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5 Reasons to Learn Russian

The largest country in the world has much to offer.

Anna Kropov

Aug 13, 2020

Ohio University

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The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world, spanning 11 time zones, two continents and taking up almost the entire Eastern hemisphere. It is home to an incredibly rich culture and beautiful language that sits close to my heart as an ethnic Russian. So, why should you learn Russian? Here's 5 reasons, even though there are many more I could list off.

The Culture

The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia

Russian culture has so much to offer. We have world-renowned authors in literature such as Fedor Dostoevsky, Lev Tolstoy, and Alexander Pushkin whose works are a must-read. We are known for our domination in ballet, figure skating, fine arts, and winter sports world as well. Sergei Rachmaninoff and Sviatoslav Richter were deemed the greatest pianists of their times. The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow is one of the best ballet schools in the world. You can thank Russia for the Nutcracker.

Sports

Team Russia takes the gold in the figure skating team event at the Sochi 2014 Olympics

NBC Sports

In both winter and olympic sports, Russian comes in handy. We are known for dominating in the worlds of when it comes to figure skating, skiing, gymnastics, and hockey. The last two olympic figure skating champions were both from Russia. Adelina Sotnikova was the first Russian woman to win gold in 2014 and the following cycle, Alina Zagitova nearly went undefeated after winning gold in 2018. Aliya Mustafina is a two -time olympic champion in uneven bars for gymnastics and a seven-time medalist. The Russian men's ice hockey team took gold in PyeongChang 2018 as well.

Religion

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia

Russia is home to the Eastern Orthodox church, which is the oldest and first Chrsitian church before the schisms began that resulted in the various denominations we see today. It is an ancient, traditional and symbolic faith that holds some of the most majestic and famous churches in the world: St. Basil's Cathedral on the Red Square is the face of Russia. This faith is deeply tied into and cannot be separated from Russian culture. Its traditions have been passed down and its saints venerated through generations. There are golden cupolas atop cathedrals on every street corner in big cities and are even included in guided tours for tourists to visit.

It is closely tied to other Slavic languages

Map of Eastern Europe

https://history.illinois.edu/eastern-europe

As someone who's Russian, I can understand Ukrainian and Serbian very well and vice versa. Slovak, Czech, Bulgarian and Belorussian, to name a few, all have the same foundation for their language. We all either use a modified Latin or Cyrillic alphabet, which isn't difficult to pick up after some practice. While there are plenty of differences, we can usually make our way around Eastern Europe understanding the gist of each others' conversations. So, when you learn Russian, an entire door to the surrounding countries opens up as well.

Technology, Business and Poitics

The Grand Kremlin Palace is the official government residence of Russia's president Vladimir Putin

In terms of politics, Russia is essentially a world superpower by being self-sufficient in natural resources and energy; it has a developed sovereign capability in space power; it is very advanced in all areas of technology, especially in everything computer science and cyber security. We have some of the best scientists in STEM and Russia is currently leading the world with the long sought-after COVID-19 vaccine trials. With it having so many important resources to offer for trade, they help our own economy as well. America has many international relations with Russia in business and politics right now, so knowing the language is crucial.

Russia is truly an incredible country with such a unique culture that has so much to offer, the language is beautiful and the people are a super fun crowd. (Nobody can party like Rusisans do) Give it a try and you'll be surprised at how much you can learn!

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5 Reasons to Learn Russian

The largest country in the world has much to offer.

The Culture

Sports

Religion

It is closely tied to other Slavic languages

Technology, Business and Poitics

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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