Character Analysis
To hear Alex tell it, Katriana Sergyeva is the most beautiful woman since Queen Beyoncé first graced us with her greatness. We might not agree with him on that one, though we have to admit that Katriana is one awesome lady.
After all, she puts herself at great risk to help Alex. She doesn't even think twice when he tells her that his family was kidnapped, immediately telling him to head to her apartment, "let [himself] in quietly and wait for [her]" (1.35) to arrive. She doesn't have to do this—she could easily just ignore his problem and go about her life as usual—but she does, accepting personal risk to help her student. Honestly, that's reason enough for us to love her.
Plus, she inspires Alex through her example. After all, she's the one who gives him the idea to leave the Soviet Union (something that had never even crossed his mind) when she says that even though she "loved [her] homeland, there must be someplace better" (1.65). Additionally, she hooks Alex up with her brother, who smuggles citizens out of the Soviet Union when he isn't working as a humble librarian.
Given all of this, you can understand our exuberance when we realize that Katriana is waiting on the shores of Finland when Alex arrives. It's a beautiful moment. Plus, it's only fitting that Alex's journey ends alongside the woman that helped him begin it.