World War II Museum - Men's Day - Weddings
Activities
By Katie Harwick, Penn State University

       It was just another ordinary Saturday in March, but for the hundreds of couples in new suits and white dresses, it was one of the most important events of their lives. The bride and groom, accompanied by their closest friends, family, and baskets of wine, swarmed to the tall monument in Victory Park. For the normal American tourist unaware of Russian wedding customs, it looked similar to a communal wedding.
      In reality, this visit to the park has become a tradition for newly married couples since World War II. The pair brings flowers to put at the bottom of a tall monument that honors those who died in what the Russians call the Great Patriotic War. They also visit Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside of the Kremlin in the center of Moscow, which is another monument to those who were lost during WWII.

 These traditions are just part of the reverence that is still shown to the over 26 million Russians who died protecting their country between 1941-45.
      In addition to the 1418 meters tall monument, Victory Park also contains a museum which displays memorabilia and information about World War II. Dioramas of the different battles that occurred in Russia, a Hall of Tears containing books with the names of all Russians who died or disappeared, and a room commemorating those who were honored with the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were among the main attractions. They also displayed different American items that related to the Russians, such as the books called “Our Friends the Red Army” printed for the American troops, and American military uniforms.
    Another way of honoring the people’s sacrifices for their country was the establishment of a national holiday on February 23. Originally celebrated as the “birthday” of the Red Army and to remember those who fought in the war, this year it was slightly changed to honor all men. We gave small gifts to the 4 men in our group, such as shampoo, mints, flowers and chocolate. It was also a day off at the University, and was celebrated by having cross country skiing races on one of the ponds, a small student military parade and fireworks. Our teacher at the time, Dr. Carolyn Wilken (University of Florida) treated all the American students, not only the boys, to a good steak at the Louisiana Steakhouse in honor of the occasion.

Happy Spring everyone!!!  In the United States spring officially starts on March 21, which is still two weeks away. However, here in Russia, we are reveling in the good things spring has to offer.
      In this sometimes frigid land, the beginning of spring is observed on the first of March. Pam, an American that attends our church, first informed us of this fact and our Russian language teacher, Ludmilla, later confirmed the matter. Moreover, when March rolled around many students started to see and feel the differences around them.

One of the first things noticed was when the cloudy, gray sky had turned blue and was full of sunlight. In addition to this, the days are getting noticeably longer. Spring usually means warmer temperatures, a trend evident here in Russia. We have been witnessing many days with temperatures climbing above freezing that melt some of the surrounding snow. However, despite the fact that the days are warmer, the mornings and nights are still cold and biting. These warmer temperatures have made traveling more pleasant. Such was the case when we traveled to Vladimir and Souzdal on March 9. While visiting these cities there was a sense of better weather in the air, especially since their spring festival was taking place. The ice-covered sidewalks are now mostly clear, with the help of human labor, and the fear of falling has diminished. On occasion, we still need to watch out for ice, because sometimes the water that doesn’t evaporate or run off during the day freezes over during the night. The melting snow has revealed dry soil and grass.
The warmer temperatures seem to have given a sudden charge of energy to our low internal batteries. Students have been feeling alive with energy, increasing the ambition needed to walk through the nearby park more often than before. The spring conditions have made us more adventurous in our excursions throughout the city.
      Though we have seen and felt the changes of spring, this is not an everyday occurrence. Spring here, like in the states, can take many different forms. It is a time of year when it isn’t unusual to have warm beautiful days, rainy dreary days; even cold snowy days. Since March first, however, we have been enjoying the Moscow sunshine.
    Who knows if this wonderful weather will continue, but we will cross our fingers.

            Gazing over the tiny rows of tidy little beds with fluffed pillows, one couldn’t help but wax sentimental for the carefree days of afternoon naps in kindergarten.  At the Dmitrov kindergarten school, there are five different grade levels of children. They begin at age two and progress until they are six or seven at which point they enter their primary school years, or what is commonly known as elementary school in the United States. At this particular school, quality of learning was emphasized through small class sizes of twenty or fewer students accompanied by two teachers and one assistant. Each classroom had a teaching area that contained play areas, group areas, desks, napping room, and washing room.  Beyond the amenities of each room lies a broader purpose, for in the Dmitrov district all grades from kindergarten through vocational (junior) college, are focused on preparing the student to work in the industry of agriculture.

     Unlike public schools in the United States, Russian public education is centrally directed. There are national ministries (departments) that supervise curriculum, methodology, and scope of each local school’s program. Under the Ministry of General and Professional Education, there is a general education section that oversees the Dmitrov district of kindergartens (ages 2-6), primary (ages 7-13), and secondary schools (ages 14-17). Upon completing primary school, a student may continue on at a secondary school, or a school offering secondary education plus a vocational trade called a litsey, or attend a special secondary school called a technikum. After completing this level, there are paths to 2, 3, and 4-year vocational schools, institutes, or universities. A major difference between U.S. and Russian public education is that in the U.S., students just flow between grades and schools upon successful completion where as in Russia; exams must be taken to both exit one school and enter another.
       The purpose behind this structured form of education is to provide the country with enough workers to fill the needs of all sectors. Quotas are set for a number of students to enter each school. This is especially useful when certain sectors such as agriculture face a shortage of workers due to a “falling out of fashion.” Each school trains the children to be able to perform certain tasks as well as to obtain a high level of broad-based and theoretical knowledge. It is assumed that there will be low, middle, and high level specialists needed in society and the school systems work hard to provide each level with the necessary skills.
      So, how does a Russian curriculum differ from an American curriculum? By less than one would guess, actually. For example, in an agriculture kindergarten, the students have a greater exposure to plants, animals, and natural resources in their daily activities than an engineering kindergarten that would have more building materials and natural phenomenon (such as expanding air in a balloon). Continuing through primary, secondary, and vocational education there are larger differences such as a strict class schedule that allows few, if any optional classes. Multiple languages, mathematics, physical training, technology, art, and literature have more prominence as core classes. Teachers are given a maximum of 25% freedom to adjust a given curriculum to their class, according to national standards. So, while the paths to a professional education are quite different, the training received is very comparable to the U.S. equivalents.

Refuse Once, Walking Away Twice, Sold!
Culture
By Olivia Yu, University of Maryland

     A very practical skill to learn if one plans to travel to foreign countries is bargaining.  Most Americans, me included, spend more money than is necessary when traveling abroad.  However, my aunt, an expert bargainer, showed me this valuable skill when I visited her last year in Hong Kong.  The key is to refuse the offered price; counter with a price that you think is reasonable; and walk away.  If the merchant wants your business (and they usually do), they will revise.

The following is a list of tips for successful purchasing.

1. Contrary to what some books say, Russians DO bargain.  Obviously, stores and selected kiosks with listed prices do not, but most of the vendors usually give you a discount if you buy in bulk.

2. You are in Russia.  Talk in rubles.  Try to avoid vendors who offer prices in dollars.  Usually, the dollar prices are tourist traps.  A savvy shopper will notice that if one converts the dollars, prices are higher than in rubles.

3. Inspect all goods before accepting.  Check your purchases again after they hand the bag to you.  (I had a personal experience with some bad oranges.)

4. Competition is good.  Prices are usually better in specialized sectors.  Spread out purchases among several vendors.  They will offer you better prices once they see you have brought something from their neighbor.

5. Do not follow guide books verbatim.  Ismailovsky Park, Moscow’s most famous tourist market, is NOT only open on Friday and the weekends.  Although the selection is not as large during the week, one can get better bargains.  Other bonuses include avoiding the crowd and no entrance fee of ten rubles. 

6. Bring a book bag or some other type of bag.  Not all vendors provide packaging.  Also, carrying bags is an easy way to blend in.  Almost all Russians carry a bag with them everywhere to hold miscellaneous purchases from food to clothing to books.

7. Try to know some Russian numbers.  If you do not know your numbers very well, use pen and paper or a calculator.  Written numbers are universally understood.

8. Break large bills into small usable quantities at stores.  Street vendors do not usually have much cash on them.  Besides, many are very particular about exact change.

9. Good vendors will display their products instead of pushing them on you.  The best vendors to buy from are those that give a free history lesson in the process.  

10. Beware of vendors who say, “I am crazy to offer you this item at such a price” because they usually are and I am not referring to price.

11. As always, if you have time, shopping around or shopping with someone who knows approximate prices and can speak some Russian is a good idea.

Now armed with this list, go out and bargain like any experienced babushka!  The satisfaction of getting good bargains is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy Moscow day: catch them while you can…

     Since our arrival in Moscow, we have met other foreign students studying at Moscow State Agricultural Engineering University (MSAU) and other universities around Moscow.  So far we have met two other Americans, four students from Cameroon, one from India, and many Asian students, all of whom are spread throughout the city.  We have had the pleasure of spending time with those students who live in the hostel with us and learning about their backgrounds and why they choose to study here in Russia. 
    Normally, foreign students studying at Russian universities are required to take one full year of preparatory Russian language before studying in the university.  When admitted to the university, they may choose any major.  However, once the major is chosen, the classes in that major are predetermined.  Each major has a specific set of courses that students must take in a certain year during their stay at the university with no exceptions.  Also, students within a major are assigned to groups, which they remain in for the next five years.

     International students live in hostels near their prospective universities.  In our hostel, most are grouped together on certain floors.  For instance, many of the Asian students live on the tenth and eleventh floors.  In some cases, students from different countries, with different languages, are found rooming together.  This is a beneficial situation for all because in order to communicate with each other they have to speak Russian, their only common language.  According to several students, they do not mind the mixed living.  Instead, they find that not having a common language forces them to use Russian, helping them to blend in. 
     Most of the foreign students are happy with their choice to study at a Russian university.  Those of us participating in this program have also found our experience to be just as fulfilling.  Although, communicating with one’s roommates and classmates in Russian is not required, we try to use Russian as much as possible whenever an opportunity presents itself.  Also, through our interaction with other foreign students, as well as the Russian students in the program and the hostel, we acquire better knowledge of the language and learn more about the culture than we ever thought we would.  Through these experiences our group has realized that, despite how bad we think we speak and how little we know, we actually do quite well.

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