The UW Baltic Program is off to a fantastic start in Fall Quarter 2024. A cohort of seventeen students is enrolled in Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian language classes; and more are studying in two classes taught in English – “Latvian Literary and Cultural History” and “Baltic Politics and Society.” Bex, a student in the Latvian class, comments, "I feel more connected to my culture than ever, and am meeting new language friends." The Baltic teachers agree that something special is happening their courses: We're noticing an exceptional amount of energy and motivation among this year's students. Last month (October), students embraced opportunities to meet the Ambassadors of Estonia and Latvia, and next month (December) we look forward to hosting the Ambassador of Lithuania on campus.
Līga Miklaševiča joined the program in January 2024, and has settled in for her second "inspiring" year at UW, exploring with her students the depths of everything Latvian. Gina Holvoet comes to us from Vilnius University, where she taught a course on the history of Bible translation into Lithuanian, and Lithuanian language, and administered projects for Baltic Studies abroad. Gina enjoys working with students and discovering cultural similarities or differences between Lithuanians and Americans. She is enthusiastic about Seattle where she is struck by the harmonious coexistence of nature and the creations of the human hand. Gina especially enjoyed the warm welcome she received from Seattle's Lithuanian community! Greg Rahuoja races two horses at the same time: he is teaching his native Estonian language and pursuing a graduate degree in Scandinavian Area Studies. Among many other things, he has grabbed the Norwegian language by the horns and is striving to learn it in two years.
Guntis Šmidchens continues to teach Baltic courses in the Scandinavian Department, while also embarking on an adventure in the UW Jackson School of International Studies, as Director of the new Center for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies. “With all three of our languages on strong footing, I see some great potential for expanding the program, building conections across campus,” he commented. All four Baltic Program instructors wish their students, friends and community supporters “Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus! Rõõmsaid Jõule! Linksmų Kalėdų!,” and a happy, hard-working and productive New Year.