Title VIII Scholarship Recipient Profile: Layne Philipson
Layne Philipson reflects on her semesters on both the Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP) and the Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) online as a Title VIII scholarship recipient and how she improved her speaking skills.
Even at a very young age, I had always wanted to be different. I had also always loved geography, languages, and international relations. When I would play around on Google Maps, I put the little man into Russia, just to see what would happen; I uncovered a beautiful place about which I had only heard negative things. Soon after, I became infatuated with the language and placed an order to get Penguin’s “Russian Course”. I didn’t study the language much after learning the alphabet and some basic phrases. This was largely because I was petrified to try to speak a different language, but that didn’t stop me from consuming all the information about Russia I could find! (Including Rachmaninoff, as I had long played the piano).
I didn’t study in Russia with RLASP, but I did study at MGIMO in Moscow five years ago. I had already read a lot about what to expect, so I wasn’t surprised by the lack of smiles on the street (although, it was still difficult to get used to). Their education system is also very different – from being in the building from 8:30 to 5:30 every day to morning PE classes that included a mile ‘warm up’ run, I appreciated the intensity of time at the university.
I had already completed CLS Russian online in the summer of 2020 and ERLP the following fall, so I was well prepared for intensive language-studies online. Though some people might have preconceived notions of what it is like to study languages online (It is hard, not as productive…), I have to say that this is simply not true. I have loved my experiences online and have appreciated the ability to balance real-life with the programs. I would not have been able to afford studying abroad, and this gave me the perfect opportunity to develop. My most productive way of studying is to hand-write notes rather than type. Even though we have all been so virtualized, I recommend that you take notes with a pencil and paper. It can be hard to have everything you are doing online (or on Word). This helped add diversity to my studies, too.
During ERLP, I was the only student in my classes, which took some time to adjust to. Whereas I did ERLP part-time, I studied with RLASP full-time and was also the only one in my classes. The intensity of RLASP and the individual nature of the program was difficult at first, but, after one week, I began to reap the benefits of private studies. For instance, I picked any conversation topic to talk about, and was therefore able to focus on my interests in international relations, social issues, and foreign languages. I learned so much about the life during the Soviet Union and its culture through a number of Russian films. As my film instructor and I analyzed each movie, I developed my skills in forming opinions in Russian and presenting them correctly. In my grammar classes, our pace depended on how well I learned the material. Not only did this push me to succeed, but it also allowed my instructor to develop entirely individualized course materials.
From the first day of class, it became evident that my conversation instructor and I shared many interests. Our conversations have always flown easily and we have shared identical opinions on a host of topics. On February 18th, I told her it was my birthday. She immediately smiled and said it was her birthday too and that she had never met someone with her birthday! It has been so lovely developing a connection with her.
I am currently an MA student at the University College London, where I am studying political analysis in the context of Russia and Eastern Europe. I have developed a passion for studying the relationships between Russia, Turkey, Iran, and China in Central Asia. As I have studied Tajik (and continue to practice the language) and Russian, I have been able to look deeper into the region. My expertise in Russian area studies is crucial to this topic, as the history has shaped the modern Central Asian, geopolitical theater. My dissertation at UCL focuses on the nature of Russian mass media in regards to Russia’s foreign policies. I will specifically be focusing on the means by which mass media presents American involvement in the Middle East, with a case study on Syria. My analysis will measure the extent to which such media outlets influence the perception of Russia’s foreign policies (particularly in regards to the Middle East) within the Russian population. I am scouring the archives of five significant media outlets in Russia to find the articles I need for media analysis. In so doing, I have had to use my Russian language skills consistently and extensively.
In the fall, I will attend Georgetown University, where I will study for a Master’s in Security Studies. The Russian language is extremely important to studies of national and international security. I will continue my focus on Central Asia. Given my passion for languages, I will start studying either Farsi or Turkish, in addition to continuing my Russian. This will allow me to better understand the relationship between the countries – RLASP and my past have only confirmed that speaking a critical language strengthens my understanding of other countries and their foreign policies.
About Title VIII Fellowships for Overseas Language Study:
The U.S. Department of State, Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII), provides fellowship support to graduate students in policy-relevant fields who wish to participate in the American Councils Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP), the Balkan Language Initiative (BLI), or the Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP). More information about Title VIII Fellowships for Overseas Language Study can be found here.
By: Layne Philipson
Program: Eurasian Regional Language Program, Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program
Term: Fall 2020, Spring 2021