For most undergraduate students pursuing a major in engineering, studying a foreign language or studying abroad for that matter is often overlooked due to an intense course load of math and science requirements.
But Anna, a junior at Case Western Reserve University working toward a major in mechanical engineering, studied Spanish, Chinese, and Russian during high school, where she developed a belief that languages were integral to her future career.
It was her knack for languages that led her to Almaty, Kazakhstan despite the fact that there were almost no engineering study abroad programs available that would help her advance her Russian language skills. Anna chose to study abroad at a local university in Almaty and took engineering classes meant for local students meaning the classes were conducted entirely in Russian. She finished her semester abroad knowing that not only was her Russian sufficient enough to use in daily encounters but that her language skills were developed enough to use effectively in an engineering laboratory setting.
Anna's interest in engineering stems from a dream of creating something new and innovative to help humanity better use its shared resources. Language is yet another tool that will allow her to share, connect, and solve issues across the globe. Anna says, "My dream job is to collaborate with countries who work on the International Space Station to build infrastructure on Mars. I hope that one day, this will allow scientists from different countries to engage in collaborative research while treating our world responsibly."
With Russian being a key language for anyone working in the space and engineering industry, Anna's understanding of Russian language and culture will serve her well as she enters the global workforce.
About Anna
Anna studied intensive Russian and took engineering electives in Almaty, Kazakhstan through the Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) as a Boren Scholar. She is a rising junior at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
During high school, she immersed herself in Russian language and culture in Kirov and Kazan, Russia through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). Anna has also studied Spanish and Chinese. Read more about Anna's experience combining her Russian language studies and engineering major in Kazakhstan.
About the Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP)
One of the oldest and most respected overseas Russian immersion programs available to students today, RLASP is designed to improve participants' oral, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in Russian language and to develop their knowledge of Russian history, politics, culture, and society in Almaty, Kazakhstan; or Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Vladimir, Russia.
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