I always felt Russian in my heart
"I was constantly reading Russian fairy tales, my grandfather loved Russia very much. So I always felt Russian in my heart, even though I was born in Sri Lanka.
The study of foreign languages is a kind of consequence of the British rule in the past. It’s over now, but, anyway, we’ve been learning English since kindergarten. There are several languages spoken in our country: Tamil, Sinhala and many dialects, but English is always used as lingua franca — as a link for communication between people.
The USA or Russia — this was my only choice when I decided to study abroad. My excellent English spoke in favor of America, but Russia was a child’s love of Pushkin’s fairy tales and Chekhov’s short stories. Child’s love was stronger. RUDN University is well-known among Sri Lankan entrants, it’s quoted and considered a good step to get a prestigious job in the field of education.
I chose “Theoretical and applied linguistics”. In the first year, I conducted a comparative analysis of cultural and linguistic differences between representatives of different countries.
I like to work with children under two years old, it’s an amazing experience: I can learn Russian, and they learn English instead. I really want to teach “special” children — sometimes we don’t pay enough attention to them, and this situation needs to change. Children’s education is a special topic for me — I have some experience and knowledge that allows me to look deeper at problems and find solutions.
I wonder how brain functions when learning a language and constructing sentences — after lessons, I often have questions about how it works. That’s why I plan to develop the topic in the context of teaching dyslexics. And I would like to write a dissertation on neuro-linguistics at a postgraduate school in Oxford or Cambridge.
In three years, a new linguistic educational program will be launched in my country, and I will take the chance to be a pioneer in the development of language classes. The prestige of RUDN diploma will help me get a teaching position in one of the best universities of Sri Lanka".
On a Sunday winter day at the exhibition named “Russia” RUDN University gathered students, partners, colleagues, and organized lectures under the title “We are different! We are equal! We are together!” The event took place in Pavilion 57 on the platform of the Russian Society “Znanie”. And on this day the hall was jam-packed.
The event was attended by more than 350 students from Russia, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. The students organized an exhibition of the fraternity, introducing the guests to national dances, treating them to Algerian coffee, Arabic sweets and talked about the culture and history of the people of the country. The week ended with a futsal tournament.
On the eve of the New Year, we are summing up the past 365 days and set new goals for the next year. Whatever we do — study, work or do research — we intend to conquer even higher peaks.