he Department of Slavic & East European Languages & Cultures congratulates the winners of the recent competitions for the Tibor P. Gregor & Arthur J. Langley Scholarship for Czech and Slovak Studies, the Kenneth Lantz Scholarship for Excellence, the Orwin Family Fellowship for the Advanced Study of Russian Language and Culture, and the Nancy Park Scholarship for the Study of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures. Among many highly competitive and impressive applications, the winners demonstrated strong commitment to academic excellence. Please join us in celebrating their achievements!
Recipients
Tibor P. Gregor & Arthur J. Langley Scholarship for Czech and Slovak Studies
Finn Mikes
Kenneth Lantz Scholarship for Excellence
Ilya Pugachev
Orwin Family Fellowship for the Advanced Study of Russian Language and Culture
Anastasia Miller
Nancy Park Scholarship for the Study of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
Yutong (Aurelia) Tian
Eliana SanFilippo
Alexandra Medwidsky
Yoorim Lee
Zoyeb Bin Ehsan
In their own words, hear from some of the winners about their interests and experiences in Slavic & East European Languages and Cultures:
Finn Mikes
Recipient of the Tibor P. Gregor & Arthur J. Langley Scholarship for Czech and Slovak Studies
"The short version of what interests me about Slavic studies would be one word—everything. The long version would potentially fill up an entire book. I’ll aim for something in between those two extremes. To start with, my interest certainly stems in a large part due to being Slavic on both my dad’s side (Czech) and on my mom’s side (Ukrainian). As such, when I saw there was a Czech language program at UofT I simply had to enroll. I had not known a word of Czech despite being only two generations removed from the country and I really wanted to change that. I think I can say confidently that this is no longer the case! I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to take a course on Czechslovak film which has allowed me to have a deeper cultural understanding as well as another course on the perception of “the jews” within European imagination (which was especially interesting from the standpoint of being an assimilated Moravian Jew separated from Jewish culture myself). I like studying Slavic studies and in particularly Czech related topics not only because of my personal connection but also due to a long standing interest in the history of the region. I’m particular interested in the history of the former Ottoman, Hapsburg, and Russian lands. I feel that knowledge of Eastern European and Balkan history is integral to understanding many of the modern conflicts facing our world. I hope to learn other Slavic languages after I have some competence with Czech (particular ones on my mind are Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and Russian) as well as non-Slavic ones such as Yiddish and Turkish."
Ilya Pugachev
Recipient of the Kenneth Lantz Scholarship for Excellence in Russian Language and Culture
"I developed an interest in studying Russian language and literature after taking the Nabokov course offered by the department. I was very drawn to Nabokov’s experience as an émigré and found myself not only enjoying Nabokov on analytical level, but on a personal one as well. This became my guiding thought in studying Russian at the University of Toronto, combining both my personal upbringing in a Russian-Jewish household with the analytic joy I received from my classes. I have taken many courses in the Slavic department since that first one and have found my interests in Russian folklore and philosophy, Russian Modernism, and intertextual analysis between Russian and Yiddish literature. I hope to use the knowledge and skills I gained at a graduate level, and perhaps eventually in doctoral capacity."
Yutong (Aurelia) Tian
Recipient of the Nancy Park Scholarship for the Study of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
"The question that everyone always asks me is “Why are you learning Polish?” The curiosity is perfectly understandable, since being a native Mandarin speaker raised in China does not give me any familial or cultural connection with Poland. My fascination was primarily ignited by my love for Polish literature and history, and I decided to learn the language and culture to better understand and engage with my favorite works, and maybe even to read the original text without translation. Though Polish is known for being a dauntingly hard language, but its complexity is also where its beauty and elegance lie. Without any previous knowledge of Slavic languages, the learning process is challenging for me and requires a lot of effort, but thanks to all the support I received from my professors and peers, it has been such an enjoyable and fulfilling journey. Learning the Polish language and culture has led me to explore a once distant and mysterious world of vibrant culture and resilient communities. I deeply appreciate this academic experience and am planning to pursue my interest further. As a third-year student at the university, I wish to continue my studies in the direction of comparative literature and translation with a potential focus on both Chinese and Polish literature. Though it would require a lot more work to reach a higher proficiency in this language, I still sincerely hope to be able to contribute to the cultural and intellectual exchanges and to share my passion with many others in the future."
Alexandra Medwisky
Recipient of the Nancy Park Scholarship for the Study of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
"My interest in Ukrainian language and culture comes from my Ukrainian background. Through attending a Ukrainian elementary school in Toronto, I was able to develop my skills in the language and learn about the culture and history of my fatherland. When I started my studies at the University of Toronto, I decided to strengthen my understanding of everything I had learned. The Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures has allowed me to pursue my passion for Ukrainian studies and expand on my knowledge of language and history. I especially enjoy learning about the rich folklore and literature that Ukraine has to offer. As I progress in my career, I hope my Ukrainian language skills will expand my opportunities and allow me to communicate with the growing Ukrainian community in Toronto. I aim to continue studying Ukrainian because as my grandmother always says, “Use it, or lose it!”"
Yoorim Lee
Recipient of the Nancy Park Scholarship for the Study of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
"Hello, my name is Yoorim Lee. I am currently double majoring in Cell & Molecular Systems Biology and Human Biology, with a minor in Finnish Studies. Growing up, I never expected my education journey to take this path. I began my undergraduate studies fully focused on life science, but soon found myself questioning the distinction between what I enjoy, what I excel at, and what provides a sense of security while learning.
To challenge myself, I explored beyond my usual scope and sought out a course or department that felt completely unfamiliar – one in which I had no prior knowledge or experience. This led me to Finnish Studies, a field I have never encountered before, as I had never visited Slavic or East European countries. Coincidentally, this was how I first stepped into Finnish Studies and met new friends, the enthusiastic and caring Professor Anu Muhonen, and the incredibly welcoming Finnish community in Toronto. Through their support and positive influence, I discovered a new interest and place where I feel secure.
Being part of the Finnish, Slavic, and East European community at the University of Toronto has been a valuable experience that helped me refine my interest and learn more about myself. It has inspired me to pursue opportunities where I can combine these fields – life sciences and Finnish Studies – in a meaningful way.
To other students considering exploring new disciplines or immersing themselves in a different culture, I want to share this message: there is no single, definitive pathway in an academic journey.
Lastly, I sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed to making this scholarship possible. This support will enable me to continue my journey of bridging two distinct fields and to pursue future opportunities that unite them!"
Zoyeb Ehsan
Recipient of the Nancy Park Scholarship for the Study of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
"I am currently enrolled in a Russian minor and this has been such a fun complement to my studies, with my major being in Neuroscience. I have been studying the Russian language all throughout undergrad, including the 4th year course I am currently in, and I have also completed a couple of culture courses such as SLA201. I love my Russian minor because the classes have genuinely been interesting and engaging, especially the language classes, in a way that my usual STEM classes aren't always (with their huge class sizes). I also appreciate the community present in the Slavic department and it has been fun getting involved in initiatives such as Russian Tea or the new Russian Translation group we have. My dream is to attend medical school and I would love to utilize my Russian speaking skills and cultural knowledge to connect more closely with diverse patients and provide the best level of care I can."