Russin' Russians
Activities
By Gabbriel Frigm

This past week, the people of Moscow have seemed to slow down, taking full advantage of all the warm sunshine. Two months ago those Rushin' Russians that were in such a hurry, now seem to walk with less urgency to take refuge from the cold-ourselves included.

The activities available in this city are changing. Ice skating and skiing have been replaced with long walks in the park, and many more warm weather activities. The thought of sitting inside on days as warm and as beautiful as the past few makes the whole group grow antsy.

This Wednesday, possibly the sunniest and most beautiful day we have seen thus far in Moscow, we found our normally scheduled 9am seminar would not take place until 3pm. Being heartbroken that our trip to the Soils Museum at Timirasev Academy would have to wait till 3, we decided that we should take full advantage of the beautiful day and get out to see some sights. Living in a foreign country we have learned the importance of being flexible, and sometimes it comes back in our favor! We started out on our adventure early in the morning, heading to Red Square, which was more alive with people than I have ever seen it; Meg commented that the day reminded her of the summers in Moscow.

The first place we visited was Lenin's Mausoleum, located in Red Square, in between the National museum and St Basil's Cathedral. We waited in a short line where there was a security check to make sure that no photos were taken, and then made our way up through Red Square to the small dark building. As we walked into the tomb, I tightly clenched Meg's arm, not from fear of seeing the body of one of the most famous Russian leaders, but more from the fear of not being able to see the stairs as our eyes were trying very hard to make the transition from a very bright sunny day to the abrupt darkness. Guards were posted at every turn, guiding tourists through the small maze that is the Mausoleum. Luckily, our eyes adjusted just in time to walk around Lenin's preserved body, which was the sole thing in the room except for the guards in each corner. First, you pass by his right side, noticing his clenched fist; then by his feet, where you are able to see the entire body, amazed that it has held up so well over time; finally you pass his left side, getting a final glimpse at one of the most influential people in Russia.

After exiting Lenin's tomb, we walk along the Kremlin where names, plaques, and statues were displayed to pay honor to the fallen men and heroes of the Soviet Union. As we made our way through the sidewalk, it was touching to see the Russians laying flowers and honoring those who fought many years ago. We strolled along the path, which eventually brought us out right in front of St. Basil's Cathedral.

The happy family gathers outside St. Basil's, squinting for a shot in the sun. From left to right: Mary Anne, Tara, Brie, Lynn, Sam, Lisa, and Shane.

In front of St. Basil's were many tourists snapping photos. Our group also took advantage of this perfect, photogenic light. We must have taken at least 50 pictures throughout Red Square in the few hours that we were there. We had the opportunity to go inside the Cathedral, which was much colder than the temperature outside; the workers were bundled up in furs and thick winter coats to stay warm, while outside people had shed their layers for light spring jackets. Inside was made up of many different rooms tucked away by narrow passages that brought together the nine spires of the Cathedral. On the brick walls were traditional paintings, religious icons, and murals. Overall, it was much different inside than how I had imagined it would be. The thick walls caused it to be much smaller than I was expecting, especially when compared to the grandeur set by outside of the Cathedral.

When it was time to go we ended our excursion with lunch from the Sabarros pizza nearby. Wow! What a day, it doesn't get much better than that, sunshine, sightseeing, and yummy food. With all this beautiful weather, we are out and about more than ever, seeing all that Moscow has to offer, and becoming our own version of Rushin' Russians. Stay tuned for many more activities to come!

At the risk of generalizing, agricultural college students are doomed to the same fate. We will all eventually grow old, our hair will turn grey, our faces will wrinkle from exposure to the sun and our conversation topics will all revolve around…the weather.

You might laugh, but I then can guarantee that you have never been sshhh-ed at the dinner table when the weather came on the radio news. It is more revered than Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story." As a rule, it is a sin to talk during the weather: it's a holy topic.

This is why, you should always be wary when asking a farmer or a rancher how the weather has been. This question is, in a sense, the opening of Pandora's Box. Instantly you have become the student, to be educated on what is, what was, and what could be in the realms of weather. Your teacher has a memory like an elephant and can regale you with tales (for hours) from long ago. For example, "Back in May, May 21st of '79, it started snowing at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon and didn't stop for two days."

Now you may ask, "How is the weather in Moscow?" The locals (yes, we asked) predict another snow storm before final spring. But we have found it to be pleasant: A typical spring arrangement of sunshine, gentle rainstorms, grey days, green grass and mud. Light jackets, sunglasses and umbrellas have replaced winter parkas. Tulips are slowly emerging, testing to see if the weather holds before they bloom. In other words, it has been beautiful, warm spring weather.

Lisa enjoying the warm, spring sun

However, in fifty years, in Montana I am sure Shane and I will share our experiences in a much different fashion. We will have endured the torrential rains, the mud will have been at least a foot deep and the warm weather will have disappeared. I can hear us now, "Back in Moscow, in March of 2004…" Agricultural kids all doomed to the same fate.

When one thinks of Moscow, soil, fresh flowers, and planting do not often come to mind. Instead, one tends to think of enormous piles of snow, freezing temperatures, and perhaps the Kremlin. The idea of gardening in Moscow is similar to the idea of starting an amusement park on Jupiter, a little out of this world. However, much to our surprise, and great joy, that was exactly where we traveled last week for our weekly seminar: "Gardener" gardening and landscape center.

The main building at the garden center we visited is hardly promising. It is a small building with only a few windows, and it is set next to a gas station. Surrounding the building was some patio furniture and a gazebo. Inside was another universe. We entered the building to find a bright patch of hyacinths, daffodils, among other flowers. This small patch of color spread the scent of spring through the entire building. The building was warm and bright, and the flowers were the first true sign that spring does, in fact, come to Moscow. So entranced were we by these flowers, that we stood surrounding them and breathing in their precious perfume for at least ten minutes, if not longer. These flowers were like the gateway to home, and then we began to explore the rest of the garden center and all the other similarities.

With the exceptions of the Russian signs and pricing on all the merchandise, this garden center could have been lifted straight out of Pennsylvania. Along with the flowers, there were grills, cheesy lawn ornaments, mailboxes, coal, soil, fertilizer, an interesting variety of planters, and a wide selection of bulbs and seeds. It seemed as though we had stepped onto a transporter from Star Trek and Scotty had beamed back home. All thoughts of homesickness vanished as we enjoyed exploring the center and all its possibilities. To cure the loneliness brought on by the dreary day and the long winter, a few students even purchased plants and the supplies necessary to begin their own flowers.

Unfortunately, our time came at the garden center ended at all too soon. After what seemed like only minutes, we were herded towards the exit to begin our trip back to the hostel. Not even the clouds could dim our spirits, those small flowers had given us hope and proven to us that spring will soon come.

Brie takes time to stop and smell the roses..err, I mean, hyacinths

Good Music, Good Dancers, Great Saturday Excursion
Culture
By Mary Honablew

 On Saturday the 20th, we went to the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall where we saw an interesting Russian Folk Dance Performance. Besides being fascinated with the performances, I was also drawn to compare this theater to the Bolshoi. I enjoyed the show and learned a bit about the culture and how they interpret things through dance.

There were many things that stood out when we entered the performance hall. As usual, all of the people attending the show had their best clothes on, their hair nicely groomed, with complementing accessories for their outfits. Looking at the interior, I noticed the absence of ornate design. For example, the red and gold leaf, which was abundant in the décor of the Bolshoi, was replaced by a creamy white: the walls, chairs, curtain, and even the stage were white. The Tchaikovsky Theater was large and spacious, seating up to about twice as many people as the Bolshoi. The layout out of the stadium seating and the large stage that protrudes far from the curtain allowed for a perfect view of the action from every seat in the house.

The girls enjoying the folk dance! Tara, Brie, Meg, and Mary Anne pose for the camera.

There were different dances that had special themes, costumes, and roles the dancers portrayed. Acrobatic and delicate dances are just a few of the types of moves that they skillfully used. The various performances had as few as one or two people to as many as 30 people. We saw folk dances from around the world: a few of the dances included Spanish or Mexican themes including dress and music with mariachi music and balaros; Asian dances were complete with women dancing with fans; and there were even a few cowboys dancing around. There was even a comical one man show which the dancer wore a creative costume that looked as if there were two babushkas constantly fighting each other. They would trip each other up and then a few times they got pretty close to falling of the front of the stage. Actually, one of the babushkas did, but the other one pulled her up. The children that also came to the show found these parts very funny just like I did. The finale included a Jewish wedding ceremony, where the whole troupe was on stage, dancing the Halva naguila.

I was ready for a nice stretch when the intermission came after a full hour of performances, and I found myself going out of the performance area and seeing Russians crowd around the concession stands. These stands were elegant, and they not only sold chocolates for five rubles, they also sold red and white wine. There were tables set up for these wine drinking Russians to place their glasses on, or eat a salmon snack also offered. For the younger crowd, delicious ice cream was offered for just 15 rubles (50¢) and that's what most of the group decided to get. When the bell sounded and it was time to return to our seats and be dazzled by the show.

As usual, the orchestra that played live music for the show was wonderful. The music and loudness was fitting for each scene and the clarity of the music was superb. But I believe that some scenes had prerecorded music. This time the orchestra was not underneath the stage like the Bolshoi, it was on the same level as us, the second level to the right, tucked in the corner.

The show was wonderful, and for my appreciation I clapped and clapped. Some people even brought flowers for the performers and after receiving their gifts. The dancers had to put them down to take more bows because of the enormous thunder of clapping directed towards them. My hands were a little numb from all the clapping, but my eyes and ears were elated from the spectacular show we watched.

Russian dancers turn, tap, and twirl at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall

How Did I Get Here?International Programs at MSAU
Moscow State Agroengineering University
By Samu Dupont

Have you ever wondered how this group of Americans ended up over in Moscow? Once upon a time, there were two ambitious professors from different corners of the earth. They thought it would be interesting to see what would happen when they mixed their students together. When that worked well, they thought: what if we added more universities? Six years and over 100 students later, we ended up with international programs like this one. But how do other international students get here or go there?

Here at Moscow State Agro-Engineering University (MSAU), the international programs office is constantly being dealt a fresh load of students from the corners of the globe for which to support and care. Agriculture is the universal need of all nations, so it is no surprise that agriculture universities all over the world are sending students abroad. The time has come for the world to be more globally aware, respecting and taking into account all nations of the earth. MSAU has moved forward with this task by supporting international studies with many programs.

The program closest to heart at the moment happens to be the one that we are on now. This program originated at Penn State but has come to include six universities from all across the US. Texas A & M, Nebraska State, Montana State, Penn State, University of Florida, and University of Maryland make up the six schools from the US tied with MSAU. These universities all work together to bring students and professors to MSAU. They study the dynamics of agriculture in Russia along side Russian students who are studying English and agriculture.

Not only does MSAU have programs for the students in the US but also for teachers and farmers from Russia. They are recruited to go to the US to receive training by the USDA. This program has had more and more Russian participants over the last five years. MSAU also hosts follow-up conferences, including a round table, where past participants may discuss what they have learned.

In addition, MSAU has opportunities throughout the world where students can participate in during the summer to gain practical agricultural experience. These summer experiences are on farming operations in countries like Germany, Holland, France, China, Mongolia, India, Armenia, and Hungary. Those listed above are the countries with largest partnerships with MSAU; however, MSAU students also travel to other agriculture universities in the world.

Nastya and Vera have enjoyed their experience with International Programs at MSAU. While both participants in our program, Nastya has also gone to Holland for practical experience.

The Dean of International Programs, Dr Valery Chumakov, at MSAU organizes these programs, while teaching a full course load. With only four people who work in the international education office of MSAU, you could imagine that they stay very busy. Dr. Chumakov, our host here in Moscow, has connections all around the globe and brings a rich diversity of culture to MSAU, providing Russian students a chance to have international experiences during their education.

I have just barely skimmed the layer of what types of international opportunities are available here at MSAU: everything from Master's degrees to job placement in international firms is available. Our program and partnership with MSAU gives us a chance to experience a new nation of people during an exciting period of change, while earning credit at our own universities. We are grateful for all the effort that has been put into making it possible to get us here.

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