Jacob Springer is graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this year with an MA in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. He received his BA in Slavic languages and literatures and history from the University of Kansas. Jacob came to the REEES program to have a better understanding of Eastern Europe and to prepare for a career working with foreign languages. During his time as a REEES MA student, Jacob has studied Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, and Tatar. Jacob's MA research focuses on a Ukrainian musician, Taras Kompanichenko, and how he has brought folk songs, medieval ballads, and old Ukrainian instruments to a contemporary audience.

Reflecting on his time as a REEES student, Jacob shares, "Being a student of Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies has connected me to a large group of faculty, staff, students, and other people beyond the University. The best part is learning about these people and their interests. It has taken my own interests beyond Russia, Poland, or Ukraine, and to other areas and times in our world."

From February to July 2023, Jacob will conclude his MA studies in Kraków, Poland at the Jagiellonian University through an exchange program. Jacob plans to work in Eastern Europe as an English language instructor as either a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Peace Corps Volunteer, or through the First Things Foundation.