Faces of KBSU: Tatyana Romanova – there is a whole world behind the map

Russia celebrates Geographer’s Day on 18 of August. On this professional holiday, we talked to a teacher who teaches how to see the planet. Tatyana Romanova is a senior lecturer at the Department of Biology, Geoecology and Molecular-Genetic Foundations of Living Systems at the Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov. For 19 years, she has been turning geography into a tool for understanding the world: for students through interactive technologies and projects with foreigners, and for children with disabilities, she has developed a special method called «Windows to the World».

«I became a geographer almost by accident,» the teacher recalls. «In 2001, while looking for a suitable educational institution, I noticed an announcement at KBSU about the launch of a new specialty — «Geography», under the supervision of Professor Rauf Alievich Buraev. So I was among the first students and subsequently graduates-geographers of KBSU. I have been teaching geography for many years, starting my career at school and then, at the invitation of Professor Buraev, continuing it at our university.» Over the years of work, the teacher has become convinced that knowledge of geography is necessary for every educated person. It is everywhere: mudflows in Tyrnyauz, a historical handshake in the Alaskan expanses, a hot summer — all these are manifestations of geography.

In her work, Tatyana Romanova uses modern technologies. Virtual travel, interactive maps, satellite images — all this makes the learning process more visual and accessible.

«One of my projects is «First Person», in which foreign students share information about their countries. This format is of great interest to local students, expanding their horizons and promoting intercultural exchange,» the teacher notes.
The geographer also works remotely with children with disabilities. For many of them, going outside and getting to know the world is difficult. In this context, geography lessons, especially those conducted with the participation of foreign students, become a real “window to the world” for children with disabilities. Thanks to these classes, children have the opportunity to travel remotely, learn new things and expand their horizons, overcoming physical barriers.

Tatyana Romanova loves to travel. For her, it is always an exciting adventure, an opportunity to actively spend time and get a lot of new impressions. She talks about her native Kabardino-Balkaria as one of the most picturesque places not only in Russia, but also in the world. However, as a geographer, she is convinced that beautiful corners of nature and culture exist everywhere.

“By learning geography, we learn about the world, and by learning about the world, we learn about ourselves. Geography is an endless source of inspiration and knowledge that invites us on a fascinating journey around the planet. It is waiting to be studied, explored and cherished, so that each new generation can enjoy its beauty and wealth,” says Tatyana Romanova.
And to all those interested in geography, she wishes to never lose their thirst for discovery! After all, geography is not just a science about the location of countries and cities on the map. It is a fascinating immersion into the world of nature, culture and human history.