Student of Samara University Gains Invaluable Experience in African Studies at ISAA MSU Alina Bakhmetyeva, a student of the International Relations program at Samara University, completed her internship at the Department of African Studies at the Institute of Asian and African Studies (ISAA) of Lomonosov Moscow State University. The internship was organized by the E.M. Primakov Centre.
As part of the internship program, Alina attended several thematic lectures — each offering a unique perspective into the world of African studies:
- A lecture on African languages explored the continent’s linguistic diversity, the function of lingua francas, the roles of Swahili and Amharic, and the impact of languages like Afrikaans. It delved into how language shapes social mobility and culture. Alina was especially struck by how Africa’s linguistic map has evolved under the influence of colonialism and globalization.
- Lectures on African history traced the continent’s journey from pre-colonial empires to the fight for independence and post-colonial development. These sessions provided profound insights into the transformation of African societies over the centuries.
- A lecture on African folklore highlighted the power of oral traditions — fairy tales, myths, and epics — in shaping collective consciousness, and why these stories remain relevant even in contemporary politics and culture.
A highlight of the internship was attending a scientific conference, where Alina not only listened to thought-provoking presentations but also observed passionate discussions among students and researchers on critical issues in international relations, African politics, and global development.
Alina shared her experience: “The consultation on my thesis topic — ‘China’s Economic Policy in African Countries’ — was especially valuable. I received expert feedback on how to strengthen the structure, what aspects to explore further, and — most importantly — gained access to additional resources, analytical reports, and academic databases. On the final day, we reviewed the outcomes of the internship. I am especially grateful to the Department of African Studies for the precious books on Africa they gifted me.”
Особенно в работе помогла возможность познакомиться с библиографической базой университета: научные Access to ISAA’s extensive bibliographic database played a significant role in supporting Alina’s work. Scientific journals, monographs, and articles enriched her research, with particular emphasis on the journal Asia and Africa Today — a goldmine of current analysis, case studies, and modern perspectives on global affairs.
We express heartfelt gratitude to the E.M. Primakov Centre and the administration of Samara University for making this internship possible, as well as to Aleksey Aleksandrovich Maslov, Director of ISAA MSU, Monika Rayvovna Urb, Associate Professor at the Department of African Studies, and Mary Rafaelovna Avdalyan, Senior Research Fellow of the Department of African Studies.
