Learning In Germany

Privet! I am back again, and with more stories! As you all know, I had left for Germany in 1868 to continue my schooling. I was so excited to try this new adventure to pursue my dreams— I wished to become a doctor or chemist. However, when I arrived in Germany, I was sorely disappointed. Like the universities in Russia, the university in Heidelberg did not allow women to attend lectures. I was furious— I had travelled all that distance only to be rejected simply based upon my gender. I am quite certain that the schools would not consider me even if I had invented mathematics. My husband Vladmir Kovalevsky and I had each gone our separate ways upon arriving in Germany, so even he wasn't there to help me out. Determined to not let the Germans get the best of me as well, I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote letters upon letters and endless essays to the university asking, begging, and demanding that I be allowed to attend lectures and classes. Finally, they allowed me to attend the lectures, but as an unofficial student. I couldn't earn any degrees during my university schooling. But, I was making progress! Until next time, do svidaniya!