“Nothing surprising. RUDN University is our home”

Who inspired you to enrol in Peoples’ Friendship University?

I’ve had some experience of international communication since I was 5. My father was a geologist. He started to work at People’s Friendship University named after P. Lumumba from its first days. Of course, both responsibility and romance of this higher education institution attracted me. By the time I left school in 1974 I had already known the university environment very well. However, I had to do my best and make some efforts to pass the admission exams and go through all the interviews.

What do you remember best of all from your student years? Did you have any favourite subjects? Perhaps, it was your student hostel?

No, I can’t remember the subjects I didn’t like. Everything was interesting! It was more difficult to master some things, it was easier to master something other — it, of course, is true. And the first hobby was Spanish (I learned English at school). In addition, I danced in the Rhythms of Friendship ensemble and sang in the political song ensemble. That’s why, I travelled a lot (tours!). I went in for skiing and athletics. A lot of friends! Great student life!

I didn’t live in the student hostel. But! I worked in the women’s student construction team. We repaired dormitories, worked on the construction site of the main building of our university in Miklukho-Maklaya street.

There were a lot of things to do in my student years! I graduated from Peoples’ Friendship University in 1980 — the year of the Moscow Olympiad.

Which of your fellow students do you communicate with?

Many of my fellow students stayed at Peoples’ Friendship University to work. That is why we continue our communication up to now. When I had my admission tests, I got acquainted with Tatiana Larina from Lithuania. We became friends, studied in the same group. Now she is Doctor of Philology, Professor of the RUDN University Faculty of Philology, editor of the Russian Journal of Linguistics, which is indexed by SCOPUS. Of course, I am proud!

I also keep in touch with my fellow students from other countries. For example, with Nilakshi Suryanarayan — she teaches at the University of Delhi in India. She received the Pushkin medal for her contribution to the popularization of the Russian language and Russian culture from our President.

Of course, I must name a lot: Anna Ivanova (Sobolev), the author of RFL textbooks, Professor Vladimir Denisenko, literary critic Alexander Chistyakov, Professor Elena Remchukova.... And my foreign fellow students are no less significant in their countries! This list is very extensive... and not only my fellow students, but also my friends and colleagues from other years and faculties.

I am very proud of such friends and colleagues!

Which professions which are not taught at RUDN University were you dreaming of as a child?

And what intellectual professions doesn’t our university, which is focused on classical fundamental education, have?! I dreamed of being a translator and historian. And I enrolled in Philology and became a teacher of Russian as a foreign language. I also received a degree in translation, which I dreamed of.

I am deeply satisfied with my profession! In my student years, I was primarily interested in the structural and systemic features of the language. Therefore, I made attempts to delve into the study of various aspects at different courses: phonetics, grammar, vocabulary, live formation of meanings and senses in speech and language — all this is very interesting. Thanks to my profession, I worked in Ghana, Dominican Republic, Slovakia, and other countries. I learned a lot about people, customs, way of life.

What was the topic of your thesis? What are your impressions from the defense day?

I did research at the Department of General and Russian Linguistics headed by Lev Alekseevich Novikov, a Scientist with a capital letter, at the time. There was a special course in Interlinguistics at the department — I got carried away with this topic. Sergei Nikolayevich Kuznetsov taught it to us, and he became my supervisor. Now he is a professor at Moscow State University. It was considered in my thesis how Peoples’ Friendship University philology students used Spanish words in the flow of Russian speech, and it analysed questions of linguistics and psycholinguistics as well. Then this interest resulted in PhD research. In 1988, I defended my PhD thesis, where the issues of borrowing from Spanish in Russian were considered in a systematic way. The issues of internationalization of the language against the backdrop of globalization remain quite relevant and alive.

The thesis and PhD thesis defense left an impression, but since then I have already passed various exams a lot of times, presented my ideas and projects. And there is always excitement, even fear due to uncertainty — it is my character ... And the joy of overcoming! Everything has worked out. And I work in my field! ...and I think quite well!

What do you like most about your work?

Everything! Can a teacher teach what he does not like? I teach Russian to foreign students — it is my main professional task. I teach a basic course for future teachers of Russian as a foreign language and supervise the internship. I talk about what I know, understand and love in my special courses. Of course, I love it all! I teach students the culture of communication in Russian, how to be literate! And I love this too!

You are a part of a large RUDN University dynasty. Your father was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Vice-Rector of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. You met your husband at RUDN University. Your son also graduated from RUDN University... It’s amazing...

And my sister is a pianist and professor of RUDN University. My son’s wife is also a graduate of our Department of Physics and Mathematics, now she works at the Moscow State University of Foreign Affairs.

My three grandchildren play musical instruments, study languages and are quite talented in mathematics and construction... They go in for sports. There are enough hobbies for everyone. Maybe, they will find their interest at the university. But it isn’t time to speak about it yet.

What’s surprising? It’s just how life has developed, and RUDN University is our home.

You danced in the Rhythms of Friendship. Did dancing hinder or help you to learn?

Dancing is a sport and an art. Hobbies can’t get in the way! They just help you organize your time in a better way! They broaden your horizons and develop empathy. I still love Latin American dances. Of course, I like Russian everyday dances, and I deliberately studied Georgian and Adyghe female choreography as well. I danced both Angolan and Madagascar dances ... By the way, my son also danced in the ensemble for many years. So, here is the dynasty again.

Imagine that RUDN University were a person. What would you give him/her as a birthday present?

I think that our family has already given and continues to give RUDN University everything we have — love, time, labour, life. And since a book is the best gift, I give my creativity: study guides, scientific articles, etc.

What ‘quality’ do you appreciate most in RUDN University?

High level of education and friendship not only between students, but also between teachers and students. It is this kind of friendship and respect, joint activities that provide the conditions for a high scientific and educational level. When there is such a feeling of mutual understanding and friendship, it is always noticeable in research or career success.