Crossing My Eyes and Dotting My Тыs

The population of St. Petersburg is only one million less than my entire state. I grew up across the street from a cornfield, and if I wanted to get anywhere I would either drive or spend most of my morning walking. I am grateful that in my lifetime I have had the privilege of seeing …

The Experience of St. Petersburg

It has been several more weeks of living and studying in St. Petersburg since my last blog, and only two short weeks until I go home. Although two weeks out of an eight-week program sound like a lot, it really is not. Between now and when I go home, I will have finished classes, taken …

Is It Already Time to Leave?

Is it already time? Time here has gone by too fast. I am not saying this with any cheesy intention. There is almost no concept of time here in Kazakhstan. From my host parents, to the teachers, to the locals I have met, time is irrelevant. There are many ways this is reflected in the …

One Blink and It’s Over

Sitting on the plane to Dushanbe, Tajikistan I was thinking about all the things back home I’d miss while abroad for the semester. My family, girlfriend, and typical daily routine that I have perfected over the last three years in college. None of these things would be in Tajikistan, and I would have to adapt …

Packed In

Why am I so entranced by what others see as a hard slog, even at the peak of pressure and stress, here around the world in Taiwan? Here’s a glance at my schedule – I think it can explain why. I set my alarm for 7AM. I pack my things and step out into the …

Fulfilling a New Facet in the Kaleidoscopic Persona

The abandonment of one’s comfort zone is often met with hesitation, a fact which is inevitable when traveling or studying abroad. Transitioning from a familiar environment to one of new regularities also holds a thrill which is difficult to match, as the sampling of another culture holds enrichment like no other. An equilibrium of tradition …

Privilege

As I have spent more time here in Kazakhstan, I have received ample opportunity to think. On the long bus ride home, I am able to reflect upon what I have observed in my stay here. One big thing I wanted to touch on was the comparisons that I have made. Being able to see …

Why Russia?

When I tell people about my major, my future plans, or where I decided to spend my semester abroad, people always ask why. Why Russia? It’s a legitimate question; one I’m never quite sure how to answer. I started studying Russian on a whim and a desire to sleep for an extra half hour, and …

You’re Going Where To Do What?!

That was the question my each and every member of my family asked when I told them I was participating in this program. They couldn't believe that I, a Belgrade-born native/heritage speaker of Serbian, was going to spend the summer in Belgrade taking language classes. They could not stop laughing. Naturally it sounded like a …

Identity in Russia

Flying to Russia to spend a summer studying abroad has been the best decision of my life. Before deciding on making my trip, I was a little worried because of the international tensions my country (USA), and Russia currently face. As a Russian Language major, I knew that I needed to take this step in …