Breaking down the barriers
"I always had a fascination with Russian culture and history, and I believe that very soon they will again play a significant role in world politics," says a senior with a double major in Russian studies and international relations. A junior says of his Russian studies major and travel to Russia, "It's given me a more well-rounded view of what the world holds. I've been able to experience a culture that is completely foreign and that has enabled me to process all sorts of new ideas, thoughts, and theories. It's more than an academic study; it's a real opportunity for understanding." A professor observes that the Russian studies major is "the work of a lifetime . . . . Students are studying Russian in the hopes that they will take part in the transformation of that country in the next several years."

Why Russian studies?
"Picturing the future of the world market and economy," says a junior Russian studies major, "I thought Russian would be a more valuable commodity in the business market than another language." He adds, "It gives you an opportunity to learn a language which opens up a country that has been veiled in mystery for decades. You can speak with the Russians, hear their ideas, listen to their jokes, understand their culture, and interact with their families." A freshman who likes "the language itself, the culture, the folk songs, and the way of life" in Russia, chose to "challenge" himself with a double major in Russian studies and business administration. A junior who is also an international relations major notes that "with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Communist block in Eastern Europe, it's an amazing time to be able to communicate with Russians, and in their own language."

Submerge yourself in the culture
"The Russia Abroad is definitely the high point of the program," according to one Russian studies major. "It was just an amazing opportunity, not only to get to Russia, but to be able to really submerge yourself in the culture. Being able to live with a Russian family gave me a wonderful opportunity to see what the Russian people were like. We also had Russian language teachers and worked on semantics." Besides this, says a major who is originally from Hungary, students on the abroad "are forced to look at the world and other experiences in a different way. We learn that earthly material possessions don't necessarily make you happy. It was a growing process we all went through in Russia." She adds, "Americans learn they have to be flexible, to really open their minds" when in Russia. "They need to try to think as the Russians do in order to fully understand and appreciate the culture." A professor notes another by-product of the abroads, saying, "Because of the work of Principia's Abroads over in Russia, we've ended up with five Russians studying on our campus this year."

Involved faculty encourages international internships
"There is a lot of one-on-one opportunity with the professor," says a freshman Russian studies major. "You're not really cramped or slowed down by having to compete with other students for the extra time." This is a plus, as evidenced by a Russian studies graduate who minored in political science and is currently studying Slovak languages and literature in a graduate program at the University of Virginia. She actually designed her own program with the help of her Russian professor at Principia, "even though he is not required to do this. I'm not in his program at all. It's that kind of long-lasting help that I really value." Another freshman plans to take full advantage as well, saying, "I plan on doing two abroads, and on the second one I want to get an internship in Russia, which my adviser will help me set up with a Russian business." Another student is interning with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. "One of the main reasons I have this internship," she says, "is because I've had Russian studies."

A challenging and rewarding language
For one student, learning the language was rewarding because "you really get a good feel for the literature. Being able to recite poetry in Russian, you're able to capture the original beauty of the language, rather than through translation." Another Russian studies major says he found that his professor "takes a language that is very difficult, very complicated, and through his love of the language and teaching makes it a real pleasure to learn." A senior cites as an important part of her studies "the discipline that it takes, particularly with the language, to really commit and dedicate yourself. It's a challenging major because everything—the history, language, culture, politics—is so interconnected." Another senior says, "You learn facts and the language; however, the type of tools you pick up as you go through the Russian studies major, the qualities you need to cultivate in order to be successful, are things that you'll be able to use in a career."

Taking Russian studies into the future
A professor points out that teaching and government work used to be the only areas available to Russian studies majors, but now, "the two big areas are the environment and the big, big area of business. . . . Consequently, a number of majors are taking business courses at the same time." One Russian studies graduate lived in Moscow for two years after graduation working for the American Embassy. A Russian studies major on the verge of graduation says her goal is to go into international law. "My husband and I were both fortunate enough to be able to get jobs right out of college with just a bachelor's degree and using our Russian," says a recent graduate. She is now a language analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense.