“NOW I CAN MAKE RUSSIAN BORSCH!”

Jack’s experience at Enjoy Russian and a piece of advice for Russian language learners

To progress forward with the Russian language goals one needs a real case.  Here’s a short interview with Jack Lawlor who had been learning Russian language at our school and was a volunteer both in the International Summer Camp for kids and teens in Petrozavodsk and English language studio. Jack was studying at Enjoy Russian school twice and achieved great results in Russian. We asked what made him learning Russian and why he decided to take his second trip to Petrozavodsk.

Tell a bit about yourself and why have you started learning Russian?

I’m from Boston and I came here because I’ve been studying Russian language in school and I loved it, I thought it was fantastic. Grammar’d really appealed to me I found the culture interesting so I decided to continue my studies in more depth here (in Petrozavodsk).

What was your first impression from Petrozavodsk and Russia itself ?

I came here first 2 years ago and it’s kind of funny thing to remember because everything seemed so big! And now when I come back for the second time (I’ve been here for couple of months here straight now) it’s very small, maybe because I’ve adjusted to it.

When did you come to recognition you should practice your Russian with locals?

After some situations when I used some Russian word that ends up being just either totally not right or old like the word ИБО (потому что, because. People do not use in in modern Russian). I used it one time in a conversation and somebody laughed at me. That’s why you need practice!

What did you like about being a volunteer in the Summer Camp for kids and teens? 

The teachers I worked with were fantastic. Getting to know all the kids was fantastic too and thinking about my native language in a way I never thought about it before definitely was a new experience. Working in a Camp was so much fun! All around are fantastic people. Everyone was welcoming and very friendly. First I was a student of Russian and then I was a volunteer in English classes, it was interesting to look at things from both sides and gain a little bit of experience in that.

What can you say about your Russian host family?

My host family was super nice, very tasty food very hospitable and happy to talk to me. My host mom even showed me how to cook some stuff, for example Russian borsch!

What Russian cities would you like to visit and why have you chosen Petrozavodsk to learn Russian?

The part of the reason I came to Petrozavodsk is that I talked to other people and their advice was that.  Yeah you could go to Moscow or St. Petersburg but they are so metropolitan,  it’s more like generalized European cities but not Russian. That’s why I chose Petrozavodsk. But  I’ve never been to Moscow and  would definitely visit it. I’d like to travel around Siberia too and go to Baikal.

What food from America do you miss here and what Russian food will you miss back home?

Here I miss a good apple pie! Russian food that I’m going to miss.. Well I can make borsch now! I also know how to make kalitki! There is a supermarket in Boston that sells pel’meni. So I can get those too.

What would you advice to people who just start learning Russian?

I would say avoid the temptation to translate! It’s tough at the beginning but it’s how you start defining new Russian words and the ones you already know, that makes all come together a lot quicker.

Russian vs. American. What is the difference?

I feel like Russians seem a bit less approachable (on the streets for example), they smile a bit less but once you actually talk to them they are so friendly, there is always a bit barrier to overcome. But in all Russians are very similar to American people.

In what 3 words would you describe Enjoy Russian school?

Friendly, immersive and welcoming!

Thank you Jack! We hope to see you in Petrozavodsk soon! If you want to become a volunteer in Russia or just learn the language and travel the country feel free to choose one of our courses.   Haven’t seen Russian video lessons with Jack? Enjoy!