The Department of Russian and Slavic Studies is grateful to Sarah Erickson (BA Russian and Slavic Studies 2016, MA Russian and Slavic Studies 2019) for sending us an exciting update from her Fulbright trip to Russia. Read more about Sarah's adventures below. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this update! Stay in touch!
Sarah writes:
I am an English Teaching Assistant at Perm National Research Polytechnic University. I work primarily in the translation department, with students who are studying to become translators and interpreters. I facilitate discussions during class and encourage conversation and practice in the classroom. I also give presentations in different classes about American culture, Mexican-American culture, U.S. history, politics, or other areas the students are studying. I participate in the translators club where I give presentations and students practice simultaneous interpretation of a native speaker. Besides the translators club, I also help in the debate club, and lead the English club. I also assist the Spanish classes, and communicate with the students in Spanish as well as give presentations in Spanish.
I will also be working with a colleague here on a research article which we will present at the International and Interregional Integration in the Field of Engineering Education conference in St. Petersburg. We will be discussing and deciding this week our topic of research. Besides my official duties I am also working on bettering my Russian. I meet with tutors from the university for 6 hours a week to work on my Russian.
So far my experience in Russia is amazing! I have been here 2 weeks now, and have not yet even felt culture shock. UA taught me to well. I love my city Perm, and have managed to make some friends here already. I might be going to an international conference to St. Petersburg in the spring. The people here have been so hospitable, kind, and helpful to me. I am really excited to be part of this program, my only negative feelings have been how fast time goes by. Before I know it I will have to leave Russia and I don't want to!