JMC Week: Interview with Eleonora Proyaeva

October 22, 2013

How long have you taught at AUCA?

Everything started more than 10 years ago, when AUCA (at that time AUK) was just beginning to grow.  I liked the idea of an absolutely new university, where each person was responsible for their own job. It was completely in sync with my life principles, and therefore it is pleasant to work at this university.

What do you like about AUCA?

There is a simple psychological explanation, that is, AUCA is a habit of mine. But, of course, it is not only a habit. If a person works for a long time at one place then habit is combined with love. I like how a person is respected at AUCA in every department of the university, and all employees are responsible for their own job. The spirit of freedom, honesty and respect is not a ready commodity. But this spirit is found at AUCA.  

Why should students choose the Department of Journalism?

We have good equipment, but this would be nothing if we didn’t have a professional faculty.  I hear this from our students all of the time. For example we have Syinat Sultanalieva.  I have seen how she teaches.  She shares her experiences with students easily, a method which works well at AUCA. It doesn’t matter how old a person is or how a person looks, but mainly that he or she knows their own job and how to present their subject correctly.

Eleonora Alexandrovna, you teach the History of World Literature, and you are the founder of the Literary Club “Ark”. We know that F.M. Dostoyevsky is your favorite writer and philosopher. What are you looking for in this life?

 I look for satisfaction and spiritual harmony, as all people do. Actually, I like to look at people. Even when I’m on the minibus I stare at other riders for a very long time. I want to understand why it is that their eyes are either so dim or so shiny. I want to know their life stories. Why do they have wrinkles on their faces? This is so interesting to me! It’s like I’m in an art gallery. I think that they are as interesting as figures from Rembrandt’s pictures.

Do you have desk books which you continually read and reread?

-          Yes, of course! I really like the works of Ray Barberry, especially “Dandelion Wine”. Also I like a book by Lyudmila Ulitskaya entitled “Medea and Her Children”.

What is a motto or favorite saying that you follow?

You should never forget the wrong you have done to people, but you should forget the good things you have done. In short, let your guilt stay inside of you, but let the pride leave you.

What do you do when you feel sad?

I usually try to smile when I feel sad, because smiling is not just a physical change of the face, but a change of the soul. Accept all that happens as it does, and smile! Another “recipe” – do something good for another person. This will help you get through life and even love it.  

Do you have any hobbies?                               

One day I started to make toys for my children (they are more interesting than toys from the store) which had a soul and which were made from the heart with love and a smile.   Lately, I really like sitting under a tree, like Buddha, and enjoying the silence. 

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