TASS: Finding Your Destiny in Russia: How Dreams of the Russian Language, Ballet, and Theater Came True in Buryatia

Buryatia is a unique region where European and Asian cultures intertwine. Many tourists, Russians and foreigners, having visited here, are convinced that this is a point of concentration of goodwill and spiritual comfort. The measured pace of life, Buddhist temples, the beauty of Lake Baikal, the oriental mentality of the locals attract more and more young people from neighboring Mongolia, China, and Japan to Buryatia, and for many, Russian becomes almost their native language: after studying, they stay in Ulan-Ude, work, and start families.

Russian education is a ticket to life
Erdenesaruul Bold is a bright girl with confident, clear Russian speech and a subtle accent that adds piquancy to it. The beauty is originally from the city of Darkhan.

Since the third grade, the girl studied foreign languages, studied at the Russian school "Soyuz". Her dream was to go to get a higher education in Russia after graduating. The neighboring country, she admits, is attractive, including because of the similarity of the education systems, the mentality of Russians.

At 17, Erdenesaruul went to Ulan-Ude against all odds: "I used to be too self-confident and thought that I would get to Russia without any problems - straight to Moscow, St. Petersburg, but I am the only one from the class who did not pass all the final exams that give the right to study in Russia under the quota."

Now she remembers that period of her life with a smile, but at that time it was a reason for sadness for her, which, however, did not last long, the girl continued her path to her dream: the family sent Erdenesaruul to Buryatia, where she began studying at the Institute of History and Philology of the Dorzhi Banzarov Buryat State University on a commercial basis.

"I studied to be a journalist. Then I successfully passed the exams that I failed the year before. Based on their results, you could get into any of the six proposed universities in Russia, priority - the first on the list you made, - the girl says. - For me, it was Moscow State University. At the last moment, I made an important decision - I changed it to Buryat State University."

When asked "why," Erdenesaruul answers confidently: "Because this is also an excellent university, because Ulan-Ude is a very cozy, calm city, where for me personally there is absolutely no stress."

Then came studies, fun days in the dorm, during which the student independently learned how to do a manicure. The first clients who became "guinea pigs" of uncomfortable and unattractive, as the girl admits, nails were her fellow countrywomen.

"But it was the cheapest nail art in the city!" the girl laughs loudly. Then came the pandemic, followed by a two-year departure to Mongolia, quarantine, distance learning, correspondence sessions. And then - the long-awaited return to Buryatia.

Now the 26-year-old girl is completing her master's degree at the Dorzhi Banzarov Buryat State University - she is studying at the Department of Translation and Intercultural Communication. She is a future conference interpreter, works for a Mongolian company importing goods from Russia, helps to conclude deals, accompanies fellow countrymen who come to Russia for medical examinations and treatment. Erdenesaruul is also the head of the Mongolian Students Association in Ulan-Ude and has experience in internships at events with members of the governments of Mongolia, Russia and Buryatia.

"I have already participated in several such meetings and conferences - in the field of tourism, culture, and cross-border cooperation. The most difficult internship was the one where I had to help the head of Buryatia, Aleksey Sambuevich Tsydenov, for the first time. He is very serious and strict, frowning and looking intently into the eyes while working. I was worried and did not sleep the night before that event: I had to study all the documents in order to translate correctly later, I paid attention to my hairstyle, makeup, appearance - everything had to be at a high level!" the girl emphasizes. "I was taught that I am the mouth and ears of the one who speaks and listens. No subjectivity! Extreme accuracy. A lot depends on the translator in such matters."

Erdenesaruul admits that studying is difficult. It is especially difficult with English: in order to translate phrases from it into Russian, you have to mentally perform multi-move combinations - understand English words in Mongolian, then translate them into Russian.

"Russian is much easier for me. But... Grammar... There are so many different verb forms, it is difficult to learn everything," the girl even closes her eyes for a few seconds. "This is still my weak point."