What inspired you to go abroad?
I wanted to deepen my understanding of the post-Soviet region through direct immersion, especially given my academic focus on conflict mediation. The Boren Scholarship and the FLAS Fellowship made this opportunity possible and motivated me to strengthen my Russian in a region where the language shapes daily life and identity.
Why did you choose Learn Russian in the European Union?
Learn Russian in the EU stood out because its Eastern European Cultural Connections and Integration Processes track directly matched what I wanted to study: the layered identities, historical tensions, and integration challenges present in Latvia. It offered rigorous language immersion while grounding it in the lived realities that shape the region today.
My experiences with the local cultural immersion excursions that the program offered.
What was your favorite part about Latvia?
My favorite part of living in Latvia was discovering how many diasporic cultures shape the region, especially in Latgale. Engaging with Old Believers, Polish, Belarusian, and Russian communities gave me a deeper sense of Latvia's layered identity.
I also loved the tangible historical presence. Walking the Daugavpils fortress and watching Napoleonic battle reenactments felt like stepping directly into the past.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made the experience truly extraordinary was the level of access I had to regional and European leadership.
I had the chance to meet Members of the European Parliament, speak with Latvian Saeima representatives, and engage directly with local mayors in Daugavpils and Preili. Those conversations grounded my academic interests in real policy challenges and perspectives.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff were consistently supportive and incredibly kind.
They guided me through housing logistics, handled the many administrative details that come with studying and living abroad, and even helped me navigate the healthcare system when needed. My health and well-being were their number one priority.
Their responsiveness and genuine care made it easy to focus fully on my language study and cultural immersion.
Mikhail meeting Andrejs Elksniņš, the Mayor of Daugavpils.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I already made an effort to meet one-on-one with professors, explore their publications, and attend office hours, but I wish I had done a bit more of that to deepen those academic connections. I also participated in local events, yet joining a few additional community activities, like city marathons, would have enriched my experience even further.
The City of Daugavpils offers a remarkable balance, combining rich academic and professional opportunities with vibrant cultural and recreational experiences, allowing students to engage both intellectually and socially.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day in Latvia began early with classes on topics such as Baltic history or NATO. I often had one-on-one study sessions with professors and then walked across the city with my communication partner, practicing Russian and learning some Latvian.
Afternoons were spent on excursions to historic WWII sites or local culture houses, which enriched both my language skills and understanding of the region’s history and traditions.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
During my free time in Latvia, I enjoyed a variety of activities that allowed me to explore both culture and nature. I attended plays, visited bookstores, went to hockey games, and watched motorcycle racing.
I also explored the forests of Latgale, swam in local lakes, traveled to cities like Riga, and attended festivals and free concerts hosted by the community.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Group excursion to the Belarusian Culture House in Daugavpils!
I participated in a homestay program, living with three different families over my six-month stay. Each family offered a unique living arrangement, from houses to apartments, making every experience distinct. Navigating public transit to the university was an interesting challenge.
What I appreciated most was the warmth of each community. During Christmas and New Year, each neighborhood had its own local Christmas tree, lit in celebration with neighbors, and it was delightful to travel around the city and see how each tree reflected the community’s character.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Future participants should know that this program goes far beyond language study. It offers deep cultural immersion, access to local and European leaders, and hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world history and society.
Being open to exploring both the academic and local community will make the experience truly transformative.
Would you recommend Learn Russian in the EU to others? Why?
I would wholeheartedly recommend Learn Russian in the EU to others. The program combines rigorous language instruction with immersive cultural and historical experiences.
Support from administrators and professors is exceptional, and the opportunities to engage with local communities and regional leaders make it an academically and personally transformative experience.
Local excursion where our group made bread, pastries, and other delicious food from scratch.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is the opportunity to immerse oneself in a different culture and perspective.
Experiencing daily life, language, and local traditions firsthand deepens understanding in ways that classroom study alone cannot, fostering both personal growth and a more nuanced view of global issues.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I am home, I can see how profoundly my time abroad has shaped my trajectory. The experience has opened doors to respected opportunities in international affairs, strengthened my academic profile, and given me a level of regional understanding that continually informs my work and future goals.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel, to me, means breaking free from the confines of a single perspective. Immersing myself in the air, history, and culture of Eastern Europe allows me to see the world differently, to think beyond the familiar, and to experience life through the lens of stories, struggles, and philosophies that are not my own, yet that feel like mine.
