Over the course of the entire past academic year, an American teacher gave lessons to the students of Yelabuga Institute of Kazan Federal University. Hope MacKenzie Johnson came to Yelabuga through the Fulbright Program, which sends American teachers and scholars to various countries with the goal of promoting mutual understanding. The young teacher recently returned to her homeland, but Hope already misses the university, students and teachers who have become so dear to her over the past year. We decided to talk with her with the help of the Internet and to ask her a few questions.

- Say a few words about yourself.

- I was born and raised in the state of Maine. I am 23 years old. My father works as a pastor, and my mother recently retired from her job as a nurse. I have one younger brother whose name is Blake. He is 20 years old. In my free time I love to write, read, and study foreign languages. I also love to play sports, especially basketball. I've been interested in the Russian language since I was 12. A Russian girl who was studying at the local university lived with my family, and I visited her hometown of Bryansk in the summers of 2003 and 2004. It was in these childhood trips to Russia that I fell in love with the Russian culture, language, and most importantly, with the Russian people, and I have been studying Russian ever since.

- How did you end up in Yelabuga?

- I received a grant through the Fulbright Program to teach English in a Russian university. To be honest, before I found out that Fulbright was sending me to Yelabuga, I had never heard of your town. After living here for nine months, I can say that I am very glad that I ended up in Yelabuga, which has become very dear to me!

- What can you say about the students of our university?

- The students of Yelabuga Institute of KFU are amazing! I worked with 4th and 5th year students at the Faculty of Foreign Languages and with 4th year students of the faculty of Tatar Philology. My students were very hardworking, intelligent, kind, and had a great sense of humor!

- Did you like our town and institute?

- Oh, yes! Yelabuga has a fascinating history and culture. It was so pleasant to see the beautiful churches, mosques and other landmarks as I strolled around the city or walked to the university. I was especially struck by the beautiful building that houses Yelabuga Institute of KFU, as well as the mysterious Devil's Tower.

- What are some new and useful things you've learned in Yelabuga?

- This was my sixth time in Russia, but the first time living in Tatarstan. It was very interesting to learn about the traditions of the Tatar people. By the way, I've also picked up a few phrases in Tatar over the past nine months, such as “minem isemem Hope,” and “min universitetta eshlim.”

- We know that you learned Russian from teachers at our university. What impression did they leave on you?

- I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be taught Russian by the excellent teachers of Yelabuga institute of KFU. They helped me not only to improve my oral fluency, but also to deepen my understanding of the theoretical sides of Russian morphology and syntax.

- Living in Russia, specifically in Tatarstan you have probably become familiar with our national dishes, traditions, and way of life. What was most memorable for you, and do you plan to treat your relatives to Tatar and Russian dishes?

- I absolutely fell in love with Tatar food, and I will definitely treat my relatives to some national delicacies. I already gave my brother a box of chak-chak.

- Would you like to return to Yelabuga?

- Yes, I really want to return to Yelabuga! I've got great friends there and keep on talking to them in social networks. 

- What would you like to wish students and professors of KFU?

- I wish everybody happiness, success in reaching their goals. But above all I wish everybody to find out the truth and love in their lives.