“Excuse me, would you be able to tell me where the Baikonur metro station is?” So go my usual interactions with the people of Almaty as an American who finds herself getting lost almost everyday on the way back to her host family’s apartment. The passerby in question usually gives me a strange look, most … Read more
written by an Advanced Russian Language & Area Studies Program student In Russian, the word “шуба” [shoo-ba], plural: шуби [shoo-bee] has two meanings. 1. A fur coat 2. A salad that consists of alternating layers of mayonnaise, beats, and salted herring fish. The full name of the salad is translated as “Herring under a fur … Read more
Like many students who decide to study Russian, I fell in love with the country’s literature before I began studying the language. The prospect of developing the skills to read that literature in its original format can be a great motivator. However, the pantheon of great Russian writers can also have a chilling effect for … Read more
Of course they warned us. Before departing from Washington, D.C. we were told all about the frank and honest nature of the Russian people, the worlds of difference between our modes of self-expression, forms of etiquette, and so on. The honesty received from our Resident Directors and other American Councils staff during orientation was much … Read more
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in Moscow this summer (and there certainly is, given the truly insane amount of incredible experiences I’ve already had in only a few short weeks), it’s that Russians love their monuments. Monuments to Pushkin and Bulgakov, Zhukov and Alexander Nevskii litter the streets of every Russian city – along … Read more
The prospect of studying abroad, exploring new cultures, and gaining new insights into the world is very exciting. The reality of paying for this invaluable experience, however, can seem quite daunting. Fortunately, numerous resources are available to help offset the cost of study abroad, including private, federal, university and American Councils scholarships. AMERICAN COUNCILS FUNDING … Read more
1. Explore the neighborhood you live in and don’t only stay on Nevsky Prospect. While there are many incredible things to see along Nevsky Prospect, the main drag, staying off Nevsky will allow you to see other attractions without the crowds of foreign and domestic tourists as well as helping to improve your Russian, as … Read more
The country of Russia started a long time ago. Russia began with the establishment of the Rus’ state in 862 at the time when most of Europe was a part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire fell, but Russia survived. The word Rus’ comes from an ancient Norse word. It means “rowers,” such as … Read more