Student Spotlight: Sophia Gallegos, USA

Hi Sophia! Where are you originally from, and what brought you to Russia in the first place?

Hello! I’m from the USA, more specifically, California. My parents decided that they wanted to move here, at first just for a few years to try it out, and after they liked it, they decided to stay. I moved with them and later chose to go to university here!

So you completed high school in Russia! What was that transition like, coming from another country and joining a Russian school as a teenager?

Oh boy! Not surprisingly, the transition was pretty rough, and it took me a long time to adapt. Thankfully, my school was very accommodating and provided me a lot of support while I adjusted.

What surprised you the most when you first arrived in Russia, not just culturally, but socially or academically?

A very minor culture shock I had was that, for example, in grocery stores or bakeries, there is no expectation for cashiers to be friendly and make small talk. The amount of public transport also really surprised me – it’s pretty convenient! However, the lemonade they sell here is not lemonade — it’s soda and lies (Russians refer to the entire class of carbonated soft drinks as lemonade – Ed.).

What’s one thing people often misunderstand about international students who’ve been here longer?

Russians here always ask me the same question: why would my family move to Russia of all places? Every country has its own charm, its positives and negatives. Russia is no different, and there are opportunities here as well.

Since you've been living in Russia for several years now, do you feel more like an international student or more like a local? Or something in between?

Haha, that’s a bit of a complicated question. I would say something in between for sure. Even academically, it still takes far more brain power and effort to read and write in Russian compared to English.

Was there a specific moment when you realized you’d “cracked” the language?

While I am fluent in Russian, I still occasionally make mistakes or stumble over my words, especially when I’m talking quickly. I realized I’d “cracked” the language when I could hold full conversations with people without them realizing I was a foreigner. In fact, now people are surprised when I tell them I’m not from Russia.

What helped you most in learning Russian to the level you’re at now? Do you have any tips for fellow students struggling with it?

What helped the most was, of course, living in a Russian environment. Being surrounded by the language and having to communicate constantly really helped me learn. I doubt this is new information, but I would recommend fellow students to try and surround themselves with Russians as much as they can, to get out of their comfort zone a bit.

How do you personally navigate between your original cultural identity and your Russian experience? 

I’m confident that I understand Russian culture fairly well now. Moving to Russia has certainly changed me, but it’s hard to say what my original cultural identity and personality are. Of course, I still try and celebrate American holidays as best as I can!

Have there been moments where your dual perspective has helped you uniquely connect with others?

Mostly, it’s helped me connect with other foreign exchange students, although I’m unsure if in a unique way.

What are you currently studying at ITMO, and what drew you to this field?

I am currently in my 3rd year Bachelor’s, studying biotechnology. I love learning biology, and biotechnology seems like an interesting and growing field that holds lots of potential for the future.

Having already adapted to the Russian education system, has ITMO felt like a continuation or a whole new experience?

It has for sure felt like a whole new experience. There is much more freedom, a lot more people, and most of the classes cover topics I’m interested in. Education-wise, while there are similarities, I feel like overall the experience is pretty different.

You also write blogs for ITMO.NEWS. What do you enjoy the most about writing?

I enjoy doing interviews, too! It’s interesting to learn more about different people, and I have the freedom to ask any questions I like, even though I’ve never gone off topic before. Perhaps in the future I will try to see what I can get away with. I also write about what may be the lesser-known aspects of St. Petersburg that people new to the city might want to learn about. Of course, I have to tailor my blogs to be relevant to St. Petersburg or ITMO.

What does a typical day look like for you now? 

I’m fairly busy, with two majors and all, but less than you would expect. This year, I’ve been balancing studies much better. Organizing my time and procrastinating less has helped me keep on top of things. As for personal life, I’ve recently started a collection of legally obtained chemical compounds (mostly salts) that come in pretty colors! I’ve also been thinking about finding a club to join. 

Is there something about Russian culture that has become surprisingly close to your heart?

I really enjoy Russian tea time. Ever since moving to Russia, I find myself drinking tea way more often. It’s nice to sit with friends or even strangers and have a discussion over a cup of tea and some snacks.

Do you have a favorite spot in St. Petersburg that feels like “your place”?

My absolute favorite spot is Karpovka Embankment, across the canal from the botanical garden. There’s a small park there with large wooden swings. It can get very crowded during the summer – sometimes people play music there, and during the hot evenings, I walk by and see people dancing. But when it’s less crowded, I love sitting on the swings and enjoying the nature and peace around me.

What do you think international students might not expect when they move to Russia, but should know?

They should know that if they’re having problems with university, many times it’s much faster and more productive to discuss the problem face-to-face (with the teacher, for example), instead of getting overwhelmed with deadlines and emails.

What advice would you give to students who may not follow the “typical” international student path?

I would say: even if it’s difficult, focus on your goals and work towards them one step at a time. You got this!