My self is defined by the experiences I have had in my life. I was incredibly fortunate to be born in a country, which was challenging enough due to the notorious political system and Soviet legacy. Nevertheless, providing me with an environment of reflexive, pensive people with true Eastern European mentality and unique traditions. Belarus is my cradle of thought and learning.
I went to United World College of the Adriatic in Italy when I was 17. Education for me became “a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future” (UWC Mission Statement). It made the classroom experience incredible: discussing historiography of the Cold War with students from all over the world or evaluating the impacts of the Four Modernizations with my Chinese roommate and relating it to current affairs was remarkable. The people I have met in UWC were true idealists, ready for self-sacrifice and confrontation with themselves, authorities and conventions, full of teenage romanticism. The people I have a strong admiration for are UWCers, who are inspiring me.
I do not want my experience at Lewis & Clark to be similar or alike. I want it to be different, unique: American-ly international, philosophically western, aesthetically non-European, psychologically strange, morally surprising. There is no doubt that it will not be like any other experience I have had in my life and this is truly wonderful. I want to explore my academic interests more deeply, dedicate more time to the disciplines I indefatigably inquire about: philosophy, religion, psychology and politics. I want to sense a new culture, immerse myself in the society I was forced to form an opinion about from early childhood, discover and get lost in the city of Portland.
I will not be able to accomplish personal development at Lewis & Clark, since it is a life-long project. Nevertheless, I hope to advance intellectual, physical and spiritual growth at the college.
I am excited to get started with a new experience in my life, enjoy it and see how it will contribute to the definition of my self over the course of four years.