In this post, we’re chatting with Kristian, a student from Sweden who scored a CSN funding and spent 12 weeks taking a course at RLA BORN in Riga. He’s here to share all about his experience – the ups, the challenges, and what he learned along the way. Let’s dive in and hear his story!
Let’s start with the basics! How did you first hear about Russian Language Academy BORN, and what made you decide to take a 12-week Russian course in Riga?
I did a google search and found the school on the internet. Need to say I liked the website and the school gave a very professional and warm impression. I also had a friend that had studied for 3 weeks in Riga and recommended Russian Language Academy BORN.
Teaching style matters a lot when learning a new language. How would you describe the teaching approach at RLA BORN? Was it different from how you studied Russian before?
It’s definitely different! At RLA BORN we switched teachers almost every week. That way we heard Russian in different ways and had teachers that had different personalities. Some were funny, some were serious, some were talkative and some wanted us to speak as much as possible. That way we never got bored or felt that the education was monotonous!
Atmosphere can make or break the learning experience. What was the vibe at the school? Did you feel supported and motivated?
I’d like to answer this question with an anecdote. I had just arrived in Riga and started studying at RLA BORN. I had studied Russian for one course at my university and had a basic understanding. Studying during the first week was a real challenge because I barely understood the teacher, struggled with the assignments, and could hardly keep up. I felt frustrated, stressed, and stupid.
On Friday, we had a written exam to assess how much we had learned during the week. This allowed the teachers to identify any specific difficulties we were facing and adjust the lessons accordingly. I took the exam and felt very disappointed with my performance. I received an average score of about 60% in comprehension and felt as though I had failed in some way—as if I would need to switch to a lower-level class.
Barely five seconds after reading my grade, my teacher started speaking. She said that, as a student who had just arrived in Riga, had jumped straight into the course, and had only a week to learn complicated Russian grammar, achieving 60% was actually a very good result—and that I should be proud of it.
It was exactly what I needed to hear. It gave me the confidence to keep working hard in class and to persevere, even when it felt like climbing a mountain with no end in sight! Because it does get easier—especially with the support of great teachers!
Cultural experience time! What were some of the most memorable cultural activities you participated in while in Riga? (And… did you try any weird but delicious local food?)
The most memorable was definitely dancing Latvian folk dance at a medieval bar on Wednesdays!
Your Russian professor back home must have been curious about your progress. When you returned to university in Sweden, did they notice a difference in your Russian skills? Any funny moments where they were extra impressed (or shocked)?
They really appreciated that I had gone abroad to study Russian in Riga and wanted me to encourage my classmates to consider studying abroad as well. I think one thing they particularly valued was that I could conjugate numbers! At one point, we all had to practice numbers, and I was one of the few who could do it correctly!
Now, let’s talk about the best parts! What were your favorite things about studying at RLA BORN in Riga? (Teaching, classmates, city life—spill the details!)
Well one thing I really appreciated was how close everything is in Riga. I had the classroom, grocery store, city center and the gym within a 10 min walk. And everything is so cheap! The food, the drinks, the souvenirs and the transportation. I come from a country that is very expensive so really appreciated that I could go out or eat lunch without breaking the bank!
For future students from Sweden—CSN funding is a big deal! Was it difficult to apply? What are the key things to get right in the application process?
It was really easy! You just send in what school you’re studying at and CSN does the rest. The only thing to be mindful of is to make sure to keep the diploma you receive at the end of the course. CSN will want to see it to make sure you used the money to study and not to waste it all on food and alcohol 🙂 ! That way you won’t have any issues if you apply for funds for future courses.
If you could give one piece of advice to students considering a language immersion program in Riga, what would it be?
If you want the most effective and fast way of learning Russian then you should do the course. And be aware that the first week will feel like a cold shower with new impressions, but it passes quick as long as you don’t give up!
Final question! Would you do it all over again? Maybe even take another course at RLA BORN in the future?
I’m definitely considering it! The education at the university turned out to be different from what I had expected. Therefore I’d love to come back to RLA BORN and really feel that I’m progressing!