News
LOOK OVER THE shoulder of architecture major Max Kalachik as he opens his computer and you will see a desktop picture that inspires him: an out-of-this-world barn in his native Ukraine. The fantastic structure floats at least eight-feet off the ground on just one support.
The realization that great architecture happens everywhere—even in rural Ukraine—opened Kalachik's eyes to the fact that he could practice his profession anywhere, if he could speak the language. That is why the 20-year-old signed up this fall for a new Russian Language Flagship program at Portland State. Kalachik, who moved to Portland nine years ago with his family, speaks Russian, along with Ukrainian and English, but he admits he could use improvement.
Kalachik will receive a $1,000 scholarship, the chance to gain advanced proficiency in Russian, and the possibility of spending a year of study in St. Petersburg, Russia, through the flagship program, which graduates students with a certificate attached to any major.
The new program is the second Russian Language Flagship in the nation and is funded by a $1 million grant from the National Security Education Program, a federal initiative aimed at producing more U.S. citizens with international skills. The program's only prerequisite is the ability to speak, read, and write Russian well enough to participate in discussion sections.
Kalachik's brother, Vadim, is also out to show he has what it takes. Vadim, a freshman in biochemistry, was also accepted into the program.
[The otherworldly barn in Ukraine that inspired architecture student Max Kalachik to enroll in the new Russian Language Flagship program and improve his Russian—enabling him to practice his profession closer to his native Ukraine.]