Online lessons of Russia’s most famous polyglot Dmitry Petrov helped me to significantly improve my English before the start of my very first exchange program in the United States. That’s why I decided to turn to his help once again prior to the start of my study abroad program in Paris. While Petrov certainly is an exceptional teacher, I now realize that it is not only smart and easy tables and exercises that make his language programs so effective but it is also the idea of a dream that he grows in every single one of his students. Every time when you are scared of speaking in a new language you need to, as Lennon and McCartney would put it, “picture yourself in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies,” and of course, when “somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly” but in the language that is not your own. In other words, imagine the perfect setting in which you are easily speaking the new language and simply enjoying yourself…
When I first followed Petrov’s advice I was studying English and more than anything else wanted to buy a ticket on top of the Empire State building and see the city of my dreams, and that dream not only came true but grew into the reality of living in the United States and adopting English as my second language. With French, however, I always had two conflicting dream pictures. First, of course, was ordering a cup of coffee and a croissant in a little Parisian cafe. Something among the lines of Sex and the City the American Girl in Paris episode. On the other hand, however, I pictured myself having a heated political discussion with a large group of people. Now, after spending several days in Paris, I realize that the beauty of being in this city not as a tourist but as an exchange student is the opportunity to live through both of my dream pictures… Well, except it will certainly take some time before my French reaches conversational level.
Learning another language is certainly one of the reasons why I chose to study in Paris but as a scholar of Political Science by far more important to me is the opportunity to study at one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions which has an endless list of notable alumni and a reputation of an “elitist” and “snobbish” school. I deliberately use quotation marks because I personally don’t believe that those two terms alone can be used to describe Sciences Po. As of now, I believe that this institution has every reason to be loud and proud. I can already say with certainty that it can be proud of its exceptionally smart and enthusiastic students and I will learn about the rest in the near future.
What are some of my expectations for the upcoming semester? I look forward to learning about the current political state of the world from the European perspective, meeting people from all of France and the world who, as I am convinced, will be my colleges in the future and who will shape the future state of world politics. I look forward to joining Sciences Po Model UN team and taking advantage of all the events available at the university. I, of course, hope to take advantage of Europe’s amazing transportation system and visit some of neighboring countries but also travel within France. I am excited to see some of the best museums and art collections in the world, listen to great music and try absolutely delicious food. What makes this time even more memorable and exceptional is sharing all of the memories with my best friend Erin and all the people I was able to meet and reconnect with so far. Fears..? Only one. Of not having enough time.
