litvak

Hi all, Sorry I've been off the forum for the past few days.... Congrats to all on their decisions, offers and scholarships! Russophile, It looks I too will be headed to Indiana! I haven't officially told them yet, and have yet to reject the Harvard offer, but I'm also certain that I will be doing so soon! pietjekanarie, I still haven't heard from Columbia either, but at this point, although being in NY is much preferred to Bloomington, whatever funding & job opportunities they would give out (Max. FLAS scholarship) wouldn't be able to beat out IU...

@pietjekanarie--- I was working in Belarus for a couple months in Minsk as part of a fellowship. Belarus is really one of the most fascinating places I have ever been--- and I would love to go back! Unfortunately, what you say about visas is true. I've also heard of a great deal of problems among American academics who have gone to study there, supported by the American gov't or an American foundations, who later lost there funding or were asked by either the US or Belarusian gov'ts to leave based on political troubles...

@pietjekanarie--- I graduated from McGill in 2006 actually. Yes, I agree that it's a bit of an anglo-bubble--- I hard to work hard at making French a language I used everyday, but it definitely paid off in the end. I've spent some time in Belarus and the language politics there are truly fascinating. Foreigners can take intensive Belarusian classes at Minsk State Linguistic University, but I've heard mixed reviews on how effective the classes are...

Are you located in Seattle, Russophile? If so, let me know, as that is where I am too for the time being!

@Russophile--- My undergrad was in History and Jewish Studies, but in the past several years I've been doing more and more research/ having different work experiences in the contemporary former Soviet Union which would lead me into disciplines like Anthro, Sociology, Ethnography, Linguistics etc., with which I've only had minimal contact....

@pietjekanarie--- when/where in Quebec did you live? I learned French while living in Quebec and found it really did make me fluent in French--- and I love my joual-esque accent--- and of course the Quebecois curses are useless, but actually quite delightful as swearing goes.... I'm hoping to find someway to learned a couple less commonly taught languages like Romanian, Romany (Gypsy) or maybe Belarusian, but have yet to find logistically plausible ways of doing this... Ideas? @Russophile--- have you thought about different ways you could use your Spanish in REE Studies? I'd be really interested in researching the growing current ties between former Soviet countries and places like Venezuela. Historically, too, there's probably all kinds of uncovered topics in Eastern European diaspora communities in Latin America.

I agree with what everyone has been saying about Columbia--- it looks like a great program, but funding is definitely limited. It is possible to receive a FLAS there though, which would not go too far in NYC, but it would cover 100% tuition for the first year, yes? Int'l students, unfortunately, are not eligible for FLAS grants... I forgot to mention that one important reason to do the MA before the PhD for me is to help in deciding on a concrete discipline. I've seen too many friends graduate from an interdisciplinary PhD program, only to realize they feel unqualified for all the jobs out there that require a more focused specialization. The balance of an interdisciplinary MA with a focused PhD in a particular, more traditional discipline (ie History, Anthro etc) seems to be the best of both worlds...

looks like this board has gotten a great deal more active! Russophile--- Right now, it's between Harvard and IU, but I am still waiting to hear from Columbia. Have any of you applied there? Another factor in making my decision will be where my fiancee is able to get a job (in academia), which so far looks like IU or possibly Columbia, no final word yet on Harvard/Boston-area... pietjakanarie--- While it's certainly very common for students in the States to go straight from a BA to a PhD, I do think it's becoming more common for US students to do an MA beforehand, as admissions to the top PhD programs are becoming more and more selective... continued good luck to all!

privet tovarshch russophile! thanks for the congrats and congrats to you too on the IU admission! I applied for and was offered funding through the Jewish Studies Dept.--- it's a research assistantship. who are you looking to work with at IU? and what are you looking to focus on exactly?

Yes, I'm most likely (though not 100% decided) looking into doctoral programs for after the REES MA--- I'm hoping to figure that out and if so, then in what exactly (history, anthro, etc) during the MA. My field is generally Soviet and post-Soviet Jewish history & culture etc. yours?

hello comrades! I am a very lucky Harvard REECA admit--- I'm very much in shock that I got in at all! I got an e-mail saying that this year is Harvard's application year to the gov't for university-wide FLAS funding, and that they won't know for certain whether or not they'll get all their requested FLAS money until May--- if they do get their funding, however, I will get a FLAS (which is tuition waiver and $15k stipend for first year; must compete again next year for same funding). I got a formal letter from Harvard the same day that said I'll get $18k towards tuition each year if I don't get the FLAS. I also got accepted by Indiana (w tuition waiver, plus $11k stipend for both years). Any advice on which to pick? Harvard obviously has more prestige and is a top notch, but Indiana is actually a much better fit for my particular interests... Where did everyone apply/any offers on the table? Looking forward to meeting you all at REES conferences! and good luck to everyone!