Privet! Hello! My name is Natasha, and I'm currently living in Yaroslavl, a small Russian city about 160 miles northeast of Moscow. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Connecticut, where I started studying foreign languages so I could travel and meet new types of people someday. My interest in Russia began with my mom, who studied Russian literature in college. She decided to name me after one of her favorite characters from the novel War and Peace by the writer Leo Tolstoy.
Russian history stretches across more than 1,000 years, and the United States is a baby by comparison--just over 200 years old! However, traveling and living in Russia starts to highlight both differences and similarities between our two countries. That's why I decided to apply for a U.S. Fulbright Research Grant, so I can talk to ordinary people in Russia and learn about how they relate to their country, culture and history. A big part of what I want to do is help people in Russia and people in the United States like you understand each other better. Currently, I am in Yaroslavl researching local women's activism and learning what it's like to live in a small Russian city where I hope to eat a lot of pelmeni (Russian dumplings). I can't wait to share my experiences with you and hear about your own journeys through the school year!
