The CLS Program provides fully funded immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world. We talked with both recipients about their interest in Russian and the opportunity to continue their studies in the language this summer.
What is your interest in learning Russian?
Xavier McMahon ’27
Majors: World Politics and Russian Studies
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
McMahon: As long as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in Russian culture, especially Russian music. I think it’s a really beautiful and expressive language, and that carries over through its music. Russia is also a country that I have been interested in for a long time. When I was younger, I would spend a lot of my free time reading books and watching movies about Russia — I just really enjoyed learning about it. It was a place that seemed so different from America but also in some ways so similar, and I found that relationship to be intriguing.
I became academically interested in Russian studies after I took Professor Sharon Rivera’s Politics in Russia class. It was a very interesting course that investigated the modern history and political culture of the country. After taking that course, I became seriously interested in learning the Russian language and studying the country academically, which is something I have really enjoyed and found to be very engaging.
Naval Lappalainen ’25
Majors: History and Russian Studies
Hometown: Wilmington, Del.
Lappalainen: I’ve been studying Russian at Hamilton since my sophomore year. I really enjoy learning languages and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to learn a new language in an academic setting before I graduated. I only planned to take Russian for one year, but I ended up really enjoying the language-learning process and decided to continue studying the language into my senior year and beyond.
What experiences have you had with the Russian language at Hamilton or elsewhere?
McMahon: Last summer, I took part in Indiana University’s Russian language workshop, which is an in-person, nine-week intensive Russian language immersion program. The program was a difficult but rewarding experience. The expectations are very high, even for beginner Russian students like I was when I enrolled in the program; students are expected to communicate entirely in Russian and take part in a full Russian immersion experience. There are definitely challenges in learning a language like that, but I found the program and overall living experience to be amazing, and by the end of the program I had developed a lot both in my skills with the Russian language and also in my ability to adapt to new situations and experiences.
After that program, I began studying Russian on campus with Assistant Professor of Russian Studies Ani Abrahamyan. I really enjoy the Russian studies program at Hamilton. All of the professors are dedicated to both their students and their fields of research. I feel like there is a real sense of camaraderie among the Russian language students and with our professors. Overall, it’s been a great experience.
How did you select your destination?
Lappalainen: The Critical Language Program has two sites for Russian students, one in Latvia and the other in Kyrgyzstan. Although I did not have a choice in the placement process, I was hoping to be placed in Kyrgyzstan. I’m fascinated by the intersections between the Soviet and Central Asian worlds that occur in cities like Bishkek. Additionally, I’ve heard that Kyrgyz communities are very welcoming and hospitable, so I’m looking forward to forming new bonds in such a unique part of the world.
McMahon: I’m really happy that I will get to go to Latvia, especially since my former roommate from my program at Indiana University has also been selected to study there.
What are you most looking forward to in your travel?
Lappalainen: I’m looking forward to spending time in Bishkek and getting to know the city more. Additionally, the natural environment of Kyrgyzstan will provide me with plenty to do when I’m not in class. I plan to spend time hiking and riding horses on the weekends. Of course, I’m also looking forward to improving my written and oral skills in Russian.
What keeps you busy on campus?
McMahon: I’m a founding member and on the e-board of Teremok, Hamilton’s student organization for the cultures of the former USSR and Eastern Europe.
Lappalainen: On campus, I’m co-captain of the Mock Trial Team. I also work as a peer tutor at the Oral Communication Center and as a research assistant in the Russian Studies Department.
Fellowship Advising at Hamilton
Students interested in learning about the Critical Languages Scholarship should contact Director of Student Fellowships Lisa Grimes.
