Learning RUssian in Petrozavodsk
The SSP Grant has enabled me to study Russian language for two months in Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia, Russian Federation. Currently, Russian has been on the top of the news headlines with the Ukrainian crisis and the Crimea question. This has been an additional motivation to come to Russia besides improving my language skills. Learning a language is not only learning new vocabulary and grammar, you also learn the culture and the mindset of the target population. I can say that up to this moment my Russian has progressed significantly thanks to the courses I am taking at the Petrozavodsk State University. I take courses four hours each day, I have homework every day and now I have started to read small literature in Russian. The content of the courses include grammar and vocabulary lessons, watching small excerpts of Russian movies, a few news broadcasting and writing exercises. The courses are individual, and therefore it allows the professor to tailor the class to my needs and focus more on the areas that I need to work on. The city is located in the northern part of the country, and the Republic of Karelia shares a border with Finland. In Karelia, the influence of the Finnish people is noticeable. This part of Russia was historically inhabited by the Karelians (hence the name Karelia) and the Vepsians, both are of the same family group as the Finns. Today, due to the assimilation process that began with the Russian Empire, the Veps have almost disappeared as a group, and the Karelians have become a minority. Still, there are enough Karelians to retain their autonomous republic status and they have managed to keep their language alive. But culturally, they have influenced the majority of the Russian population in Karelia, especially regarding the cuisine. The names of the various streets, neighborhoods and the last names of many people in Karelia are of Russian or Finnish origin, giving it a unique character and distinguishing Karelia from other Russian regions. The most common languages of usage here in the city of Petrozavodsk are Russian and Finnish, and many Russians here learn Finnish as a second language. The city has a big university with an excellent language program, but at the same time it only has a population of around 300,000 people. Therefore, it is a laid back, and easy-going place that facilitates interaction with the locals. They are very friendly and welcoming, and many of them like to talk about just any topic on the board from politics to religion to culture, etc. In Karelia there are interesting landmarks and some are even world heritage sites (like the Kizhi Pogost) that are worth a visit as well. The Republic of Karelia in the Russian Federation is a very interesting place to visit and there is a lot to see and do, while improving your language skills.
Why did I choose Petrozavodsk, Russia?
A good characteristic of Petrozavodsk is the easiness of practicing the language on your daily life. Unlike major cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, you will not hear much English here. This expectation was the main reason I chose this city instead of other well-known cities in the “European Russia”. Some people, especially the young, know a little bit of English but they struggle as much with it as I struggle with Russian. Most fellow international students here are from various countries in Central Asia, the Caucasus, northern (mostly Finland) and Eastern Europe. Many of them also have a better time speaking Russian than English. Therefore, if I wanted to make friends, I had to speak Russian while going out with people which has definitely helped me improve my conversational skills and vocabulary of topics that I am interested in and are useful in your daily life (unlike the classic language text books that give you almost useless situations like “the animals at the zoo and the ranch”). I did not think that I would have been able to immerse myself as much in the Russian language if I went to St. Petersburg or Moscow, knowing myself, I would’ve been lazy and switch to English while not in class. Besides, in Petrozavodsk I study at a university and not a language center, which entitles me to a university student ID, and therefore I have access to special prices and free entry to museums!
Did anything surprise you? What?
There are many things that surprised me from Russia (seeing really old cars still working, extremely punctual time-tables that would make DC’s public transportation jealous, the white nights, etc.), but what surprised me the most was to see the reach of the Russian language in other parts of the world. Since I am studying in a university, I have had the opportunity to meet full time students. Many of my friends come from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. I was surprised to learn from them that Russian is actually learned since they are little, and also that it is very important in their respective countries to know Russian in order to have a good job even back home. But not only they are in this situation, I was told that also many countries in the Caucasus learn Russian for the same reason. Before knowing all of this and being confronted with what Russia is, I have learned that it is a very influential nation. This includes not only hard power, but also culturally and linguistically, which are requirements to be influential. I do not know what the future of Russia and its influence will be, but in this moment it is a country that has its own weight in the Russian-speaking world.
What is the best day you have had on your trip?
My best day for now is the excursion to Kizhi Island. This island is an open-air museum that hosts many wooden churches, but none as spectacular as the Kizhi Pogost which includes the Church of Transfiguration and the Church of Intercession. They are made entirely of wood, and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. We had the opportunity to see many buildings and old Karelian houses. Not only did we get to see the buildings, but in every stop we made, there was a Karelian ready to explain to us different aspects of their lives (all in Russian of course) from how they still use woods for their villages, the way they weave their clothing, and we even had the opportunity to dance their traditional dances with them and play their games. The island is a natural beauty and one cannot help but be inspired by the scenery of the beautiful landscape and the old, rustic and yet beautiful structures that are still being preserved by the Karelians and the Russian government. In this place I had the opportunity to admire Russian and Karelian history through its buildings and cultural activities, as well as feel the beauty and magic of northern Russia.
Why did I choose Petrozavodsk, Russia?
A good characteristic of Petrozavodsk is the easiness of practicing the language on your daily life. Unlike major cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, you will not hear much English here. This expectation was the main reason I chose this city instead of other well-known cities in the “European Russia”. Some people, especially the young, know a little bit of English but they struggle as much with it as I struggle with Russian. Most fellow international students here are from various countries in Central Asia, the Caucasus, northern (mostly Finland) and Eastern Europe. Many of them also have a better time speaking Russian than English. Therefore, if I wanted to make friends, I had to speak Russian while going out with people which has definitely helped me improve my conversational skills and vocabulary of topics that I am interested in and are useful in your daily life (unlike the classic language text books that give you almost useless situations like “the animals at the zoo and the ranch”). I did not think that I would have been able to immerse myself as much in the Russian language if I went to St. Petersburg or Moscow, knowing myself, I would’ve been lazy and switch to English while not in class. Besides, in Petrozavodsk I study at a university and not a language center, which entitles me to a university student ID, and therefore I have access to special prices and free entry to museums!
Did anything surprise you? What?
There are many things that surprised me from Russia (seeing really old cars still working, extremely punctual time-tables that would make DC’s public transportation jealous, the white nights, etc.), but what surprised me the most was to see the reach of the Russian language in other parts of the world. Since I am studying in a university, I have had the opportunity to meet full time students. Many of my friends come from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. I was surprised to learn from them that Russian is actually learned since they are little, and also that it is very important in their respective countries to know Russian in order to have a good job even back home. But not only they are in this situation, I was told that also many countries in the Caucasus learn Russian for the same reason. Before knowing all of this and being confronted with what Russia is, I have learned that it is a very influential nation. This includes not only hard power, but also culturally and linguistically, which are requirements to be influential. I do not know what the future of Russia and its influence will be, but in this moment it is a country that has its own weight in the Russian-speaking world.
What is the best day you have had on your trip?
My best day for now is the excursion to Kizhi Island. This island is an open-air museum that hosts many wooden churches, but none as spectacular as the Kizhi Pogost which includes the Church of Transfiguration and the Church of Intercession. They are made entirely of wood, and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. We had the opportunity to see many buildings and old Karelian houses. Not only did we get to see the buildings, but in every stop we made, there was a Karelian ready to explain to us different aspects of their lives (all in Russian of course) from how they still use woods for their villages, the way they weave their clothing, and we even had the opportunity to dance their traditional dances with them and play their games. The island is a natural beauty and one cannot help but be inspired by the scenery of the beautiful landscape and the old, rustic and yet beautiful structures that are still being preserved by the Karelians and the Russian government. In this place I had the opportunity to admire Russian and Karelian history through its buildings and cultural activities, as well as feel the beauty and magic of northern Russia.