This blog site is created by the students and faculty of the USA in Russia 2019 program. USA in Russia is a faculty-led study abroad program ran through the University of South Alabama Office of International Education in cooperation with our partner university, the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, and the School of Asian and Russian Studies (SRAS).
Students
Connor Alford (Sophomore)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian)
Hello, my name is Connor Alford. I’m a sophomore at the University of South Alabama studying Russian. I am bilingual, being able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing in both English and Spanish. I was born here in Mobile and until now have not had the opportunity to live my dream of traveling abroad. Though I speak Spanish, I’ve never actually had the opportunity to be immersed in a community of Spanish speakers. I’m glad to have this experience with Russian.
Justice Browning (Senior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian) and minor in International Studies
My love for language is my motivation for studying Abroad. As a young child I have always had a passion for other cultures. Growing up I was always surrounded by different cultures and languages.My motivation for language began when I was in the second grade. My school gained a large influx of immigrant students. I watched many of those students struggle to understanding our language and culture. This motivated me try and create a bridge between cultures. My goal by studying abroad in Russia is to gain a better understanding of the Russian people,and also give the Russian people a better understanding of the everyday American. My goal for the future, is to work at an embassy dealing with foreign relations.
Frederick Carver (Sophomore)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian) and International Studies
In a few words, I am excited to be working towards my lifelong dream of becoming an Air Force Officer and Pilot. I am very fond of horses, history, hiking, archery, traveling, flying, nature, good stories, and playing my guitar. Although I began my life living as a military brat in Texas, Georgia, and Germany, my family has settled in Montgomery, Alabama for now. There I grew up on a farm tending animals with my younger sister and brothers. I graduated from Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in 2017 and am now quite excited to be continuing my education at USA in Mobile, Alabama studying the fascinating culture, language, and history of Russia. I currently live quite happily with fellow AFROTC cadets and 4 dogs in a house close to campus.
Irina DiGiovanni (Sophomore)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian)
Traveling to Russia to participate in the USA study abroad program is a major step towards fulfilling my dream. My interest in the country of Russia runs deep as I am a true blooded Russian. I was adopted from an orphanage in Nizhniy Novgorod when I was three years old and my parents brought me to America. I became a US citizen but my family always encouraged me to learn about my Russian heritage and to explore my roots. My personal history is what drives me to pursue a degree in Russian Studies and towards a career that integrates my American and Russian interests and cultures.
The deep connection I have with Russia is part of my identity. After graduating from high school in 2012, my mother and I traveled to Nizhniy Novgorod to explore my roots and look for my birth family. It was not easy but after many miles and lots of translated conversations over several days, we found my birth mother and three sisters! It has been a wonderful experience getting to know them although the language barrier was, and still is, a significant problem. In 2017, I discovered that, as a Russian adoptee, I was still considered to be a Russian citizen. I wanted to go back to visit my sisters but the Russian government denied my visa request. Due to the newly passed Magnitsky Act, I had to either accept Russian citizenship or denounce it. Given my love for the country, I was excited to pursue the citizenship opportunity. After many months of shuffling paperwork and several trips to the Russian Embassy in Houston, I finally received my Russian passport and dual citizenship! I was then able to travel to Nizhniy Novgorod for three months to spend time with my family and to get to know them.
Marylyn Gafford (Senior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Spanish and Russian)
Hello! My name is Marylyn Gafford, and I am a Senior double majoring in Spanish and Russian at the University of South Alabama. I have been studying Spanish for several years, so I am very excited (and nervous) to go through the process of picking up another language again. I know how much work it takes, but also how rewarding it is in the end. In the future, I am interested in pursuing a career in education or international journalism. For either career, being familiar with the languages and the cultures of the places you specialize in is key, so I can’t wait to learn more about the Russian language and people on this trip.
AK Greer (Junior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian) and International Studies
My name is AK Greer and I’m about to start my third year at USA in the Fall. I’m majoring in both Foreign Language with a concentration in Russian, and in International Studies. I’ve already been to Russia once on a study abroad trip the summer before my Freshman year. It was there that I developed a very strong interest in Russian culture and language instead of simply viewing the opportunity as a way to get ahead in my studies, and therefore ahead in the job market. I’m extremely excited to go back and I look forward to seeing how much my language skills improve after being immersed for two months straight.
Lydia Henry (Senior)
Northwestern University
Theatre and Biology
My name is Lydia Henry and I am from Mobile, Alabama. I go to Northwestern in Evanston, IL, and I am currently applying to medical school. I am going to Russia to become more educated about the culture and history there. I am studying the language at a very basic level and I hope that my study abroad experience broadens my perspective and gives me a new appreciation for the Russian people and their culture.
Lindsay Hodge (Senior)
University of South Alabama
International Studies and Foreign Languages (Russian)
My name is Lindsay Hodge. I am a Senior, double majoring in International Studies and Russian Language. I am spending this upcoming summer in Russia. It will be my first time traveling outside of the U.S. I am looking forward to all of the opportunities study abroad provides. My goal for this trip is to improve my language proficiency and gain valuable cultural knowledge. I want to build upon everything I learn on this trip and continue furthering my education in graduate school. One day I hope to be involved in diplomacy or intelligence between the U.S. and Russia.
Nicole Johnston (Sophomore)
University of South Alabama
International Business Major and Foreign Language (Russian)
My name is Nicole Johnston, I am an International Business Major and a Russian Major. I am going into my Junior year at the University of South Alabama. I was born in Chicago and raised in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. This trip will improve my ability to understand Russian culture for my future marketing job between the countries, which is crucial. I am excited for this opportunity to expand the way I view other cultures and beliefs.
Isabel Klinner (Sophomore)
University of South Alabama
International Studies
Hi my name is Isabel Klinner and I am a Sophomore at USA. I am from Alabaster, and I am currently an International Studies major. I’m studying abroad this summer because I have always had an interest in traveling and learning about other places! Going to Russia will be a big step for me because it is the first time I will be out of the country for an extended period of time. I am so excited to make memories and learn more about the language and culture!
Zoe Kontak (Junior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian)
Hello! My name is Zoe Kontak. I am a Russian major at the University of South Alabama. I am a rising junior, and only temporarily reside in Mobile, or “Mobtown”, as I have heard several Mobile natives call it. I was raised in Huntsville Alabama, but born in Tomsk, Russia. This trip will be my first time returning to my country of birth since being brought to the US. I have two brothers, mothers, and fathers- one set in each country. My goals for the future involve being a humanitarian crisis worker who specializes in building the relationships between Russia and the United States.
Matt Lombard (Junior)
University of South Alabama
History and Foreign Language (Russian)
My name is Matt Lombard and I am currently a Junior at the University of South Alabama. I am a dual major- History and Russian Language- and I want to study Russian language because I am very supportive of multiculturalism and multilingualism. I hope to one day learn to speak Russian fluently and use these skills to work for the State or Federal Government.
Josh Maier (Junior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian) and Computer Science
My name is Josh Maier. I’m from Mobile, Alabama and am a junior at the University of South Alabama. I am a double major studying Russian and Computer Science, which I hope to use to go into the field of cybersecurity. While in Russia, I hope to learn as much as I can about the language and culture, no only because it will help me advance towards my career, but because I find it interesting.
Shelby Merritt (Senior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (German and Russian)
Hi everyone! My name is Shelby Merritt, and I’m majoring in German and Russian with a minor in English at the University of South Alabama. I’m a native Mobilian, and I’ve always had an itch to travel and learn different languages and cultures outside of where I grew up. When it came to Russian, I never thought it would be more than a language I dabbled in for fun while I focused on my original major, yet here I am! While I still have a long way to go in terms of learning the language, I hope to be able to go to grad school after I graduate this coming December and then perhaps turn my attention towards translation or diplomatic work.
Auriel Moore (Junior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Spanish and Russian)
Hey, I’m Auriel! I’m currently a junior majoring in foreign language with concentrations in Spanish and Russian, and my minor is applied linguistics. Many of my interests revolve around visual arts such as photography and videography, and I could definitely be considered a TV/film geek. I would describe myself as an introvert passionate about global education and connecting with others through their native language and culture. In the beginning, I didn’t realize this as I only took Spanish classes to satisfy school requirements, but as I continued, I began to really love it. After my first experience studying abroad in Spain, I realized that I not only wanted to keep traveling, but I also wanted to take on new challenges and understand other cultures as well. That’s how I decided to study Russian; I wanted to take on the challenge that scared me the most. It’s so different from what I’ve studied before, and that’s what I enjoy about it. As a student ambassador for USA’s Study Abroad Office and future professional, my hope is to encourage other students to enhance their education with international experiences.
Devon Parodi (Junior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian)
Hi my name is Devon Parodi, I am from Austin, Texas and I am a junior at South Alabama, I am an Army ROTC cadet and a Russian major, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, shooting guns, interacting with animals and seeing new things. Once I graduate I hope to have a career as an Army Officer and then possibly join the FBI when I get out. At some point in my life I have the goal to spend a year at McMurdo Station in Antarctica with the USAP.
Molly Saul
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (Russian)
My name is Molly Saul, and I am currently seeking a second Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama. I previously graduated in 2016 from the University of Southern Mississippi with a BA in Legal Studies as well a minor in Spanish, and now I am pursuing another in Russian Studies. I have been a member of two national collegiate honor societies (Gamma Beta Phi and Sigma Alpha Lambda), and was nominated for “Who’s Who Among American College and University” students. I chose to study Russian because I have essentially been studying pre-revolutionary Russian history since I was a child. I’ve always had such a passion and enthusiasm for it, and finally decided that I had to seek out a program that allowed me to not only learn the language, but also gain a better understanding of the culture and make connections internationally. I hope that I can become at least semi-fluent in Russian, bring some of that passion I have, and introduce a program into public schools in Mississippi. Besides my education, I also have a love for anything dance and performance. I have danced since I was 7 years old, and have been on several dance teams over that time, including receiving a dance scholarship back in 2009. Adding to that, I was a dancer at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for 3 years, and met several performing artists such as the group Foreigner and KC from KC and the Sunshine Band, and performed with a Michael Jackson impersonator.
Michael Tanner (Senior)
University of South Alabama
Psychology and Foreign Language (Russian)
My name is Michael Tanner and I am from Mobile, Alabama. I am currently studying Psychology and Russian at the University of South Alabama and working towards getting into Law School. I have been studying Russian for two years and I am studying abroad to increase my language skills and engross myself in the culture.
Courtney Thomas (Senior)
University of South Alabama
Foreign Language (French and Russian)
My name is Courtney Thomas and I’m a senior at the a University of South Alabama majoring in French and Russian and minoring in Applied Linguistics. I’ve had a fascination with language since the age of 11; as an only child, I had a lot of free time to explore my interests. Then, when I entered high school and took my first French class, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to dedicate my life to working with language. In college, I also chose Russian because their history and culture are shrouded in mystery, fear, and old war stereotypes, so naturally, I’m curious to find out for myself. Not to mention the language is so beautiful! I have two main goals for this study abroad experience and they are: to strengthen my knowledge and skills in the language and culture for myself and my career, and the second is to bring that wisdom back home so I can educate my countrymen about what Russia and its people are really like, as opposed to the fear-mongering picture that’s painted by our media.
Tabitha Vance (Junior)
University of South Alabama
Sociology and Foreign Language (Russian)
My name is Tabitha Vance, and I am an interdisciplinary student with two majors, two minors, two cats and too many ideas. I’m a junior at the University of South Alabama studying Russian, Communications, Philosophy and Sociology (I’m bad at making decisions). This summer, I’d like to combine my research interests in a creative, immersive, and innovative way. That, and successfully order a hamburger in my target language without stuttering. I want to work for the State Department, a global non-profit, or any organization that allows me to help people that are the most displaced and disadvantaged—whatever that entails. At the end of the day, there’s a lot of things I want to do, and right now I’m working towards the qualifications and means to do it.
Faculty
Nick Gossett, PhD
University of South Alabama
Assistant Professor, Russian and Applied Linguistics
I am an Assistant Professor of Russian at the University of South Alabama where I am the Russian language program director, the Director of the Language Resource Center, and the coordinator of the minor in Applied Linguistics. I received my BA in History and Russian from the University of South Alabama, and both my MA in Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies and my PhD in Applied (Slavic) Linguistics and Pedagogy from the University of Texas at Austin. I am honored to serve as the President of the Alabama World Languages Education Foundation, Advocacy Chair for the Alabama World Languages Association where I act as the official state representative to the Joint National Committee for Languages, and am the official representative from the International Association for Language Learning Technology to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. I have developed two intensive Russian language study abroad programs, one as part of a Fulbright grant at the University of Texas at Austin and the current program through the University of South Alabama. My research interest are in both language assessment and Russian cultural studies. My current research projects focus on formative assessment in the language classroom, online language teaching, and Russian youth. I enjoy bringing students to Russia so that they can make connections and form their own opinions on the people of Russia.
USA in Russia 2019 