#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Taimyr college student Arina Popova is just 17 years old, but despite her young age, she prefers to live an active life: she takes part in competitions and events of various sizes, works as an animator, presenter, enjoys table tennis, ecological tourism, and is the chairman of the student council. Not long ago, she became a prize-winner of the all-Russian competition Best Guide of Russia, where she took third place.
“I came across an advertisement for this competition by chance on social networks. There were different age categories, and I applied to the one where the participants were not yet 18 years old. According to the competition terms, we had to film a two-minute sightseeing tour about the place where we live. That’s how the idea was born to show my native Dudinka”, said Arina.
According to the girl, Anastasia Belousova, an adviser to the college director, a teacher of history and social studies, helped her in preparing the text and creating the video.
“We worked together: Anastasia Maksimovna was the cameraman and came up with locations for filming. True, we were unlucky with the weather: it was cold outside, our hands and lips were freezing, and because of the strong wind we had to re-record the sound at home and re-dub it. But we managed everything, and during the evening I edited our video”, the Dudinka resident shared her memories.
Arina said that she loves nature and traveling, every summer she goes to the Putorana plateau as a volunteer.
“I like the amazing atmosphere of this place: no connection, no internet. You go out in the morning, hear the birds singing, make a fire, drink tea and find yourself in a different reality”, Arina said. “We live there in tents on the lake shore. In the distance you can see mountains covered in a shroud of thick fog. There is a ringing silence around: you can hear every rustle, the birds’ chirping, the fish splashing in the lake, and you understand that you are in complete solitude, far from the bustle of the city, where no one can disturb you”.
The victory in the regional competition inspired the girl, and she is ready to conquer new heights.
“I want to go to Taganay, the Urals, Karelia, Irkutsk. There are a lot of places worth visiting – Russia is limitless. Especially considering that young people are now provided with many opportunities for development and growth. For example, in December I was in Moscow, participated in the Practical Academy project as part of the First Movement program, and on March 2 I returned from Krasnoyarsk from the regional stage of the Professionals 2024 championship”, the student said.
Arina noted that the main thing in life is not to be afraid of anything and move forward. And if there is an experienced and knowledgeable mentor nearby, then a young man will be able to do everything.
“Many guys find it difficult to change anything in the world they are used to because of the fear of the unknown and defeat. In my opinion, they just lack a reliable shoulder nearby – someone who would motivate. Anastasia Belousova supported me. And every person needs such a mentor, someone who will give advice, who will help not to lose faith in themselves”, she concluded.
Follow us on Telegram, VKontakte.
Text: Ksenia Usova, Polina Bardik, Photo: Arina Popova’s archive
