Hey there!

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Erick, a fellow language enthusiast from the USA who came to Latvia to learn Russian for 8 months. So, let’s dive in and hear firsthand from Erick about his language-learning adventure in Latvia.

What motivated you to come to Latvia to study Russian? Were there any particular reasons or experiences that influenced this decision?

My main motivation for coming to Latvia to study Russian was to gain a more in-depth understanding of the cultures of Latvia and its Russian-speaking community. I grew up in the Latvian-American community and was always interested in my heritage. So I wanted to explore that further. Living in Riga would allow me to strengthen both my Russian and Latvian language skills and connect with my ancestral homeland.

How do you see your Latvian and American roots upbringing Influencing your perspective on the Russian language and Latvian culture? Are there any unique insights or perspectives you bring to your studies because of this background?

I believe that my Latvian roots have given me a unique perspective on the languages and history of Latvia. Having attended Latvian summer school programs in the United States throughout my childhood, I already came to Latvia with a strong foundation of knowledge. My Russian immersion experience has accentuated my learning, helping me better understand Latvia’s interesting cultural dynamics and approach issues with deeper insights.

If you want to hear more about Erick’s language-learning adventure in Latvia and his unique insights and experiences, read the full interview here.