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Background: Hannah graduated in fall 2024 with majors in Russian and international studies, successfully completed UF’s AFROTC program, and has been commissioned into the U.S. Air Force. She also wrote a senior thesis, “Language Policy in Education: A Comparative Evaluation of Russian-Speaker Integration in Estonia and Latvia,” which earned her highest honors upon graduation.
Read on to learn more about Hannah’s studies and experiences at UF and the Russian Studies Program!
How would you describe the focus and goals of the honors thesis?
My honors thesis evaluates the effectiveness of Estonia and Latvia’s education systems in increasing the use of their national languages while maintaining the support of their significant Russian-speaking minority populations. Through an examination of post-Soviet education policies designed to re-establish national identities centered around the national languages, I explored how both states sought to balance their goals of linguistic development and internal stability.
What are one or two of the more surprising/interesting things you learned during your research?
My research is inspired by an experience I had while studying abroad in Latvia when a group of Russian-speaking mothers expressed their concerns about how the Latvian education system was failing them. I wanted to understand how it could be improved. My takeaway from the past year and a half of research is that although certain issues can seem very black and white at first, there is an infinite number of perspectives and ways to approach them. I still empathize with the women I met, and I understand their concerns more now than I did at the time, but there are so many different actors and interests at work that creating a universal solution is incredibly difficult. This experience has taught me that when addressing complex policy issues for which long-term solutions are necessary, it’s vital to balance diverse perspectives and priorities.
What are some of the ways the Russian Studies Program (academic and extra-curricular) impacted your college experience?
I didn’t plan on majoring in Russian when I first came to UF, however, after my first semester of Beginner 1 I knew that I wanted to become proficient in the language. It was with the help of the amazing faculty, their flexibility, and support that I was able to achieve this goal. In my second year in the program, I was awarded the opportunity to study abroad in Riga, Latvia for 8 weeks. This was an amazing opportunity afforded to me through Air Force ROTC and took my language skills from beginner to advanced. Throughout the year I continued to progress through Russian elective courses at UF, and the following summer I studied abroad for a second time in Vilnius, Lithuania. These experiences, combined with the support of UF’s Russian faculty, have prepared me to pursue my passions with confidence throughout my career.
What are your plans (however vaguely clarified) once you graduate?
Once I graduate, I will be commissioned into the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and work as an Intelligence Officer, with the hopes of one day working in foreign relations.
What words of advice do you have for students just now taking up Russian studies?
My advice to anyone considering taking up Russian studies is to make the program your own, take advantage of cool opportunities, and go abroad!