NOW
I work as a risk analyst, and my job duties include analyzing websites to determine the riskiness of the products and services offered. My work has me analyzing websites from all over the world, and the way I was taught Russian in the Flagship program not only helps me to be able to read the Russian websites but also gives me a basic understanding of what websites in other Slavic languages are saying, which can be very helpful when Google Translate is having a bad day. I also think that studying Russian in the Flagship program has helped my pattern recognition skills overall, which is very helpful in my work.
THEN
Certification: Language Flagship Certified Global Professional with Distinction
Honors and Awards: Benjamin A. Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship (Summer 2015); Russian Overseas Flagship (2016-2017)
What do you plan to do with your fluency in Russian?
’m not exactly sure what I’d like to do, but I think education would be a very interesting route. I’ve done some tutoring and helped out in a classroom. I found these experiences to be quite rewarding.
What attracted you to the PSU Russian Flagship?
I was attracted to the PSU Russian Flagship program because I saw that this program would get me to a much higher level of Russian, and I saw that I would get have opportunities to go to Russia.
What’s the best aspect of being in the PSU Russian Flagship?
The best aspect of being in the Russian Flagship program is the incredible community around me. My classmates and professors are always encouraging me, helping me when I don’t understand things, and celebrating my successes with me. Additionally, the drive, work ethic, and excellence of everyone involved in the program are inspiring.
Why is fluency in Russian important to you?
I have been fascinated by the Russian language and culture ever since I was a child, so learning about both of those is the fulfillment of a dream for me. Additionally, I want my career to be based on my skills in Russian, so fluency is very important for that.