An intern among ‘men of letters’

It almost feels like I’m stealing.

My internship for credit – not private lessons – includes creative development and career advice, along with opportunities to read, practice my language, and hobnob over chai (the Russian version of tea-time).

And all of this – with the writers of the Irkutsk division of the National Writers’ Society in the Irkutsk Dom Literatora (House of Littérateurs), which publishes the literary journal Sibir (“Siberia”).

The Katzner Russian-English dictionary defines the Russian take of the French “littérateur” as “man of letters.” Apart from the opportunity to revel in the erudition and energy of my men-and-women-of-letters-overseers, my role in the House as the society’s first intern and first American includes a number of perks.

1. They have no idea what to do with me, thus…
2. I make my own hours, but more importantly…
3. I have the resources of a 75-year-old Russian writers society (begun under Stalin, no less) at my fingertips to create my own experience to learn about language, art, publishing, and the people of Irkutsk.

Research on how Internet advertising might solve the journal’s financial crunch, writing English translations of sci-fi shorts of the society’s resident Americophile, and grant writing to America are all projects I’ve brewed up to pitch to my supervisors, so far. How would you use an opportunity like this? Leave a comment below!

With the simple requirements of eight 10-hour weeks, keeping a journal (view the blog at http://zarisovki.wordpress.com in Russian, or try the Google translator English version), and a final paper, I’m excited for this being an exercise in initiative and creativity.

The proximity to both the industry and the languishing Russian intelligentsia, added to my readiness to take this thing by the horns, make a formula for a more than successful experience.