Understand the Post-Soviet Mentality — Not Just the Language

Language is only the beginning

I help professionals and curious minds alike go deeper — into the emotional logic, values, and cultural codes that shape communication in post-Soviet societies.
Whether you’re a diplomat, journalist, lawyer, business leader, educator, or researcher — if you're working with or seeking to understand Russian-speaking environments, my programs will equip you with the tools to communicate with clarity, empathy, and cultural intelligence.
Choose Your Format

Why Work With Me

I’m not just a language teacher.
What I offer is not a curriculum — it’s a strategic lens for understanding and navigating post-Soviet systems of thought, speech, and behavior.

  • Academic Authority + Real-World Application

    My work bridges rigorous scholarship with practical consulting — helping professionals translate cultural insight into action.

  • Insider Knowledge of Diplomatic and Cross-Cultural Environments

    Having spent years in diplomatic circles, I understand how power, protocol, and perception work across cultural boundaries — and how language reflects it all.

  • A Translator’s Ear for Nuance

    With over 100 literary and academic works translated from Polish and German into Russian,
    I offer a deep grasp of metaphor, emotional tone, and subtext — the unsaid as much as the spoken.

  • Strategist of the Post-Soviet Mind

    I don’t teach generic grammar.
    I train you to interpret signals, decode behavior, and operate effectively in complex, high-context Russian-speaking settings.

Meet Dr. Irina Kisielowa

Dr. Kisielowa conducting a live coaching session with a cup of coffee
  • I’m Dr. Irina Kisielowa, PhD in Slavonic Studies, an award-winning literary translator, academic teacher, and cultural coach with decades of experience in high-level international environments.
  • I’ve translated more than 100 books, plays, films, and documentaries from Polish and German into Russian.
  • Born in Ukraine to Polish and Russian parents, I’ve lived across Europe and worked with institutions in Austria, Poland, Kosovo, and beyond — fully immersed in the complex landscape of Eastern European cultures.
  • My expertise is not theoretical.
    I draw from lived experience, cross-disciplinary research, and real-world professional practice.
  • I teach the mentality behind the language — helping you enter the post-Soviet space with confidence, sensitivity, and understanding.
Dr. Kisielowa conducting a live coaching session with a cup of coffee

How You Can Work with Me

Tailored programs for professionals who need more than just language

  • Russian Language Consulting

    For advanced learners (B1+ and up) who use Russian in professional settings
    • Semester-based courses (B1–C1)
    • Individual sessions focused on speech, writing, presentations, and strategy
    • Industry-specific training: diplomacy, law, media, academia, business

  • Crash Courses & Masterclasses

    One-time sessions for urgent preparation or deep focus
    • 60–90 minutes, live or online
    • For individuals or teams

  • Cultural Intelligence Workshops

    For teams or individuals working with post-Soviet partners
    Available in English, German, Polish, or Russian

  • Mentality Coaching

    Strategic 1:1 guidance for decision-makers
    • Decode emotion, hierarchy, power dynamics
    • Prepare for sensitive meetings, briefings, or cross-cultural conflict
    • Confidential and context-specific

  • Translation & Editorial Support

    Polish/German → Russian
    • Professional, literary, and cultural translation
    • Expert editing and stylistic refinement of all types of Russian-language texts:
    – reports and policy briefs
    – academic publications and dissertations
    – speeches and presentations
    – media articles and op-eds
    – website and marketing copy
    – grant applications and NGO materials
    – theater and film subtitles
    – museum labels and curatorial texts
    – fiction and non-fiction manuscripts

What You Can Expect

Irina Kisielowa conducting an online cultural intelligence coaching session

  • Real Insight from Real Stories

    Learn through vivid case studies, cultural misunderstandings, and hard-earned insights — many of them my own.

  • Tailored Curriculum, Designed for Impact

    Each path is customized to your field and objectives — diplomacy, journalism, business, academia — for maximum relevance.

  • Contextual Learning with Current Events

    We analyze news, media, and political language in real time — helping you speak not just Russian, but post-Soviet logic.

  • Practical, Hands-On Coaching

    Apply what you learn through real scenarios, roleplays, and critical incident analysis.
Irina Kisielowa conducting an online cultural intelligence coaching session
Trusted by leading institutions
Over the past 25 years, I’ve collaborated with and taught at major universities and organizations across Europe.
My work is recognized by:
Choose Your Format
Consultation
Individual session
  • 1:1 tailored coaching on your case or context - live session/Zoom
  • Strategic advice on meetings, interviews, writing, or messaging
  • Perfect for urgent prep or deepening your Russian through culture and history
from €100/h + VAT
Get Started
Workshop
Per group session
  • Live session/Zoom
  • One focused topic: mentality, negotiation, communication, media
  • PDF kit + access to select resources
from €200/h + VAT
Get Started
Academy Access
1 Semester
  • 12 sessions · 90 min each
  • Covers half of full program (B1 to C1)
  • Q&A and personalized feedback
€1800 + VAT
Get Started
Testimonials
  • Paul Krisai
    Austrian journalist, ORF correspondent in Moscow 2019-2023
    As a journalist covering Russia, Belarus, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia, Russian language skills have always been key for me. Irina not only prepared me for my work on a linguistic level — her hands-on approach was particularly helpful as it emphasized on speech and pronunciation — she also helped me better understand the people, culture and politics of this world region.
    Highly recommended!
  • Katja Ternar
    Global category and business development manager (Agrana Fruit)
    Mastering a language goes far beyond vocabulary — it’s about culture, expression, and confidence. After my exchange in Russia, my Russian skills plateaued — until I began classes with Irina.
    She’s not just a teacher, but a passionate guide through literature, history, and professional communication. With her personalized approach and constant encouragement, we tackled advanced grammar, built professional writing skills, and practiced real-life scenarios.
    Irina’s support helped me break through the stagnation and grow confident in using Russian in both casual and business contexts.
    Her guidance truly transformed my language journey.
  • Aleksander Makal
    Associate at Weisenheimer Legal
    When I began working with Irina, I could speak and understand Russian, but my grammar was inconsistent and my vocabulary limited. Irina’s structured lessons and diverse materials helped me strengthen my grammar, expand my vocabulary, and explore new areas of language and culture. Her supportive approach boosted my confidence, allowing me to use Russian both socially and professionally as a lawyer, building trust with clients.
    Thanks to her deep knowledge of Russian literature and culture, I also discovered a passion for modern Russian poetry and visual arts — an unexpected and enriching journey.
  • Agnieszka Lubomira Piotrowska
    Translator of Russian literature, expert in Russian culture, contemporary Polish theater and copyright of Polish artists
    Literary translation requires more than just language skills — it demands a deep understanding of cultural context. While working on the translation of a novel from Russian, I realized how easily one can miss subtle references: a line from a lullaby, a phrase from school literature, or a sentence with hidden irony. That’s why I turned to Dr. Irina Kisielowa. She helped me read between the lines, pointing out meanings and nuances I would have otherwise overlooked. Thanks to her insights, the translation stayed true to the author’s intent while becoming more accessible to the target reader.
    I can wholeheartedly recommend Irina as an exceptional literary translation expert.
  • Anastasia Trofimova
    Documentary director and cinematographer
    Despite being a native Russian speaker, I, nevertheless, came across many challenges when writing narration for my feature documentary, "Russians at War" (TVO/ARTE). I needed a consultant who not only possessed a flawless mastery of the Russian language, but could advise me on how best to bring across the subtlest emotional and political nuances in describing a very complicated and delicate topic. Dr. Kisielowa was out of this world. Her guidance with finding the right tone, her knowledge of regional dialects, Russian-Ukrainian relations and intimate socio-economic language markers were exactly what I needed and more.
    I would highly recommend Dr. Kisielowa and will definitely be using her services again in the future.

Contact

irina@kisielowa.com
Dr. Kisielowa