Literature for me is not merely text, but a mirror of a people's psychology, history and philosophy — YSU student

European horizons: academic experience abroad

Nora recently had the opportunity to spend a semester studying at Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic, through the Erasmus+ program. She studied a range of subjects there —20th-Century Russian Literature, Cultural Studies, Russian Grammar and Russian Philology — and began learning Czech.

"These courses allowed me to look at language and literature from an entirely new perspective, through a methodology used abroad. I gained in-depth knowledge of Russian culture, everyday life and historical context, which helped me better understand the underlying meanings of literary works," she says.

Nora was particularly impressed by the student-centered approach of the European education system.

"At Palacky University, considerable emphasis was placed on individual research. Students are given a high degree of academic freedom. At both YSU and Palacky University, lecturers take a distinctly collaborative approach. A lecturer is not merely someone who imparts knowledge, but also a kind of adviser who guides the student," she emphasizes.

Literature as mirror

For Nora, literature is not merely text, but "a mirror of a people's psychology, history and philosophy." 

"My academic interests center on Russian literature, particularly Russian national literature. My interest in this subject stems from the fact that literature, for me, is not merely text, but a mirror of a people's psychology, history and philosophy. The knowledge I gained and the new methods I learned in the Czech Republic motivated me even further to explore in depth the influence of Russian literature on world culture," she says, before naming her favorite writers. "I admire the elevated portrayal of women in Chekhov's works, as well as Pushkin's ballads." 

According to Nora, her strong academic performance, reflected in her GPA, played a primary role in enabling her to continue her studies abroad. In addition, her language proficiency and strong desire to integrate into an international educational environment were taken into account, with the ultimate aim of returning to her home country and contributing to her home university. 

Looking to the future

Nora aims to promote the introduction of modern methods of foreign-language teaching in Armenia.

"In the future, I would like to work in education, translation or international relations, where deep, fundamental knowledge of the Russian language and literature, combined with advanced European experience, will enable me to work as a competitive professional," the YSU student adds.