Michelson attended Moscow State University , where she received a degree in journalism . She earned a master 's degree in economics from Moscow State Institute of International Relations . While in Russia , Michelson covered breaking news as well as business , politics , and the military as a special news correspondent for RIA Novosti . Fluent in Japanese , she was initially based in Moscow , and later reported from Tokyo . As a journalist , she reported on stories such as the Kursk submarine disaster and the Beslan school siege . She also contributed to the independent newspaper , '' Kommersant '' , and served as a freelance correspondent for the state TV channel , Vesti ( Russia 24 )
Kursk submarine disaster
Kursk submarine disaster
Alya Michelson