Graziella Pavone (IMARS 2006): «Umom Rossiyu ne ponyat'»

International programs

September 15, 2009

«Umom Rossiyu ne pony at’», reads a well-known Russian poem that verbalizes something anyone who decides to go to Russia and study there will sooner or later come to terms with. For this purpose, the International MA in Russian Studies at the European University at St. Petersburg is a useful tool for understanding the proverbially complex Russian world, providing various keys of analytical research as well as precious insights on Russia and the countries of the former Soviet space. Although similar disciplines are taught in prestigious European and American Universities, I would say that there is obviously no better place to understand the Russian kaleidoscope than Russia.

For me, studying at the EUSP has been a very challenging and crucial experience, which certainly broadened my horizons, in terms of the knowledge I have gained, as well as in terms of skills I could improve and develop. Having previously studied International Relations, when I applied for the Master’s degree, my aim was essentially to acquire a specialized knowledge of the socio-political situation of the country and avail myself of first-hand information and direct access to the sources.

The rich choice of courses offered by the program, ranging from Russian domestic and foreign politics to political economy, or from contemporary history to ethnic issues in post-Soviet space, is meant to provide an interdisciplinary training which can be further narrowed by the student who wishes to specialize in one of the disciplines. All of the classes were very interesting and extremely formative. Since I was unable to attend more than six courses out of the fourteen offered (and I was interested in all of them), I decided to take only one more class, and if it had not been for the burden of homework, I would have taken even more. It should be pointed out that much depends on individual motivation, as the program very much relies onself-organization and commitment. Those who do not fear bureaucratic headaches or occasional administrative hurdles are without any doubt on the right track to get the best out of it and experience an unforgettable stay in Russia.

The strongest side of IMARS is definitely the human capital, i.e. the quality of teaching and the professors' commitment. Lectures were in most of the cases well-organized in order to stimulate dynamic discussion, giving way to inspiring brainstorming in an international environment. Class after class we grew keener and our research skills sharper. My professors were first-class experts who, totally committed to their work, created a very friendly environment and assisted us in every possible way. Being in a small university, we easily had access to them and we even spent extra-curricular time with many of them, thanks to their enthusiasm and motivation. In addition to their excellent academic preparation, the professors' dedication was beyond limits. My thesis advisor¹ would e-mail me even when he was on business trip in Tatarstan and would send me his comments on my chapters. Irina², would not only take us by the hand through the thick forest of the language but would also never miss an opportunity to make sure we would understand Petersburg and the «Russian soul." We went on a study-trip to Novgorod with our energetic History professor³ à la recherche of Russia’s distant past and find there new questions, new answers, new angles. Along similar lines, I will never forget an extra class on Art history4 under the rain, reading poems about the «inaccessible ruins» of Novaya Gollandia in front of its gate on a cold winter evening; mixing with young Russian talents at a post-modern art event, or attending exclusive theatre performances with Leonid Mozgovoi playing only for us in an old Dostoevsky-style mansard…

From my experience, the magic formula of the program is without doubt a mixture of high level training andin-country experience. For example, while extra-curricular activities were not formalized in the program itself, we had, nonetheless, the opportunity to enjoy plenty of them after we learned how to make good use of our spirit of initiative. In a climate of discovery and enthusiasm for one semester we carried out a project, the «Ostranenie» film club, which screened Russian and Soviet films. The idea, born during one of our exciting classes on Media and Mass Communications5, became itself an instrument of further knowledge for us. Although we certainly lacked resources to give resonance to the film-club, we nonetheless enjoyed the high potential of the experiment. Every time I had the chance I would take all the opportunities to attend seminars or conferences at the University even though they were not always specifically linked to my Master’s program.

My knowledge of Russia has improved considerably and my cultural background has been enriched on all fronts. Most of all, I have gained the tools to continue along this path and make good use of them in my future endeavors. I would without doubt recommend the program to anyone seriously interested in living and working in Russia. IMARS is definitely more than just an intellectual experience-it’s a state of mind!

Graziella Pavone,
IMARS 2005–06

1 Professor Eduard Ponarin
2 Irina Sapunova, the Russian language instructor
3 Sergei Podbolotov
4 Dimitri Ozerkov, Stanislav Savitskii. Utopia & Identity: Russian 20th century Art
5 Pavel Lyssakov. Media and Mass Communication: Contemporary Methodology in the Post-Soviet Context