Alumni Remember Russian Studies
Our particularly small class sizes encourage faculty-student interaction, and our alumni often write after graduation to let us know how their education has helped them in their careers. Portions of their stories are below.
If you are an alum who would like to be included, please send us your story.
Ms. Ashley Kesner, '06
The Russian Studies degree program is by far one of the most unique at George Mason University. Studying a challening language can be difficult, but when you have professors willing to stay after class to help you, you will find that the language is not so difficult after all. My classmates were almost like family members, in that we formed close bonds in class, and also participated in many Russian Club events outside of class. Many students from Russian courses have held officer positions in our Russian Club, and helped to plan many events to include film nights, parties, conversation hour, and museum trips. The Russian Studies program will allow a student to take a multitude of courses. The Russian language study is heavily stressed, but the degree program includes literature courses in English and Russian, as well as courses in history and politics.
With encouragement from my professors, I spent a summer abroad in Moscow, Russia through the ACTR study abroad program. In addition, I studied Soviet history and Russian literature for a semester abroad at Oxford University. When I became a senior, my professors gave me advice about going to graduate school, and I was accepted to the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign for Russian and East European Studies and to the University of Virginia for Slavic Linguistics. I chose to attend the University of Virginia next fall, and I am indebted to the Russian Studies faculty for their advice and all of the recommendations they wrote for me. My advice to incoming students is this: if you are unsure about your major, give Russian a chance. It could be your stepping stone to an exciting and promising career.
Mr. Thomas Jordan, '05
I came to George Mason while serving full-time in the Marine Corps as an interpreter for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Not only was the Russian Studies program willing to accept me so that I could pursue a degree in Russian Studies, the professors went out of their way not only to accommodate me, but to ensure that I received the maximum benefit from attending the University. From advising to working around a sometimes hectic schedule, the faculty went above and beyond to assist me and to ensure that my experience at GMU was challenging and rewarding.
It was in this outstanding environment and working with enthusiastic students that I was able to expand greatly upon my knowledge not only of the Russian language, but also of course on the history, politics and culture of Russia as well. I was able to improve my professional skills and deepen my personal knowledge of Russia and its people. Studying the Russian language at GMU provided me not only with improvement while I was attending; it has also enabled me to pursue my career in the field further.
Shortly after receiving my degree, my service at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency was up and I was transferred to Monterey, California to serve as an instructor at the Defense Language Institute, where I had begun my study of Russian. Now that I am here, I am taking advantage of the opportunities provided to me by my studies at GMU and have been accepted into the Master's Program in International Policy / Non-Proliferation at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Mr. Ashley B. Machnick, '05
Aside from the interesting culture and the challenge of learning a non-traditional language, what really drew me into the Russian Studies program were the small class sizes and intimate relationships I began to form with the teachers. I truly feel that I have obtained an education rivaling any top private school.
In addition, I feel as though gaining a degree in Russian has set me up perfectly for the working world. Employers these days are looking for someone who stands out, someone who can learn difficult new concepts and is not afraid of a challenge. Earning a degree in Russian sends a message that I am more mentally flexible than your average degree seeker and that I am motivated to tackle and overcome challenging obstacles. Learning Russian opens the mind up in new ways and it is precisely these capacities of mental dexterity that single out an individual from the rest of the aspiring workers. I feel without a doubt that earning a degree in Russian Studies has placed me in an ideal position to enter the workforce and land an intellectually challenging and satisfying job.
Mr. Danny Forbes, '00
Danny Forbes is a program manager in the Moscow office of Technology Management Company, a Fairfax, Virginia, firm that provides management and support services to clients in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union.
In a recent interview for the Mason Spirit, a magazine for university alumni and friends, Forbes said, “This is my dream job! In my job as a liaison with the Russian ministries of Defense, Atomic Energy, and Foreign Affairs, I draw a lot from the classes I took in Russian government and culture.”
“Understanding Russia’s role in the world and in the region, particularly Russia’s ties with the Scandinavian and Baltic states, has allowed me to critically analyze Russia’s participation in our program much deeper and has made my contribution to the success of the program that much more valuable,” he said. “Also understanding the culture and local community has helped me develop personal relationships with our partners in Russia.”
“The Russian language program at Mason gave me the skills that initially landed me this job because being able to read, write, and converse in Russian was a requirement. I also draw a lot from the classes I took in Russian government and culture.”