Sidney Primm: European Languages and Cultures MA programme has prepared me for a career

Sidney has a bachelor's degree in Linguistics from the University of Texas in Austin and is currently in his first year of the European Languages and Cultures master's programme. His speciality is Russian philology, and he is focusing his thesis on young adult LGBT literature in Russia. 

Sidney said he chose this programme because he had heard many great things about the university from former professors and colleagues. "In the world of philology, Tartu has made quite a name for itself. After researching it for myself, I was impressed that the University of Tartu is also one of the best in the Baltic region. Additionally, since I am interested in both literature and linguistics, I found the wide range of possible courses available to students from both fields to be a big plus. Despite its small size, the department has an impressive array of subjects," he added.

According to Sidney, the studying environment in Tartu is perfect for budding researchers. "There are so many places on the university campus and in the city where students can go to get work done. The calm and cosy café culture has always encouraged me to be productive, even when I lack motivation!" 

He added that the European Languages and Cultures master's programme has allowed him to further develop his independent research skills. "In every class, professors encourage students to choose research topics that interest them, and the university's resources allow students to explore a variety of topics at length," he gave some examples.

Next year, Sidney is planning to participate in the double-degree programme, which will allow him to acquire a master's degree from the Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University and the University of Tartu at the same time. He also encouraged other students who have specialised in the French or Russian language and culture to check out this unique opportunity. "I think it's incredible that the university can offer students educational opportunities from all over the world. Studying abroad is a great way to expand your horizons and gain perspectives that may not be readily available in Estonia," Sidney added.

After graduation, Sidney hopes to find a job in cultural exchange. "I'm confident I can apply the knowledge I've gained here in Tartu to a language services or cultural management position. My primary interest is facilitating communication and understanding between groups of people, and the international student body here in Tartu has 100% prepared me for a career in this field," he concluded.