At RLA BORN, our students are at the heart of everything we do. Each one brings a unique story, perspective, and passion that helps shape our vibrant community. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to John. And as he said himself: “Moral of the story: Never forget to give a journalist a word limit.”
1. John, you’ve spent your career asking questions. What made you decide it was time to answer one yourself—specifically, “What if I learned Russian in Latvia?” What led you to BORN in Riga?
My Russian was stagnating, even declining for want of practice in SW France. I love the language and wanted to halt and reverse the trend. So, where to go? Studying in Russia itself has become risky for U.S. nationals, even private citizens like myself. So I began an Internet search. I considered Armenia, Georgia, even Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Latvia quickly emerged as an ideal option since it’s 1.) a NATO and EU member and 2.) in the euro and Schengen zones. Plus, the number of Russian speakers in the population meant using the language there would be more than a classroom exercise—it’s could be part of my daily life. I contacted BORN and another Latvian school by email, and BORN (by far) responded with the quickest and most detailed and encouraging replies.
2. You chose a full-immersion approach—private lessons and a local host family. Can you paint a picture of a typical day during your four weeks at BORN? Was it all case endings and conjugation, or were there some unexpected delights?
Yes, there was Russian grammar, but solely at my request. Living as a temporary member of the Krivane family in Kalngale was one of the highlights of my time in Latvia. Andrei and Irina were delighted to assist me with my homework if I asked (e.g. compiling a list of cult phrases from Soviet films) but our conversations at and away from the kitchen table ranged far and wide, from contemporary Latvian politics and social and economic issues to events in Donald Trump’s America and Vladimir Putin’s Russia, which countries produce the best beers—a tip of the hat to Latvia there—and countless other topics. Andrei proved to be a veritable fount of anecdotes and recommended podcasts and other news sources to me to keep me current on events. A sincere spasibo to him for that. On a typical day, I was usually awake at 4:30-5 a.m., made myself a coffee and did an hour of Russian homework, then breakfasted on the kasha Yevgenia Arkadievna, Irina’s mother, had prepared. Andrei and Irina cooked eggs, sausages and other fixings, and joined me at the table. At 7:56 a.m. I caught the elektrichka to Riga Central Station, had a flat white at the Caffeine coffee shop, then reported for class at 9. If I had afternoon class that day as well, I grabbed a quick lunch at Lido across the boulevard. If not, I usually did an hour-long workout at the gym to clear my head of all of those irregular verbs and participles. Most days I was on the train back to Kalngale by 6 p.m. for dinner with the Krivanes. Then a little reading and other study, and lights out around 9 p.m.
3. Let’s talk about the school itself. What was the vibe at BORN like? Were you surrounded by fellow language adventurers, or was it more of a quiet, contemplative retreat for Russian grammar enthusiasts?
BORN clearly draws various types of students. During my month there I met three young U.S. Army sergeants, a schoolteacher from Paris, an incoming language student at Oxford University from Sweden, another Swede learning Russian to meet Russian women, a Danish geologist, a Czech banker, a Swiss woman keen on improving her Russian, and others. Since I had come to study on my own and was living outside the city with a Latvian family, I didn’t have much contact with other learners, save at break time and on cultural outings. I would have enjoyed more contact but that might not have been practical, given conflicting class schedules, fluency levels in Russian and personal preferences. Maybe a gather-round-the-samovar session on Monday afternoon would be a good icebreaker for BORN students to have a chance to get to know each other better?
4. As a journalist, you’re used to being in control of the narrative. How did it feel to hand over the reins and be the student again—especially in a language known for its complexity?
My conception of my role as student is this: I see the teacher-student relationship as a partnership, where the student must do his share to make things work. As I once told Lena, it’s not like going to McDonald’s…. First, I think it’s vital for a student to honestly admit his/her shortcomings and gaps in knowledge. I felt my grammar was relatively poor (e.g. participles, families of related verbs) and my leksika outdated, and said so. But I recognized my teachers as professionals with different pedagogical styles, some more directive, others less so, and was happy to try to conform to their method. After all, flexibility and the ability to cope with any situation are necessary if you want to master a language. At any rate, I tried to arrive at BORN every day with questions to be answered or a topic to discuss. The latter could range from what I’d seen during my trip to the Rundale Palace to how to do one’s laundry in Russian or describing a typical day for me in Riga using all verbs in future tense. Our classes usually were roughly divided in half: 50% free-ranging conversation, 50% grammar and use of a textbook to help me plug the holes in my knowledge. Also, we occasionally used a video or another type of teaching aid.
5. Your stay with a Russian host family must have added a whole other layer to the experience. What was that like on a human level? Did you find comfort in cultural rituals, meals, or everyday conversations?
A totally positive experience from the start. Within 90 minutes of landing at Riga International I was a guest at my host families Sunday family dinner and having the proper use of a kazan to cook traditional Kazakh culinary specialties explained to me. You can’t get that kind of information in Toulouse, so Andrei and his other guests had my instant attention! During my month under their roof, Andrei and Irina went out of their way to make me feel like a member of the family, and I hope I reciprocated by being a trouble-free guest. I am grateful to them for taking the time and trouble to introduce me to many of the Riga area’s attractions, from a concert of patriotic music at Mezaparks (the combined choirs’ performance of “Manai Dziemtenei” was very moving) to the Salaspils camp memorial and National Botanic Garden. Some of our cultural exchanges were memorable—at a bar in old Riga I introduced Andrei to my favorite Belgian beer, and he in turn ordered a delicious Latvian specialty I’d never tasted before, kiploku grauzdini.
6. Riga has a very distinct personality—Old World elegance with a Baltic twist. How did the city itself influence your learning experience? Did it offer inspiration, distraction, or both?
For me, Riga was a major selling point for your program. I’d also considered Daugavpils but decided against it—and am I glad. In Riga there are enough Russian speakers for a visitor to use the language in the streets and stores every day, as well as valuable cultural resources like the Chekhov Theatre, Polaris bookshops etc. Plus it’s a European capital with a hip vibe and lots going on, from shopping to nightlife. For 80 euros, I joined one of Riga’s impressively equipped sports centers (My Fitness Galleria) for a month. BORN organized excursions to visit some local sites, including Old Riga, the Castle of Light National Library, the Jugendstil district and the National Front Museum. I happily would have taken part in many more such trips. On my own I visited the Occupation Museum and with the Krivanes, the Riga Castle presidential residence, the Riga Cathedral and the Riga City and Navigation Museum. As a former resident of the USSR, I was also delighted to find restaurants that allowed me to partake of cuisines from other former union republics like Georgia, Armenia and Uzbekistan. Let me also add a word here about the countryside around Riga, which provided a nice break from the city. On my way to and from the train at Kalngale, I walked through the forest and heard woodpeckers tapping in the pine trees. On weekends, I spent hours strolling the nearly deserted beach and listening to the lapping of the waves. It was calm and beautiful.
7. What struck you as unique or refreshing about BORN’s teaching philosophy or structure? How did it differ from other language programs you’ve encountered, if at all?
For comparison’s sake, over the years I’ve been a student at Lvov (now Lviv) State University, Moscow State University’s Preparatory Faculty and the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, but those were all group classes. They occurred in a structured classroom environment with what I’d call a traditional magisterial teaching style (i.e. professors talk and students listen, mostly). BORN was my first attempt at several weeks of intensive one-on-one classes. The pluses: my teachers (and a special thank you is due here to Viktoria I.) sincerely wanted to know what my personal goals were and how they could help me achieve them. So, she and her colleagues were able to devote individual attention to my specific wants as well as individual needs. But there’s maybe a drawback to the one-on-one approach. I’ve greatly enjoyed being in group classes with students from other linguistic backgrounds who had different professional or personal interests and—ideally— better Russian than me. They also have been my teachers.
8. Latvia’s linguistic and cultural crossroads present a fascinating context. Did being in Riga, specifically, add any unexpected layers of meaning or understanding to the Russian you were learning?
This was not my first visit to Riga, but as I hope I’ve made clear, I had the opportunity this time to get much better acquainted with the city and with Latvia overall. In the current geopolitical climate this small Baltic nation finds itself on the front line of increasingly dangerous frictions between the former Soviet empire and the Western/Atlantic world. For a journalist like myself, being in Riga was a sobering reminder of how important it is these days to understand Russian…and the Russians.
11. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to yourself on day one? (Bonus points if it’s something practical, like “Never try to outdrink a host dad.”)
For courtesy’s sake I should have committed several polite Latvian language phrases to memory before arriving. I was slow in acquiring them. I also should have brought a pair of slippers to use in my host family’s home. But I did know better than to try to outdrink a host dad.
9. Finally, who would you say BORN is best suited for? Would you recommend this experience to other adult learners and professionals? What kind of mindset helps someone make the most of it?
I’d recommend BORN without reservation for anyone seriously looking to improve or update their knowledge of the Russian language. As far as advice goes, I’d say: 1.) Set clear goals for yourself beforehand 2.) Once in Riga, be flexible and consider the recommendations of your teachers 3.) Use Riga as an open-air language lab to speak Russian in as many places and situations as possible 4.) For the same reason, live with a Russian-speaking host family 5.) Ask for and do homework since it fixes in the mind what you’ve learned in class 6.) Get regular physical exercise to dispel brain fog and mental fatigue 7.) Use weekends and holidays to get out and see the country.
Thank you, John, for your wonderful words and for sharing your experience and perspective on your journey with the Russian language here in Riga.
Your thoughtful reflections, humor, and openness truly captured the spirit of what we strive for at BORN.
We’re so glad to have been a part of your language adventure—and we all hope to welcome you back again someday! 😊
