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"People beginning to understand that Russia will continue to play an important role" – Interview with Daniel Babinsky

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"People beginning to understand that Russia will continue to play an important role" – Interview with Daniel Babinsky

12.07.2009

Relations between Russia and America have always been an interesting and ambiguous affair. There have been times when the two countries have seen each other as friends and allies, and there have also been periods where the relationship has been much colder. There is the hope, though, that old prejudices are finally giving way to new beliefs and that our relations will start to be formed on the basis of partnership and serious intercultural dialogue. For a long time it’s been common for Russian students to travel to study in foreign countries – in England, France and, of course, the United States. To a lesser degree, the reverse phenomenon has been happening as well, although Western students coming to study in Russia is no long a rarity. Daniel Babinsky, an American with Bachelor’s degree in Economics, has come to Russia for the second time to study Russian, as well as to learn more about the country’s culture and daily life. He shared with us his thoughts on Russian instruction in America, study in Russia and about Americans’ attitudes toward our country.

– Daniel, why exactly did you choose to study Russian?

– When I was in school, I studied Spanish, which is widely spoken in America now. When I entered the university, I wanted to try a new language. Russia had always been interesting to me, so it seemed interesting to study Russian. That’s something rare in America. I was in my second year when I finally decided to study Russian. I simply thought, “well, let’s see, maybe it’ll be interesting.” After a semester or two it really got me hooked. Everything else Russian started to interest me as well, so I continued with the language. Right now, I’m continuing to study it, and I hope that with time I’ll speak and understand it better. My Master’s thesis is also devoted to Russia.

– On the whole, how is Russian instruction in the U.S.?

– In the schools they don’t teach Russian at all. In the schools generally you can only study Spanish or French, sometimes German and sometimes Chinese. Most American students learn Spanish, but in the universities, of course, there’s a greater selection. After two years of studying Russian at the university I had the opportunity to take special courses, for example, on the language of culture, language of the media or language of politics. 

– How did your trip to Russia come about?

– We have government grants for those who want to study Russian, either in America or in Russia. I applied for the student program and received such a grant. I had studied in Russia previously through my university’s program, and I really wanted to come back. Thanks to this grant, I was able to come back and study Russian here.

– Which program brought you to Russia the first time?

– My university has a study abroad program. The most popular countries are Italy and France, because students like the idea of studying where it’s warm and they can relax. Also, the programs there are easier than what they had back on campus in America. But there’s also a program here in Moscow. I wanted to travel and decided to come to Russia. Paying for education abroad is no more expensive than staying on campus, so I decided, why not? Why not go there?

– Where are you studying in Russia?

– At the Academy of National Economy. This year there are eight students from our program here. We had good professors who came here from America, and we also attended lectures by Russian professors, including by the academy’s rector, Vladimir Mau.

America has maybe ten universities with Master’s programs devoted to Russia. Many people who’ve studied in such programs work for the government – in our State Department (similar to your Ministry of Foreign Affairs), in the Defense Department or in the Commerce Department. There are many other types of jobs connected with Russia. Finally, there are a lot of private companies who need specialists on Russia.

– How do Americans envision life in Russia? What are their attitudes toward Russians?

– To me it seems that young people think too little about Russia. Many Russians I’ve talked to have asked me, “Do they think we’re enemies?” No, they don’t think that, but they often don’t think about Russians in general. About ten or fifteen years ago, there was this notion that Russia had ceased to be an important country. Only now are people beginning to understand that Russia will continue to play an important role and that they need to think about it.

Older people, perhaps, sometimes remember the Cold War and don’t trust Russians. My ancestors came to America from the Russian Empire, and my grandmother, for example (her parents came from Ukraine), asked me, “Why are you studying Russian? We left Russia and don’t want to go back.” This attitude, though, seems like it’s far in the past. Right now there are areas where we can work together. Our interests won’t always be different. I hope that when Americans come to Russia and when Russians go to America, there will be a trust that we can build and strengthen.

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