Master Degree Program History of the Countries of Northern Europe Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

In 2010 the Faculty of History of PetrSU (currently the Institute of History, Political and Social Sciences) opened its first Master Degree program. Based on the many years of experience in the history of Nordic countries and Finland, the program was have passed the evaluation of the Academic Historical Methodological Association of Moscow State University, and later received license and accreditation. To this day it is the only program of this kind offered by Russian universities.

The first academic supervisor of the program was Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Lev Suni, a prominent specialist in the history of Finland. Now the faculty includes the Associate Professor of the Department of World History, Political Studies and International Relations Irina Takala, Alexandr Tolstikov, and Ilya Solomeshch.

“Initially the program aimed at training high-quality all-round humanities scholars who have comprehensive knowledge in the areas of history, politics, international relations, cultures and languages of the countries of the Northern Europe (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, as well as the Baltic and Barents regions),” says Ilya Solomeshch.

The curriculum of the Master Degree program balances theoretical and specialized courses focused on an in-depth study of ethnic, historical, social, and political dimensions of Northern Europe.

Particular attention is paid to language studies. The program includes the Finnish, Swedish, and English languages, studied to be further used in professional communication.

Alongside the leading specialists of PetrSU, courses are taught by visiting professors from Russian and foreign universities. Contacts with foreign universities and organizations allow Master students to benefit from international educational, exchange, and grant programs.

The interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum allows graduates to use their knowledge in the areas of humanities, social and economic sciences, cooperate with representatives of other areas of expertise in solving research and applied tasks, engage in expert and analytical work.

Science, education, international cooperation, public administration, culture, media, tourism, entrepreneurship are among the areas in which graduates of the Master Degree program pursue successful careers.

“Experience has shown that among the applicants and students of the program there are graduates of Bachelor Degree programs of allied programs in humanities and social studies: international relations, political studies, social studies, and philology. We also note the growing number of applicants from outside Karelia,” clarified Ilya Solomeshch.

Here are testimonials of graduates of the program.

Yuliya Shumeiko (graduate of 2012), senior manager of the incoming department of InTourLeader tour operator:

“Interesting, useful, prestigious! These three words can describe the Master Degree program in the history of the countries of Northern Europe. It has passionate teachers, foreign language studies, internships abroad. You have an opportunity to do research (write a master thesis) in the area of interest under the guidance of an experienced scientific adviser. The department has a welcoming environment, everyone is eager to help and in good spirits. This is the case when studying is not only useful but a pleasant process. I recommend the program to everyone!”

Evgeniya Babenko (graduate of 2015), a Ph.D. student at Abo Academi University (Turku, Finland):

 

“It is indeed a unique Master program. As it is usually with life-changing events, I’ve learned about it by the incident. 

I have long been fascinated by the culture and history of the north, but from warm Ukraine, this love seemed unrequited, at least until I learned about the Master Degree program in the history of the countries of Northern Europe. Without hesitation, I went to Petrozavodsk to learn more, and afterward nothing and no one could change my mind. I enjoyed everything: people, nature, university, atmosphere.

I was at home, while the department has become my new family. My fellow students, just as my teachers, have become special people for me. I appreciated that although we are so different we have found the common ground in the love for what we do.

Moreover, we had the freedom of choice, amazing teachers, opportunities to apply for various scholarships, demanding language studies. I have chosen to study Swedish, the language which upon the completion of the Master Degree program I now use in studying at the university. I am now a Ph.D. student at Abo Academi and I believe it is possible thanks to the knowledge I received at PetrSU.”

Alexandr Bochkarev (graduate of 2018), a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Language, Literature and History of the Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

“Perhaps the most important for me was the opportunity to engage in an in-depth and more focused study in the chosen area, as well as a more specialized curriculum comparing to Bachelor Degree programs. Besides, I fondly remember the special positive atmosphere at the department that stimulated diligent work.”