A number of Bryn Mawr College students applied for and received funding to conduct research projects and study with a global concentration this spring/summer through the Global Bryn Mawr Student Fellowship. Those students were asked to share their experiences and how they were affected by the COVID-19 situation through words and images.
Name: Kristian Moravec
Class Year: 2019 (finished 2020)
Major: Russian
Program: Russian Overseas Flagship Program
Location: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Q. What led you to apply for this overseas program?
A. I applied for this program for several reasons. First, I wished to travel abroad for some time post completion of my courses. The Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF) program with American Councils offered me a chance, along with some scholarship funding, to do just that. Additionally, as a Russian major, I was looking to build my credentials in the language. The ROF program provides an opportunity to Russian language students to earn an ILR level 3 certificate in their target language, which I can use as a language certification for jobs.
Q. What did you do while on your overseas program?
A. I spent six hours every weekday in intensive courses, followed by two hours of tutoring. Our language practice was also supplemented with excursions, language partners, and during the entirety of the program we lived with host families who would take the time to practice speaking with us every day. During the second semester of the program, students added on a day of volunteering/interning for a local organization and/or business. I interned for the Kazakhstan Fund for Cultural, Social and Educational Development. As an intern I acted as the head of English club, where I taught low income girls English related to their desired careers; and also helped the organization with translation.
Q. What effect did COVID-19 have on your experience?
A. We were sent home a month early, but thankfully our schooling was technically finished by then. We were given online courses to complete after our departure. We then took our language assessments online as well.
Q. What did you learn that surprised you?
A. I learned more about the Soviet Union and the effects of its imperialism in Kazakhstan. For instance, Kazakh was a taboo language under Soviet Rule and many Kazakhs stopped teaching it in schools and were forced to learn Russian. Additionally, from what I was told about the Russian language teaching, the use of public shaming and embarrassment of students was used to deter them from using Kazakh or making any mistakes in Russian. As a result, my experience trying to speak Russian with locals was often made difficult, as they would purposely shame my language skills as a continued practice from their own education. It was very interesting to see how this form of cultural oppression is continued today. Despite this form of trauma, the Kazakh language is making a revival. It has become a mandatory language to teach in schools, and citizens have noted that it is more commonly heard on the streets than it was ten years ago.
Q. What was your favorite part of this experience?
A. My favorite part was seeing the impressive mountain range and taking hiking excursions with local groups. Almaty sits right at the base of some of the tallest mountains I’ve seen in my life; the highest peak is taller than any mountain in the US so the daily view and weekend breaks from the city were refreshing, especially for a Midwesterner.
Q. What advice or guidance would you offer future students?
A. I would recommend students to be open to new cultures and experiences. Kazakhstan has many cultural norms that would seem strange to an American. For example, horse meat and goat meat are used in everyday meals, and there is no such thing as the American concept of “personal space.” Cultural differences can be shocking, however getting hung up on them can hinder a student’s ability to learn more about and enjoy a culture. The best thing anyone can do in a new situation is just go with the flow!