Calvin Older

Calvin Older participated in the 2024 CLS Russian Program hosted by American Councils in Tbilisi, Georgia. He is currently majoring in international relations with a minor in geographic information systems at Central Michigan University. Calvin's ultimate professional goal is to work as a Foreign Service Officer under the political career track.

Why Russian?

My interest in the Russian language began in my senior year of high school when I started reading Russian novels. Books like The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy introduced me to a much more complex culture and history of Russia, which motivated me to learn its language. However, the university I attend does not offer courses in Russian, so I had to develop an effective method of self-study. Inspired by Stephen Krashen’s theory of language learning, I began to immerse myself in Russian media such as movies, podcasts, and short stories, and practiced with language partners from countries around the Russian-speaking world. This introduced me to countries like Georgia, and as I continued to study the language, I became more acquainted with their deep history and rich culture.

A Favorite Idiom

My favorite idiom is a pretty simple phrase that my professor taught me. It's "у черта на куличках". This idiom is the equivalent as "in the middle of nowhere", which is dear to me as someone who has grown up in small rural towns in Michigan. However, that is not the only reason I like this idiom. My professor explained to me it is a tricky idiom to translate because the average native speaker doesn't really know what it literally means, due to the word "куличок". I spent a large part of the program trying to find a translation to no success.

Career Goals

The CLS Program has been highly relevant to my career goal of working in the Foreign Service, driven by my interest in how U.S. policy affects other countries and how events in those countries impact the U.S. My interest in post-Soviet countries like Georgia stems from its unique positions in relation to the U.S. and Russia. I became even more interested after speaking with a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy while in Tbilisi. Specifically, I aim to become a Foreign Service Officer under the political career track, as I believe that cooperation between nations with seemingly opposite goals is possible.

Improving my Russian language skills is crucial for this career goal. CLS has been extremely important for the development of my Russian skills because it allowed me to learn in a more structured and intensive environment with other students and prepare me for further language study in my graduate career. More importantly, I was in a country where Russian is commonly spoken; I was able to hear and use the language in everyday situations and understand the political and cultural implications it has.

CLS’s Impact

Studying in Georgia with the CLS Program has provided me with valuable experience that will directly prepare me for my future career as a Foreign Service Officer. It has offered insights into the significance of on-the-ground local issues, which are essential for understanding the complexities of the country. This experience has been crucial in helping me succeed in the Foreign Service. A social issue in the U.S. cannot be understood or judged through the same moral and political lens as one in Georgia. FSOs are expected to have a deep, personal understanding of the culture, history, and political trends of the country they are reporting on. While much of this requires long hours of studying, it also requires time spent within the country to gain a more nuanced and profound understanding.