Kate, Level 8-9, Russian, University of Michigan, SWSEEL 2009
SWSEEL is so popular and well-respected among area scholars, it is almost a rite of passage for anyone doing research or policy work in the region. But what a fun rite of passage! SWSEEL somehow manages to be both rigorous and laidback. I took an advanced Russian class in order to refresh and improve my language skills right before embarking on long-term dissertation fieldwork, and while in the field, I often found myself silently thanking my SWSEEL instructors for pointing out nuances of the language. The small class size fostered individual attention, and the unusual 9-level system ensured that the instructors could focus very specifically on the problems we were having. I left the class confident that I could participate in Russian-language academia -- and even win an argument with a train attendant.
Shay, Level 7, Russian, Jewish Theological Seminary, SWSEEL 2009
As a PhD student looking to build my knowledge of Russian for use in my research, I was recommended to take the SWSEEL advanced Russian language course as it is well tailored to the needs and schedule of graduate students. However, when I realized that classes would run mainly in the mornings and early afternoons and that the program only lasts two months, I was skeptical. This didn’t seem to be long enough for the serious study of Russian at a graduate level. I found it hard to believe that the program could bring me to the level of Russian needed for my research. Once I graduated from the program, after two intensive months of study that included heavy emphasis on grammar and vocabulary on both reading and communicating skills and many extra-curricular activities, I realized how wrong I had been. I’m more confident in my Russian skills than ever and I find writing, reading, conversing and even watching movies in Russian easy and enjoyable. It is the combination of great native Russian teachers, a program perfectly designed for graduate students, and helpful directors that made the summer that my family and I spent in Bloomington one of the most meaningful and productive in my academic career.
Cory, Level 6 Russian, St. Petersburg State University, SWSEEL 2009
What struck me most about the Summer Workshop at Indiana University was how successfully it cultivated a sense of community at what I'd describe as three discernible levels: the classroom, where I spent every morning with a coherent and dedicated group of Russian students and a talented line-up of instructors; the workshop’s extracurricular components, where a lively and friendly community of Slavophiles gathered to watch films, share meals, listen to lectures, even sing and dance; and finally, the greater Bloomington area, where I could spend an afternoon at a café with my listening comprehension instructor, applying the skills we’d been fine-tuning in the classroom to a real-life setting. As a side-note, the Monroe County Public Library is really, really wonderful.
Peggy, Level 1 Romanian, Cornell University, SWSEEL 2009
My experience at SWSEEL is making it possible for me to do the PhD dissertation research I want to do, by studying Romanian. The quick pace and intensity of the course are ideal for a linguist like me, or for someone who's already studied a foreign language.
Galina, Level 2 Azerbaijaini, non-student IU, SWSEEL 2009
I find learning Azeri from Vefa Junusova and Shahyar Daneshgar, our teachers, who grew up speaking Azerbayjani a very valuable experience. Being able to be focus on one subject in a concentrated summer course has the advantage of undistracted singlemindedness. Our classes are small and the atmosphere is great, we laugh as we learn. Not only the language but also a folk wisdom is being passed onto us, together with the richness of Azeri music and culture. The language table adds another almost immersion opportunity which is the next best to actually living and learning in the country. ..We are also looking forward to watching some movies together in our free time and helping to host the'" Silk Road" concert on the 8th of August Insallah.
Sarah, Level 2 Azerbaijani, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2009
Over two summers I have gained a very favorable impression of the entire pedagogical experience at SWSEEL. Azerbaijani instruction is often difficult to find in the US, and the course allowed me to continue fast-paced Azerbaijani acquisition even when I wasn't in the country. For highly motivated students devoted to their target language, SWSEEL provides all the opportunities and tools critical for rapid improvement in speaking, comprehension, reading and writing. The more the student invests in SWSEEL, the greater the rewards!
Carla, Level 1 Macedonian, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2009
SWSEEL's Macedonian course provided me with instruction in a language that would have otherwise been very difficult to come by in an American institution. Beyond creating a productive, adaptable, and enjoyable learning environment, this year's instructor, Ognen Vangelov, has constantly supplemented our class with cultural, linguistic, and political anecdotes and information. Classes are intense, but they are personalized and interesting. A relaxed open-door policy is also useful for those looking to maintain existing knowledge in another SWSEEL language outside of class. I am already confident in my ability to communicate in-country, and look forward to the final results!
Coady, Russian, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2009
When I entered the SWEESL program, I had not used the Russian language in over a year. I found the program to be immensely helpful in both regaining the language abilities I had lost, and improving my comprehension. The three hours of grammar classes each day were particularly very helpful because they were taught entirely in Russian and addressed the specific needs of the individual students. My professor was certainly one of the best Russian professors I have ever had. She is a native of Moscow, comes only for the summer to teach in the SWEESL program, and has a tremendous gift for teaching. The program provides the students with many other opportunities to practice Russian language, such as lectures, films, and a daily language table. The SWEESL program is excellent, and my language abilities have improved dramatically because of it.
Lauren, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Level 1, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2008
SWSEEL provided me with a great jumpstart for my language studies in graduate school. After taking Introductory Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian at SWSEEL, I entered second year BCS in the fall full of confidence and enthusiasm. Lidija Cvikić was a fabulous teacher and I would recommend her course to anyone.
James, Russian, Level 7, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, SWSEEL 2008
The success of any program designed to promote foreign language acquisition and expansion is validated by actual improvement on the part of the participants. In this and other regards, SWSEEL fulfilled its purpose. The program was a tremendous asset in elevating my language skills. Moreover, it simultaneously provided me with an accurate assessment of problem areas requiring more disciplined attention. Perhaps the greatest compliment I can provide is that I will be returning for SWSEEL 2009.
Caress, Russian, Level 5, Miami University (Ohio), SWSEEL 2007
My SWSEEL experience helped me to truly digest language in a way that typical classroom learning had not. The relationships I made during the SWSEEL program continue to be valuable both personally and professionally, providing unique interdisciplinary insight to my studies.
Dan, Russian, Level 7 and 8, University of North Carolina, SWSEEL 2007 and 2008
The SWSEEL program is excellent in many ways. The teachers are all top-notch. My teachers were all native Russian speakers who had extensive pedagogical experience. They were demanding but they made the classes enjoyable, which is important in the home-stretch of the eight-week course. The teachers also lived in the dorms so I had tremendous access to them and could easily get help outside of the classroom. The program is well-designed in that, along with grammar, there are conversation, phonetics, and listening comprehension components. Also, the 9 levels are designed in such a way as to minimize significant differences in students’ abilities in a given class. Moreover, I really enjoyed being with so many other students (both at the graduate and undergraduate level) who shared a similar enthusiasm for Russian culture and history. I made many friendships that have continued beyond the Peasant Disco and the final.
Tim, Turkmen, Levels 1 and 2, Ohio State University, SWSEEL 2007 and 2008
SWSEEL has been a great joy for me every time I have participated. The Turkmen program is really top-notch, which is fortunate since it is the only one in the entire country. I made noticeable progress in the language both summers and was extremely fond of the teachers for both levels. SWSEEL likewise has a good mix of extracurricular activities like picnics, lectures and intramural sports that not only make the program unique, but highly enjoyable as well. I also love SWSEEL’s atmosphere of internationalism. It is like a summer camp at the U.N.
Ksenia, Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian, Level 1, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2008
My experience was positively remarkable. Lidija Cvikić, our instructor, is amazing: she enjoys teaching and knows how to do it well. Virtually all the class materials were of her authorship, and I still treasure her numerous cogent grammar handouts.
A rigorous language program supplemented by the official extracurricular activities and lectures offered by SWSEEL and the ‘unofficial’ ones (in which the ‘South Slavs’, as we liked to call ourselves, on occasion indulged) produced outstanding results. I feel I have acquired a firm foundation for further studies and would without reservation recommend this program to anyone seriously interested in the language.
David, Macedonian, Level 1, Yale University, SWSEEL 2007
Studying the Macedonian language at SWSEEL was a fantastic decision. Our teacher was excellent and her classes were always well-organized and never dull. Moreover, SWSEEL creates a very encouraging, positive environment for learning. I learned just as much from my fellow students as from my teachers and still keep in touch with many of them. The many lectures and events also gave us the opportunity to learn not just about Macedonia, but about the Balkans and Eastern Europe as a whole. Overall a highly productive and thoroughly enjoyable summer.
Perry, Russian, Level 6, and Georgian, Level 1, University of Michigan, SWSEEL 2005 and 2008
I've had the opportunity to participate in SWSEEL for Russian in2005 as well as Georgian in 2008. Both experiences were excellent. I highly recommend the program to anyone serious about improving his or her language skills. The instructors foster a relaxed but intense atmosphere ideal for language learning.
Lisa, Estonian, Level 1, Notre Dame, SWSEEL 2006
I feel very lucky to have participated in SWSEEL, which has been an invaluable preparation for my year abroad in Estonia. SWSEEL/BALSSI provided a rare opportunity to study a language not often taught in American universities, in an environment of immersion that balanced intensive coursework with fun cultural events. I met wonderful people from a variety of language programs and fields of study. I would recommend SWSEEL to anyone interested in a serious and rewarding language program, set at a beautiful campus and led by fantastic administrators and instructors.
Chanele, Romanian, Level 1, University of Texas, Austin, SWSEEL 2006
SWSEEL offers a unique opportunity to study languages that are difficult to find in other American programs. While there are international options to study these languages, SWSEEL is an affordable way. In fact, almost everyone there was on a grant either from their school or from IU. The funding possibilities make SWSEEL something that almost anyone can do, unlike some pricier and harder to finance programs. Also, you get a more comprehensive experience. You aren't merely there to chat with other students studying Russian. Instead, you're making friends with people doing a huge variety of languages. In the group I hung out with, we had Romanian, Serbo-Croatian, Russian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Latvian, Azeri and Tajik. The projects and events allow you to meet people with common interests, and I have found that a lot of people who went made long time friends.
Jessica Skopac, Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian, SWSEEL 2006
What are the benefits of SWSEEL? There aren't many other places you can study these languages and bond with like-minded students. Meeting and keeping in touch with people who go on to careers abroad is a great networking opportunity. Also, if you are planning on working or studying abroad, having a foundation in an obscure language puts you at a big advantage both in applying for jobs and grants. Once you arrive in the foreign country, it makes it a lot easier to pick up the language when you are familiar with the grammar and basic vocabulary.
Nicole, Russian, Level 7, Georgetown, SWSEEL 2006
The SWSEEL Russian program provided an excellent opportunity for improving my language skills. The faculty and staff were professional, approachable, and concerned about student progress. The 8-week course helped me improve my grasp of Russian grammar, develop my own voice in both speaking and writing, and improve my listening comprehension.
Theresa, Polish, Level 1, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2005
SWSEEL was an amazing experience. I made friends from across the country and around the world. In addition to meeting amazing people, I was immersed in a unique academic environment – intense, but laid back; rigorous, but fun. I would recommend SWSEEL to anyone.
Deon, Azeri, Level 1 and 2, SWSEEL 2005 and 2006
I enrolled in the Azeri course in 06, and ended up coming back for year two in 07. I enjoyed both the class, and SWSEEL as a whole. It was an opportunity to meet lots of people with similar interests - people who love learning languages are a bit of a minority. I currently have a technical job with the Dept. of Defense that basically involves using mathematical models to deal with logistical problems faced by the Army. I don't use Russian or Azeri in the job, but they remain strong personal interests. In short, I'm very glad I attended, and I think SWSEEL and programs like it are invaluable.
Neil, Russian, Level 9, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2004
SWSEEL was great! I learned so much from the coursework, outside events, and other students. Anna Arkad'evna was the best Russian teacher I've ever had. Anybody who wants to improve their Russian will benefit enormously from a summer at SWSEEL.
Geoffrey, Russian Level 2, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2003
I took Russian level 2 as a senior Criminal Justice undergraduate at IU. My experience with SWSEEL has been informative and intense, because not only is the class set up to learn the Russian language, but the program is organized so well that I had no choice but to learn. I am an Air Force ROTC student and I took the course in hopes that it would prepare me for learning Russian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey.
Meagan, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Level 1, SWSEEL 2005
Hungarian, Level 1, SWSEEL 2004
Because I plan to work throughout Southeastern Europe, I took Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian at SWSEEL. It was just what I needed. The daily grammar and conversation classes really prepared me to work and live in that part of the world. The extra evening lectures also helped me more fully understand and appreciate the cultures, history, and issues of that area. SWSEEL was the best thing I could have done to prepare me for my future endeavors.
Jessica, Russian Level 2, Florida State University,
SWSEEL 2003
Participating in SWSEEL was perhaps the best decision I have ever made in my academic career. The workshop greatly enhanced my Russian language skills in all components: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. I cannot imagine a better way to learn the language! I would not only recommend this program to others, but would insist that it is THE only way to truly learn the language. Daily classes coupled with cultural events give all students a truly foreign experience, incomparable to any other!
Susie, Polish, Level 1, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago. SWSEEL 2004
Professor Joanna Kurowska-Mlynarczyk is an excellent teacher in every way. Her ability to describe Polish in English terms is something I've never experienced in the four other languages I've studied. She welcomes questions from the basic and repetitive to the complicated - each is equally important. Always available, Joanna cares that we learn Polish for our research, our families, and ourselves. Because of our instruction in and out of the classroom - lunches, conversations, and emails - Joanna has made learning Polish more than just a language. Simply put, her persona and knowledge of all things Polish has made this a wonderful experience for me - one I'll never forget.
Stu, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 2, Indiana University. SWSEEL 2004
As a Ph.D. student and Associate Instructor in IU’s Slavic Studies department, I am in the unusual position of having been both a SWSEEL student and a SWSEEL instructor. I can honestly say that the program is a wonderful experience from both perspectives. As a student, I have enjoyed the luxury of concentrating on one subject and feeling my own skill develop; my SWSEEL instructors have been extraordinarily influential in my approach to language acquisition and in developing my own teaching skills. As an Instructor of Russian in SWSEEL 2002, I found it very fulfilling to devote myself to teaching intelligent, highly-motivated students in a long-established and extremely well-run summer program. It was genuinely gratifying to see the rate at which students’ language skills improve under the near-immersion conditions that SWSEEL affords them, and I have been delighted to see students from past workshops returning to the program and telling us their success stories. Also, I found that my fellow instructors were very committed to pedagogical excellence, which is reflected in the annual pedagogy workshop organized by the program.
Eric, Georgian, University of Texas at Austin, SWSEEL 2004
One of the best, out of only a handful of programs in the U.S. that teach Georgian, is at Indiana University in Bloomington. I had a wonderful time studying at IU. Dodona [Kiziria] has a way of presenting the information that is clear and to the point. Both she and her brother, Benito, are excellent and motivated teachers and if you have a chance, you should take advantage of this program.
Adalric, Azerbaijani 1 and Azerbaijani 2, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2003
I highly recommend to students interested in Azerbaijani to take at least one year of Azerbaijani through the SWSEEL program at Indiana University. I took both Azerbaijani 1 and Azerbaijani 2 and found both courses to be excellent. The language instructors are devoted and work well with students. Class size tends to be small so there is ample opportunity to work closely with instructors in a supportive and productive environment. The SWSEEL program also offers a lecture and event series that complements the language course well by bringing in, for example, lecturers who deal specifically with Azerbaijan and the Caucusus region. In short, studying Azerbaijani at Indiana University is a positive experience that can only help students with improving their language skills and understanding of Azerbaijan.
Matt, Russian, Level 3, SWSEEL 2005
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Level 2, SWSEEL 2004
I am very satisfied with my experience here in that I have been able to learn Russian so well. I am very happy with our class and the material we are covering. The students are great, as are the teachers! Even more than that, SWSEEL is just a great place to get involved in Russian and other East European languages.
Dan, Czech, Indiana University, SWSEEL 2003
The SWSEEL program was invaluable in helping me make real progress with the language. Additionally, the small class size (only 5 students in all) meant that each of us received as much individualized attention as we needed. Our teacher, a native speaker and Czech university professor who has taught the language to foreigners for years, couldn't be more qualified or more capable. As for the results...before the workshop began, I was barely able to order a beer in Czech. Now, in the last weeks of the workshop, we have progressed to the point of writing and translating basic texts with relative ease and I am excited about the prospect of continuing my studies.
Michael, Russian Level 3, Ohio University, SWSEEL 2003
The grammar classes were excellent, thanks to my wonderful teacher Galina Krivonos. All the current grammar was then targeted and developed in the conversation class with my equally wonderful conversation teacher, Masha Alley. I don't think I could have asked for a better Russian phonetician than for Mr. Larry Richter. You will have to enroll in the program in order to come to love and appreciate Mr. Richter's beloved phonetic phrase..."the incipient smile of palatalization!" I have improved by leaps and bounds...now...I, like everyone else, want to go to Russia for the full time experience!
Andria Wisler, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Teachers College, Columbia University, SWSEEL 2003
The strength of the SWSEEL program lies in the experience, excellent pedagogical skills, and motivational influence of the professors teaching the courses. Professor Rakic had a sincere interest in our learning the first year fundamentals of Serbo-Croatian. He fluidly alternated between Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian, allowing each student to specialize in one of the three. His confidence in our progress was constant and valuable during the frustrating moments that accompany the learning of any language in such a concentrated time span.
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