Today I was thinking about all the American women Russophiles I know, and realized that they’re all of a certain ilk (myself included): kinda crunchy, kinda nerdy (in a good way, ladies), feminist, not inclined to wear lots of makeup or stiletto heels, vegetarian or vegetarian-sympathizers… you know the type. The ironic thing is, this is the exact opposite of the stereotypical Russian woman. We come here and stick out like sore thumbs. Whatever it is that makes an American girl want to study Russian, it’s got little to do with reality.

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