acrussiaabroad For a language spoken by over a quarter of a billion people, Russian occupies a uniquely complicated space on the global stage. It is undeniably a major language, yet its influence is undergoing a profound transformation. Once the lingua franca of a vast empire and a Cold War superpower, its status today is caught between … Read more
Thinking about entering the Russian market? If your strategy begins and ends with finding a local distributor, you’re setting yourself up for a long, and potentially disappointing, wait. The old model – where the European producer handles production and the Russian partner handles everything else – is broken. After years of geopolitical and economic shifts, … Read more
As you plan to travel and study abroad in Russia, consider these resources during your preparation. Benefits of Studying Abroad 700 Reasons to Study a Foreign Language Center for Global Education: Why Study Abroad? Travel Resources Absentee Voting Currency Converter Passport Services and Information Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (visa applications available here) Time Zones … 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
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. The Outbound Scholarship … Read more
“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
If you are like me and cannot get enough of caviar (sometimes referred to as “roe”), you may be wondering how much you should be eating or serving to your guests. I am guilty of not knowing when to stop eating this tasty food. Therefore, I decided to do some research and find out the … Read more
Once you have decided on the perfect Russian samovar, you may be wondering how does a samovar work. Several years ago, I was in the same spot as you and had purchased my first samovar. I was immediately curious how to work it. Being a tea maker enthusiast for as long as I can remember, … 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
During winter break I elected not to travel home, and instead spent some time in Ukraine. A couple of days after classes ended, I flew to Kiev, where I met my father. We spent a week together touring the city’s cathedrals, Great Patriotic War monuments and museums, and of course stopping by Maidan to get … Read more