Testimonial by Auriane Benabou

The summer Russian language course offered by Aspirantum is by far the best experience I’ve had with a language program! I had taken several years away from learning Russian and was nervous about jumping back into the language, but the incredible staff and teachers at  Aspirantum do a wonderful job creating a welcoming environment inside and outside the classroom. I’m especially grateful to our Russian teacher, Alyona, who was an absolutely terrific instructor both in her extensive linguistic knowledge and encouraging demeanor. The combination of her rigorous focus on grammar and her openness to discussing a range of topics that interested us personally allowed me to really improve my language skills and my confidence in speaking Russian. After this course, I feel I have much firmer ground to stand on as I continue to study the language in my academic and professional pursuits.  In addition to the language courses, one of the most unique aspects of Aspirantum are the amazing excursions organized by the team that give students an opportunity to learn more about Armenia and its rich culture and history. We traveled to breathtaking locations, shared delicious meals, and learned so much about Armenia that helped to give us a sense of place within the country that hosted so warmly during our language learning experience. Khachik and the Aspirantum team were incredibly knowledgeable and also an absolute pleasure to spend time with on these trips. In addition to the excursions, I had the opportunity to share housing with several of my classmates, which was a really special experience as we were able to do homework together and get to know each other outside of class. Together we could explore the beautiful city of Yerevan which is a truly excellent city for anyone aiming to practice their Russian. From taking a taxi to chatting with strangers at a coffee shop, I had the opportunity to practice my Russian everyday outside of the class and grow my confidence in speaking as the classes progressed.  All in all, I cannot recommend Aspirantum’s language courses highly enough to anyone interested in learning Russian or exploring Armenian culture. I look forward to the chance to return to Yerevan!