My name is Piper, and I am an aerospace engineering PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. I am also a long-time student of Russian language and culture. I aspire to combine my two passions to further peaceful international space exploration, and one day become an astronaut myself!
When I‘m not flying, building rockets, or speaking Russian, I love to crochet, ice skate, hike, and spend time outdoors with my friends and family.
The Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) is an immersive study abroad program run by American Councils. Through RLASP, students study Russian language in Russia, live with a host family, go on cultural excursions, meet with native-speaking conversation partners, and have the opportunity to volunteer or participate in internships.
This summer, through RLASP, I am taking my language studies to the next level! Since high school, I have been excited to learn about Russian language and culture. My interest is large due in part to my passion for aerospace and space exploration. Russia has a rich history of space exploration, and is currently one of the only nations with a rated space capsule that can carry astronauts to orbit. As such, all American astronauts are required to speak and understand Russian. My dream is to one day become an astronaut, so I am studying Russian to develop my fluency, and to practice fulfilling astronauts’ important role as cultural bridges. Space is truly an international venture: it is important to appreciate and understand other cultures, and support collaboration in space between nations.
This blog serves to document my experiences in Russia, and share a snippet of the country, language, and culture! If you’re interested in learning more about my travels and experiences, check out my blogs from my trips to Perm, Russia and Almaty and Astana (now Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan!
Perm, Russia GTL: http://russiagtl.weebly.com
Kazakhstan GTL: http://kazakhstangtl.weebly.com
Such an incredible trip would not be possible without the support, hard work, and dedication of many people! Thank you to the staff at American Councils for organizing such an incredible program; the folks in MIT’s Russian and Eurasian Studies Department for jump-starting my Russian language journey and nourishing my enthusiasm; the Russian department at the University of Michigan for welcoming an aero-nerd into the department and helping me continue to learn; my adviser for supporting my interests in Russian studies; my friends for tolerating my incessant Russian babbling; and my family for always encouraging me.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
RLASP in Moscow 