I’m a teacher of English, though I had never planned to be the one at first! As a student, I had to change my place of residence – and my university. When changing universities in Russia, you can’t always get into the same program you had done before. That’s why I was offered to do economics as my second higher education course and to study foreign languages, earning the qualification to be a teacher. No matter how difficult it is to imagine, sometimes you have to face such odd situations. And the quicker you get used to it, the better! That means that I accepted this variant and projected my future based on it for the coming years.

In Russia, education has 2 sectors: private and state. Both have advantages and drawbacks. In places outside of the capitals, the state school system has just begun to get sufficient monetary support. So I chose the private sector in order to worry less about my financial matters. And, of course, it also has much less red tape!

My fellow students and I in Moscow

So many things happen in the world, and some involve education in our country. We have a great opportunity to witness changes – and to influence them, making things better for pupils and students. That’s why I believe that any helpful contribution is important. The world transforms, and classical schools, libraries and universities – any institutions connected with enlightenment – alter in accord with modern methods. Changes include offering an education by means of online courses or accommodating those going in for a second or third degree while having a family. In Russia, with its rich variety of small nations and cultural diversity, this process is especially promising to look at.

I’m fond of working as a teacher now, but, psychologically, I’m the one who will not be the same over the decades. So I may find another sphere of life to work in – without giving up teaching as long as it interests me and getting useful experience for the future.