S TU D E N T S IN ACT ION
ON POINTE Anja Selland demonstrates her ballerina chops (photo courtesy North Dakota Ballet Company)
Sitting in the West Atrium at the School of Medicine & Health
Hold on—you’re from
Sciences building in Grand Forks in February, Rugby, N.D., native
Rugby, N.D., but studied
and MD Class of 2023 President Anja Selland is reflecting on her
Russian in Minnesota?
first year. It had been a busy one already. Not only had she adjusted
This is a long story! From the time
to the rigors of medical school, but she was still working hard to
I was four until I graduated from
keep up with her other passion—classical ballet. Over coffee, as
high school, I took ballet lessons
snow flurries moved in from the west, the fluent speaker of Russian
in Minot from a Russian instructor.
chatted with North Dakota Medicine about The Nutcracker, health
When I was in middle school, our
care in Russia, and how the study of language and medicine really
family spent a sabbatical year in
aren’t so different after all.
Alaska. My dad is a family practice
[Conversation edited for clarity and space.] So, I know you’re from Rugby, but what did you study as an undergrad and where? I attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. I majored in Russian Studies, which connects to my background in ballet.
16
North Dakota Medicine Summer 2020
physician, and my mom is a pastor. This sabbatical year was a good break from a busy medical practice and a great family adventure. In Anchorage, I had the opportunity to take Russian language class and discovered
