| Date: January 28, 2001 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 1 | Issue Editor: Nila Kreidich |
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Russian Students Show us Moscow Activities A typical day for us includes waking up for a three hour class of Russian, followed by a break for lunch, and then our guides lead us on another adventure in Moscow. We return home around 7 or 8 o'clock at night to cook dinner and then the Russian students help us with our homework. By this time we are ready for bed in anticipation for another day of adventures. Chillin
in Moscow Weather The weather in Moscow has ranged from cold to very cold. I know that comes as a big surprise to most people. The coldest it has been was around negative fifteen degrees Celsius and a high of around five degrees Celsius. For people that do not work on the Celsius scale it has been between five and forty-one degrees Fahrenheit. Most of us are starting to adapt to the weather. Especially Nila, who has become very good at falling down on the ice. We have experienced a few small snow squalls. The largest has been around two inches. The snow is very dry and city workers have been constantly cleaning streets and side walks. Almost every day I have been awakened to the sound of someone shoveling snow outside of my room. From what people say, there is little chance that it will warm up for quite sometime. We are looking forward to a warm snap. We know our A,B,V's  Ludmilla teaching the Russian Language Education We American students have begun our formal education here in Russia with the course, Introduction to Russian Language. It is a very intensive course in that we meet for about three and a half hours per day, five days a week. Our daily homework assignments (written and memorization) take many hours each evening. In just seven days of classes we can read almost anything even though we know only a few meanings. We are able to describe our families, our clothes and ask simple questions. We have two Russian Language instructors: Vera and Ludmilla. In Russia there is no form of Mr., Mrs., or Ms. so we may call them by their first names. There are proper pronouns that we must use when addressing these important teachers. Vera and Lumilla are very patient with us as our tongues learn to twist in new ways. Our daily outings with our Russian companions are teaching us basic survival skills. We can buy our own Metro tickets, shop for food, and most important - find our way home. In addition, when we are out in the city we are beginning to read street signs, exit signs, and identify currency exchange stations. Another part of our education is learning what life is really like in a city of 12 million. Many of our preconceived ideas about Russia have been wrong. And as Dr. Valery Chumakov, our Dean of International Students said, "Ten days or one month is not enough. But maybe in four months you will learn enough about our country to know the real truth about us." This will probably be our most valuable lesson of all. |
My View as a New
Visitor In speech, Russian people seem more direct than American people with less small talk. While traveling they do not seem to waste time looking at the scenery and always take the shortest route possible. Even with the directness in speech and travel they are still for the majority very polite and courteous people. The cuisine is obviously much different from the United States. Russians drink less fluids during the day and the portions normally served are quite a bit smaller. This has been hard to get use to since in the US we drink a lot of water throughout the day and snack more. Getting to Know
Us...
Noah Handley is a 22 year old, Ag Engineering and Ag Operations Management major from Avon Park, Florida. In addition to studying at the University of Florida, Noah enjoys deep sea and flats fishing, cooking, and teaching girls to play pool. Nila Kreidich is a 21 year old, junior Ag Science major at Penn State University. She plans to enter the Peace Corps after graduation in May '02. Nila enjoys political activism, traveling the world, being outdoors, and returning to Montana where she spent her childhood. Matt Kreifels is a 21 year old, Ag Education major from Syracuse, Nebraska. Matt plans to graduate from the University of Nebraska this May and assume a teaching position at Blair High School in Blair, Nebraska. In August, Matt also plans to wed the love of his life, Sarah Manly. Originally from St. Augustine, Florida, Theresa Lynn is currently attending the University of Florida studying Ag Education and Communications. After graduation in May '02, this 45 year old plans to work in the Florida Extension Service with youth and horticulture programs. Theresa can be found in her garden, at a classical music concert, fishing, or adoring her three grandchildren. Graham Rupe is a 22 year old, Ag Systems Management major from Eustis, Nebraska. When he is not working with the University of Nebraska Student Senate or hanging out with his fraternity brothers, Graham is working at Husker Ag Sales, a John Deere dealership. He plans to graduate this August and return to the University of Nebraska to pursue graduate studies. Casey Saxton is a 22 year old, Ag Operations Technology senior at Montana State University. In the summer you can catch him jet skiing at the nearest lake, and in the winter, snow skiing at the nearest mountain. Casey also owns and operates a jet ski rental and repair business. Originally from Durango Colorado, Wade Taylor attends Montana
State University where he studies Ag Operations Technology. This 22 year
old enjoys snowmobiling, hunting, and fishing. Wade's most notable
accomplishment to date is bravely spending his first night in Moscow
alone.
Questions? Comments? E-mail Us! Pictures courtesy of: Casey Saxton, Matt Kreifels, & Graham Rupe Photo Editors: Wade Taylor & Nila Kreidich |
