Pekka came to us from Finland in 2013 for the first time. His Russian then was at an elementary/basic level. We were expecting him to start from where he was when he came to us again this May. But no! Pekka’s progress since the last time we met him was unbelievable!
He learned Russian himself during the past few years. He loves to read, so he read a lot of articles and stories in Russian. Pekka’s level increased to B1+/B2, and that’s amazing for a person, who didn’t attend any special courses.

On Tuesday, May 30, he presented his final project. It was a kind of quiz about interesting places in Karelia he visited and wanted to ask the others whether they know them or not. For example, he showed a doll of “Баба-яга” (Baba Yaga), an ancient Russian spirit, fairy-tale hero, located the Private Art Gallery of Petrozavodsk. Also, he showed pictures of the ancient Karelian village Kinerma and the House of Karelian language in Vedlozero. BUT! At the end of his quiz it was a picture of a flat of “famous Finnish person who lived in Petrozavodsk”. Our students didn’t recognize it and then Pekka answered: “It is the flat where I lived”! All students and teachers laughed. It was so fun!

We admire all our students! And Pekka is an amazing example of what progress a person can reach just by himself!