Kline’s interest in Russian began in high school. “My favorite teacher lent me his copy of Dostoevsky’s White Nights and it changed my life. Since coming to Hamilton, I read more Russian literature and just fell in love — the language component came naturally,” said Kline, a literature and Russian studies double major.
The program originally was to be in-person in Russia but was adapted for virtual learning due to COVID-19. It will take place in June and July, and includes a commitment of 20-25 hours a week. Kline said every weekday, she will engage in synchronous intensive grammar/language classes, cultural activities, and individual conversation with a Russian language partner.
Kline credits Student Fellowships Coordinator Ginny Dosch for her help and support throughout the application process, and said Russian Professors John Bartle and Jason Cieply “nurtured my love for the language and assisted me with all of my language learning troubles. Professor Cieply, who is an alumnus of the program, encouraged me to apply and helped with the application,” Kline said.
Lucille Kline ’22
Majors: Literature, Russian Studies
Hometown: Clarkston, Mich. High School: Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School
Kline studied in the University of Michigan summer Russian Language Institute in 2020. At Hamilton, she is Russian archives assistant in Hamilton’s Special Collections, a Levitt Center research fellow, operations team leader for the Career Center, and a barista for Café Opus.
“I’ve been trying to study abroad since the fall of 2019, and although I am still not going to Russia, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to study the language and learn about Russian culture with such a great program,” Kline said.
