WHO MADE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE?
Department of Germanic & Slavic Studies
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
University of Georgia
Lecturer, Russian Flagship Program & UGA
The inspiration for this project came from discussions with colleagues at AATSEEL. There is a clear need for more information about Western Europe and its cultures presented to American school students. Lack of knowledge of this region is a critical issue, especially in light of the current political situation. This website is envisioned to fill these gaps. It will be developed over the span of several years and it is anticipated to highlight all the areas where Russian is commonly spoken.
Maya Cornish
Major: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Minors: Biology, Russian Language
Graduation: Spring 2025
I got involved in this project as I have Russian heritage and I love learning about how the evolving cultures affect the evolution of Russian language. After I graduate, I intend to go to pharmacy school.
Nicholas Heiniger
Major: International Affairs, Russian
Graduation: Spring 2025
After I graduate, I will go on the Russian Flagship Capstone Year Program in Almaty, Kazakhstan. After that, I hope to go to law school, become a lawyer, and eventually transition into working in the foreign service.
Katerina Khudoleyev
Majors: Marketing, International Business
Minors: Russian, Theatre
Graduation: May 2o25
Caroline Solomon
Major: Environmental Economics & Management, Russian
Graduation: Spring 2023
After graduation, I will most likely go on the Russian Flagship Capstone Year Program in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and then on to graduate school for applied economics. I hope to have a career in international energy or environmental policy.
Emily Fegel
Major:
Graduation:
Chris Haswell
Majors: Political Science, International Affairs, Russian
Graduation: Spring 2026
I joined this project to learn more about Russian speaking countries. After graduation I hope to go on the year-long Capstone trip to Kazakhstan or get a job with the federal government.
Carleigh Brisendine
Majors: Interdisciplinary Studies: Russian, Art History and Anthropology
Certificates: Museum Studies, Legal Studies
Graduation: Spring 2026
I joined this project to learn more about the culture and heritage of the Russian speaking cultures of the world. After graduation, I plan to attend law school to become an Art and Cultural Heritage lawyer.
Heather Bittle
Majors: Linguistics, Russian
Minor: French
Graduation: Spring 2026
I am passionate about exploring the history and consequences of language contact, as well as the effect that geopolitical circumstances have on which languages (or language varieties) come to be privileged in a given community. I am proud to be a part of this project that helps share information about diversity within the Russian-speaking world. I plan to study in Latvia in summer 2024 with UGA’s program in the Baltics, and eventually complete my capstone year in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Sara Adkins
Majors: Russian, German, Spanish
Minor: TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Graduation: Spring 2025
I became involved in this project to explore my interests of language acquisition and how multiple languages in one geographical area interact. After graduation, I plan on studying abroad in Almaty, Kazakhstan and then attending graduate school to continue to develop my interpreting and teaching skills. I hope to become an ESOL teacher and medical interpreter.
Jessica Sobieski
Majors: International Affairs, Russian
Graduation: Spring 2025
When I began learning Russian, I was surprised to learn about the diverse culture and of places where Russian is commonly spoken. I am planning on studying abroad in Kazakhstan for a year, and I was excited to explore Kazakh culture through this project!
Lyla Gahl
Majors: International Affairs, Russian
Graduation: Spring 2024
I joined this project to expand my own understanding of the Russian-speaking world, and to hopefully educate others as well. After graduation, I hope to spend a year abroad teaching English before entering flight school.
Madi Fulton
Majors: Spanish, Russian
Minor: International Affairs
Graduation: Spring 2025
I have always loved learning languages and traveling, and I thought it would be beneficial to contribute to this website to raise awareness of other cultures where Russian is spoken that are often overlooked! In the future, I hope to become a travel journalist or become engaged in working for humanitarian organizations or interpreting— regardless of which path I choose, I definitely want to use my language skills and interact with different cultures.
Sadie Bengs
Majors: International Affairs, Russian
Minor: German
Graduation: Spring 2026
I am involved in this project to further develop my knowledge of Russian speaking countries. Once I graduate, I plan to study abroad in Almaty, Kazakhstan and then hopefully pursue a career in diplomacy!
Philip Bloudoff
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Russian
Graduation: Spring 2o25
I am one of the web designers for this site. Although my chosen profession of Civil Engineering and my passion for the Russian people don't appear to overlap, I hope to use them both to build things that will last and to do whatever I can to point the Russian people to the Lord Jesus Christ.