Неординарные идеи меняют мир*
For MIT graduate student, fluency in the Russian language is transformative

“The goal of MIT's Foreign Languages and Literatures program
is to help MIT students become engaged global citizens. To do this,
we emphasize language instruction focused on practical skills
as well as providing diverse courses in culture, media and history.”

— Ian Condry, Professor of Comparative Media Studies,
Head, MIT Global Studies and Languages

How important is it for MIT students to become fluent in new languages as they expand their horizons and prepare to serve the world? Amanda von Goetz's story is a good example: mastering Russian has proved to be a transformative experience in her life — not just once, but several times over.

Von Goetz, a former professional pianist who graduates from the Sloan School this May explains, “First, I most certainly would not be at MIT without the experience of learning Russian. The skills and experiences I gained learning a new, challenging language instilled in me the confidence to be curious about what else there is out in the world."

At MIT since 2012, von Goetz has thrived in classes such as New Enterprises, Linked Data Ventures, and Entrepreneurial Strategy. She also credits her language experiences for helping her develop the art of collaboration — a skill she brings to her first startup project. Along with three other MIT students, von Goetz is working on improving the way people budget and spend our most precious resource – time. Their first product, Thyme.io, is designed to streamline the ways people plan and schedule their time.

“Language is a connector,” says von Goetz. “It has broadened my understanding, has given me insight into how to talk with and collaborate with people from many different backgrounds and cultures. All these experiences have contributed to my ability to co-found the Thyme Labs startup, and I have learned so much about teamwork through that process as well.”

Noting how prevalent time scheduling issues are, von Goetz says, “Our team spans Mechanical Engineering, Machine Learning, Music, and Management fields. And, whatever our area, we have all experienced the difficulties of coordinating time schedules with many people. We are dedicated to helping solve this issue!”

Musical Interlude | Duo Piano Concert
Thursday, April 3, 12-1pm, W16-109
Natalia Lavrova and Vassily Primakov

On April 3, 2014 von Goetz is bringing two Russian pianists and a cellist, all colleagues from Juilliard, to MIT for a concert in the Kresge Auditorium. Von Goetz will also participate in the concert and play for the first time at MIT. Of the event she says, “I am especially excited to play Rachmaninoff alongside old friends, and introduce my newer friends at MIT to the rich musical culture that once inspired me to learn the Russian language. It will be the intersection of two worlds I hold very close to my heart."

Early encounters

At MIT, von Goetz has also had a chance to further develop and refine her Russian language skills, the seeds of which go back to her childhood. At age 12, having won several music competitions, she started studying piano with the internationally renowned artist, Alexandre Slobodyanik. Of Ukrainian heritage, Slobodyanik had studied music in Moscow and spoke fluent Russian. “There were always famous Russian musicians, painters, actors and writers at my teacher’s house,” von Goetz recalls. “I heard the sounds of their animated, creative conversations and wanted to understand the language.”

Her study began in earnest when, at the Juilliard School of Music in New York she found herself studying music with and befriending Russian students. “When I said to my friends that I wanted to learn Russian, they were skeptical, implying that it is too difficult for an American to learn that language!” she recalls. For von Goetz, that was a defining moment: she set the goal of becoming proficient in Russian.

“I treated the process of learning the Russian language like preparing for a music performance,” von Goetz says. “I tried to find parallels between the works of literature, art, and music and how it was tied to the way modern Russian people walk, interact, and conduct themselves.” Within a year, von Goetz reached an intermediate level of proficiency in Russian. Her Juilliard friends were delighted, and above all, the personal power von Goetz gained — the capacity to set important goals and meet them — has proved to be crucial for her ongoing education and evolving career.

The mission of languages at MIT: becoming global citizens

In the fall 2013, von Goetz joined a Russian III class — taught by lecturer Maria Khotimsky in the SHASS-based Global Studies and Languages section — to take her Russian skills to a higher level. She also wanted to learn in a formal class setting with other students who shared an interest and passion for the language.

“The goal of our program is help MIT students become engaged global citizens," explains Professor Ian Condry, head of MIT Global Studies and Languages. “To do this, we emphasize language instruction focused on practical skills, as well as providing diverse courses in culture, media and history.”

MIT students, who want to take their knowledge of a foreign language to the next level, can also travel to over 20 countries of the world from Mexico to Russia through the MISTI program (MIT Science and Technology Initiatives). All MISTI students have several years of study in the language, history, politics and culture of a country before their international internship begins.

Language as a source of innovation and problem-solving

“Everyone can benefit from learning about people and languages in an oversea experience," adds Condry, "because we can come to recognize the diversity of lifestyles, forms of social organization, and local customs. For scientists and engineers who are interested in solving the world's problems, it's vitally important that we recognize the variety of worlds out there.”

Elizabeth Wood, Professor of Russian and Soviet History agrees, and speaking about Russian specifically she notes, "“It is more important than ever that we teach the Russian language at the Institute. The U.S.-Russia relationship is vital, and we want our MIT students, faculty and staff to gain a deeper understanding of what is going on in Russia, and betweeen the U.S. and Russia — politically, culturally, and economically.”

Reflecting on the ongoing influence of Russian language in her life, Von Goetz says, "One of the big lessons I have learned through the Russian language is that every experience we have is formative to our character as a person. In learning Russian, I also learned not to be afraid to push the limits, to explore, and try something new. You never know where your curiosities might lead you."

*Неординарные идеи меняют мир
This is the Russian translation of the SHASS tagline, "Great Ideas Change the World." Knowing two, three, or more languages is one of the perennial great ideas; languages enable us to help serve the world with increased understanding, skill, and discernment.

Story prepared by MIT SHASS Communications
Editorial and Design Director: Emily Hiestand
Contributing writer: Ema Kaminskaya, MISTI/MIT-Russia; MIT Skoltech Initiative

Неординарные идеи меняют мир*For MIT graduate student, fluency in the Russian language is transformative

Неординарные идеи меняют мир*
For MIT graduate student, fluency in the Russian language is transformative