After extensively studying the Russian language at PCC, Fernando Vaughn has found himself interpreting that very language at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
“My time in Sochi has been amazing,” Vaughn said in English. “I’m having the time of my life over here and couldn’t ask for more.”
Vaughn is currently working at the Winter Olympics as part of the Aeroflot team of translators. Aeroflot is the largest airline in the Russian federation.
He took Russian 1, 2, 3, and 4 while he was at PCC in 2010 and 2011. Russian language instructor Dina Mokhnatkin said that she could attest to Vaughn’s active involvement and full dedication to studying Russian.
“I am truly very proud of his achievements,” Mokhnatkin said. “We wish him continued success.”
Throughout his experiences in Russia, Vaughn expressed his gratitude toward Mokhnatkin for everything that she had taught him and his classmates.
“For Mokhnatkin, our teacher, our protector, our supporter, our provider and our Russian mother, there are not enough words in the English or Russian language combined that can express the gratitude and respect I have for her and what [she] did for me and us all personally,” Vaughn said. “She truly played and fulfilled all those roles for us both in America and in Russia, and then some.”
According to Vaughn, Mokhnatkin helped open his eyes to a whole new and beautiful society and culture. He said that she encouraged him to join the Strategic Language Initiative (SLI) program and that without her, he would not be where he is today.
Vaughn was accepted to participate in the SLI program for intensive Russian immersion in 2010. In the summer of 2011, Vaughn participated in the study abroad component of the SLI program, studying for six weeks at the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow.
“Before we joined the program, we were told that it was going to be exceptionally intense and that the sights we would see abroad in Russia were going to change our lives,” Vaughn said. “They were absolutely right. In the first summer the high quality training we received in grammar and conversational speech was truly invaluable and the perfect foundation for our experience in Russia.”
His final project, which was presented at Russian State University for the Humanities, was done entirely in Russian.
Mokhnatkin said that Vaughn was enjoying all of his time in Sochi and Russia.
“In Moscow and St. Petersburg,” Vaughn told her in an email. “I was left in such awe by the craftsmanship of man and elegancy of the Russian culture. The most memorable sights that I’ll hold close to my heart were the White Nights in St. Petersburg and the Petergof palace.”
Vaughn has goals of becoming an English teacher abroad and ultimately wants to pursue a career as a translator.
“Aside from the tourism,” Vaughn said. “The language training and diploma we received in the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow are invaluable assets that I can apply to my future career. Which I currently already am, today.”
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