Home, home on the range

Culture
By Heather Hutcheson

Who ever thought country air could smell so sweet?  Borshch from the garden could taste so fresh?  Well after three months of city living and city smells, Sam, Steve and I were ready for a break from the fast paced life that is common to any major city.  So, when our Russian friend Zoya Kostina invited us to her hometown of Dimitrovnaya (Dimitri’s Mountains) we were thrilled to accept. 
An hour-long metro ride found us at the train station about to partake in what would be my first train ride ever!  I was surprised and thrilled to find what our 300 ruble ($10) train tickets would provide – our own little train compartment with six beds, a table, and a window view.  After five hours of seeing nothing but the Russian forests, we had no idea what to expect.  Upon arrival we were happy to be heartfully welcomed into a very friendly and loving Russian family.

We truly worked for the fire we created. Sam, Zoya, Steve, Zoya’s Father (Left to Right)

            In such a small village with no apparent type of entertainment, it immediately crossed all of our minds – what will we do for two days and two nights?  We were soon to find out as Zoya’s dad loaded all of us Americans, three of Zoya’s friends, and her brother and sister into his truck.  We then headed off down a snow covered road deep into a nearby forest where we soon found that although five feet of snow still covered the ground, it wasn’t stopping any of us from having a midday campfire!  While waiting for the wood to burn down we played numerous Russian games devised by Zoya’s dad.  When the fun and games were finally over and our bellies were full of roasted onions and sausage, we packed up and returned to Zoya’s house. 

Upon our arrival home, first things first – we needed to remove that distinct campfire smell.  Generally, Russian houses have no showers; instead, washing is done in a small steam filled room similar to an American sauna.  This was our first introduction to the Russian tradition of banya.  It is customary that women and men attend the banya separately and afterwards, they drink tea – thus completing the Russian tradition that all of us Americans were honored in experiencing. We all had a wonderful time and thought it was a great escape to travel to the country town of our friend Zoya. After a fantastic weekend of true Russian culture, we all received an invite back to visit the Kostina family.  I think that before we leave for our own families, another visit to this loving family would be an excellent ending to an unforgettable experience.

Zoya’s extended family gathers around for a quick picture before our departure

Studing abroad without leaving Moscow

University
By Rebecca Heilman

Study Abroad without leaving Moscow?  How is that possible?  Many universities offer classes that explain international agriculture.  The difference with this program is that students are able to meet professors from all around the world.  While studying at MSAU, students have a chance to be part of a program that allows them to explore international agriculture in the comfort of their own school.

Kastya, Yan and Justin (Left to right) discuss the global problem of available drinking water

Not only this program is open to students at MSAU, but students from any agriculture university can participate.  There are a few requirements for participating in this program, including abilities in English and having completed at least two years of study at a university.  Students are able to be in the program during fall or spring, but many participate in both semesters to learn even more about international agriculture.

During the weekly 2-hour session, students talk about a variety of issues that are affecting agriculture in the world today.  Once a month, students are able to take part in a videoconference, bringing together the United States, France, Uruguay, Thailand, and Russia. The Russian administrator Pavel Sorokin, is the creator and moderator during academic seminars.  During the other sessions important agricultural topics are discussed and students prepare for the videoconferences.  However, during the seminar that we were present at, students had a chance to interact with two professors from the United States, Dr. Dennis Buffington and Professor Ray Miller.  Both professors were in Russia for different reasons but gladly offered a couple of hours to meet and speak with the students.  The unique aspect of having two American professors and a mixed Russian and American group allowed everyone to walk away with a better understanding of the other country’s agriculture. 

Our professor, Dr. Dennis Buffington, took this photo as a lasting memory of those students who partook in this program

Not only do students attend the seminar weekly, but they also are given readings and homework to complete for the next class.  Despite a non-credited lecture, students spend an additional 3-4 hours preparing materials.  This surprised us but made us realize that they are truly interested in learning about international agriculture.  From what we understand the international job market is very competitive with respect to agricultural companies.  The recommendations that these students receive will hopefully elevate and secure them a future in the agribusiness world.

Truly an international agriculture experience

Education
By Erin Wahal

 
Americans and Russians enjoy a day’s excursion together at CLAAS machinery

As a part of our education we have the opportunity to visit many agribusinesses in and around the Moscow region.  This has been one of the most interesting parts of being here in Russia; it gives us the opportunity to compare what we have seen in the United States to what can be found here in Russia.  We have had the opportunity to learn about some businesses here in Russia that we didn’t know about in the United States.  All of our backgrounds and experiences differ, so it is very helpful to have a varied group perspective when we visit different businesses in the region.  Each one of us can help to explain different aspects of the businesses and together we can better understand the differences between these business markets.

On March 29th we visited our second tractor and machinery supplier in Russia, CLAAS.  CLAAS is a German based company that supplies Russia with tractors, combines, and other farm equipment.  As with hundreds of foreign companies, CLAAS recently expanded into the Russian market, establishing a branch in Moscow in 1996.  There are three different divisions of this business in Russia, a production department, spare part distributor and a sales outlet.  We visited the spare parts distributor responsible for supplying all spare parts to Russia.


Our Russian professor and Judaev take a second to discuss current issues

 They have seen a great amount of success in the limited amount of time that they have been present in the Moscow Region.  With sales growing, each year they sell 80 to 100 tractors and over 300 combines. There is a possibility of grounding CLAAS’s business and creating a manufacturing location within Russia to help fulfill the demand for their products and spare parts.
This trip was especially interesting to us, because last week we attended a presentation from their main competitor John Deere.  Since these companies are both household names in the United States, we were interested to find if they were equally successful in the ever-growing Russian economy, and whether they were expanding their sales and presence in the market.  As students we found that CLASS and John Deer are becoming larger in Russia and this fieldtrip was one of the most interesting parts of our education.  Russia is becoming globalized, and a real economic player within the market, and we are getting to see these developments take place first hand.

Everybody likes ballet, right?

Activities
By Steve Williams, Sam Carpenter and Justin Robinson

On March 29th we walked into the beautiful Kremlin Palace Theater, dressed to the nines, eagerly awaiting the showing of the famous Russian ballet Jizel. I have never been to a ballet before; I had always been taught by society that ballets were only for girls. So I was thinking “what was this mysterious form of art that is seemingly forbidden to the male species?” I soon found out that it was truly amazing- people were dressed in colorful costumes dancing perfectly with one another as live music was played.

As interesting as it was, my eyelids were too heavy to keep my mind in conscious form. The combination of the low lights and beautiful music just put me right to sleep. So, now you are asking yourself, “why should I read the rest of this article? This guy slept through half of the ballet!”

Our girls looking beautiful, as always, at the Kremlin Palace Theater

Jizel is a woman who had two boyfriends, a prince and some other guy, could not choose between them so she died of a broken heart. Sounds like a good time right?

The first act was vivid and lively, the second was dreary and dark though.  The scenery which was once a small town was rearranged into a lonesome graveyard.  It began with the hunter finding and weeping at the grave of Jizel, and greave stricken, throwing himself off the cliff to his fate.  Then the prince filled with guilt and remorse, visits her grave.  He saw a vision of her and they took part in a dance representing the loss both have suffered. The mood was depressing and very dark for any mainstream ballet. 

I was delighted that I went on this trip. I learned that the ballet really isn’t all that bad. If I have another chance, I will see Jezebel again. Maybe this time I will be sure to drink 3 cups of coffee before I take my seat.