I believe that in the era of globalization, everyone should have the opportunity to live and study abroad. Such an experience helps to expand your consciousness and learn new things about yourself — how do you behave in a reality completely different from the one you are used to? What are your limits, fears, and unknown pleasures? When living abroad, a person encounters other cultures, languages, and people — opening up a completely new world. I think our brains absorb everything like a sponge during our university years; it’s the perfect time to engage in foreign experiences.

I used to work as a travel guide in Montenegro. Soon after, I obtained a CELTA certificate, making me a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language.

Having studied in New York, I can say with confidence that the best years of my life were during university. Not only did I make friends with people of all backgrounds, but I truly came to understand myself — or, rather, what the self is. I spent every day trying something new, almost intentionally embracing mistakes. After all, we learn best from our blunders, not our success.

Being born and raised in the United States, pursuing my education there seemed like the natural choice. However, as most people are aware, education in America can come with a hefty price tag. So, the real question was to find a university that wouldn’t leave me in debt. Opting for a public university within the state where I resided appeared to be the best solution, since it offered lower tuition fees. Given that I completed high school in New York, my sights were set on applying to programs within the state.

The allure of studying in Manhattan captivated me — I preferred an urban setting rather than the countryside of upstate New York. Among the array of options, my attention was immediately drawn to CUNY Hunter College, almost as if my intuition guided me towards it. The tuition at Hunter amounts to approximately 6,000 USD per year — but thanks to a combination of scholarships and financial aid, I managed to cover half of that expense.

I had no clue what I wanted to study after graduating from high school — I applied to various universities quite blindly, relying on good grades and a vague motivation letter about my background in hopes of being accepted. To my advantage, majors are declared after your sophomore year at Hunter College.

I started off taking Philosophy classes and took on a minor in International Relations, but soon after became enthralled with the Religion program. Every student is required to take a number of courses to satisfy the General Education Requirement, one of which has to be on American history. Tribal Religions fulfilled this requirement, which I eagerly signed up for. Thus began my journey in religious studies. One day after the lecture, my professor kept me after class — she urged me to major in Religion after reading several of my essays. At the time, I was already halfway done with my Philosophy major, so I ended up double majoring in both subjects. Everything came together in time, and I managed to finish all of the programs (Philosophy, Religion and International Relations) within four years.

The main difference between a major and a minor is the number of courses you take and the amount of time you dedicate to the subject. For a minor, you only have to take around five or six courses. Double that amount, and you have a major.

Yes, but I admit that my English surpasses my command of Russian, particularly in terms of writing. Being born in the United States naturally immersed me in an English-speaking environment, where I absorbed the language through exposure to television, literature, and interactions with people.

I learned Russian at home with the help of my mother. She ensured that Russian was spoken in the household and gave me textbooks to study the written form of the language. Additionally, I had the opportunity to live with my grandmother in Moscow during my 3rd and 8th-grade, where I further perfected my grammar skills in a native environment.

The first thing that comes to mind is the amount of classes and level of difficulty. In the United States, it is customary to have around six subjects per academic year, with a relatively lighter curriculum. In contrast, during my 8th-grade year in Russia, I had to tackle a staggering twenty classes and even attend school on Saturdays, which left me utterly astounded. Moreover, the teaching styles and methods employed by instructors differ significantly — Russian schools are renowned for their stern, elderly teachers. Nearly every facet of the educational system differs, extending from the school cafeteria to disciplinary measures. Experiencing this difference was fascinating, undoubtedly shaping my worldview.

I wouldn't necessarily say so. Most people remain unaware of my Russian heritage until they learn my name. Of course, upon hearing it, they tend to inquire about my background. But in general, nothing out of the ordinary occurs. After all, the United States is a country of immigrants, and New York is the epitome of a melting pot. That being said, it's worth noting that attitudes can vary depending on the state. Take states like Alabama or Ohio, where the population tends to be more homogeneous. In such regions, you predominantly encounter individuals who are third or fourth-generation Americans — and as a first-generation immigrant, you might experience different treatment.

I think it’s more pertinent to reverse your question: "Do you encounter any unusual attitudes while living in Russia?" Without a doubt, yes. As soon as Russians discover that I come from the United States, I can imagine what it feels like to be an extraterrestrial who accidentally landed on Earth.

The vastness of America necessitates comparing almost every state to Russia. Having grown up in Miami and studied in New York, I have encountered significant differences between these two melting pot cities, ranging from prices to the pace of life. Florida is sometimes referred to as a separate country altogether.

While it may be difficult to highlight major differences between Russia and the United States, I have observed many similarities between Moscow and New York. Both cities offer abundant opportunities, and their cultures, or at least the rhythm of life, bear resemblances. Perhaps this could be attributed to the influence of Western culture on Russian megacities, coupled with the impact of modern technology. I can, however, declare that the subway in Moscow far surpasses its counterpart in New York. The Moscow Metro is truly remarkable, with each station showcasing years of rich history. Meanwhile, the New York MTA is lacking in aesthetic appeal — we’re talking rats — with infrequent train schedules.

I have explored a total of twelve countries, yet the one that truly stands out in my memory is Albania. I traveled there completely alone by bus, not at all knowing what to expect. The country was under the iron-fisted rule of Enver Hoxha for four decades, and many architectural remnants from this period are still around to this day — the most notable being the bunkers scattered across the country. More so, the Albanian language is not like any other, being very interesting to read and listen to.

My favorite hobby is analog photography. Film is capable of capturing all the emotions felt at the moment the photograph was taken, which I find digital photography simply incapable of conveying.

I relax by means of walking — I can walk for hours without feeling tired. An explorer at heart, I love searching for hidden gems wherever I go (of course, with my trusty camera in hand). I also enjoy nature and all things green, often going on hikes with my loved ones.