us to see if it’s the right fit for you.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS!

Hi, everyone! My name is Amaya, and I am majoring in International Studies on the Global Security track and Russian. I’ve always been passionate about learning languages. I studied Chinese, French, German, and Arabic before deciding to fully focus on learning Russian. A  major turning point for me was living and studying in Moldova through the NSLI-Y program in high school. That experience showed me how powerful language learning can be when it’s connected with real-world cultural immersion. Participation in this program inspired me to keep Russian at the center of my academic journey.

HOW HAVE YOUR RUSSIAN LANGUAGE SKILLS CHANGED SINCE JOINING THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM?

Since starting the  Flagship Program, my Russian has grown step by step. I am still early in my journey, but each semester I notice real progress inside and outside of the classroom. One big skill I have gained is definitely confidence speaking and recognizing more when listening in conversation. What excites me the most about the flagship program is knowing that my skills will only expand through future study abroad, whether in Kazakhstan, Armenia, Latvia, or any other Russian-speaking environments.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM?

One of my favorite aspects of the flagship program has been the community. Even when I haven’t been able to take part in everything, the moments I have shared at events, in conversations with peers, or working with faculty have been wonderful! That’s why I am especially excited to serve as a student ambassador this year: it’s a chance to get even more involved, meet new peers with the same interests, help create opportunities for others, and contribute meaningfully to the program.

WHY IS A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY IN RUSSIAN IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Achieving professional proficiency in Russian is important to me because I want to work in fields where language and cultural understanding are important. I hope to work in areas such as diplomacy, international development, or national security. Being able to communicate at a professional level will not only help to open doors for career opportunities,  but also for building meaningful connections.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM?

For students considering the Russian Flagship Program, my best advice is to be open! I would take advantage of every resource the program offers whether it’s mentoring, events, tutoring, and study abroad opportunities. The Flagship Program is designed to help you grow, and you’ll be amazed at the progress you make when you commit to it.