A Russian native, I was born and raised in Russia, came to the United States in 2000 and currently reside in Southern California. My family lives in Novosibirsk, Russia and I frequently travel to Russia, which helps me maintain ties with my culture and follow political, social and economic developments in the country. It also helps me keep my Russian up to date, since rapid changes in Russia's political and economic life bring along linguistic novelties.
Languages and intercultural relations have always been my passion. As a child, in addition to learning English in school, I started learning Italian on my own, which, thanks to having many friends from Italy later in life, I have brought to fluency without taking any formal Italian language courses. As a schoolgirl, I had penpals in many countries. I am married to a Dutch husband.
I was educated both in Russia and in the United States. I hold graduate degrees in English and French language studies, linguistics, and translation and interpretation from Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Monterey Institute of International Studies.
I am an active member of the New England Translators Association.