Many questions arose in the weeks before leaving for Russia, as friends and family members tried to process the stories on the nightly news. Was I still going? Would they cancel the program? Would they change the itinerary? Was I scared? I remained confident until I received a phone call from Jared at IREX, less than twenty four hours before my scheduled departure. Since I was in the middle of a chemistry lab, it was about an hour before I could return the call… an hour of worrying that things were cancelled. The news turned out to be a “last minute” change in my host school assignment. Although this was a bit unnerving, I was relieved to find out that otherwise, all was a “go”.
No doubt, this was an interesting time to visit Russia. Our first official activity in Moscow was a briefing at the US embassy. I felt the growing intensity of our awesome responsibility and opportunity to be the face of America to those we were about to meet.
The Group:
No doubt, this was an interesting time to visit Russia. Our first official activity in Moscow was a briefing at the US embassy. I felt the growing intensity of our awesome responsibility and opportunity to be the face of America to those we were about to meet.
The Group:
Despite the rapidly cooling climate among our countries, I spent two weeks basking in the warmth of the welcome and hospitality of the Russian people. This is huge and demonstrates the value that exchange programs have in our world. When I think of "Russians”, the nightly news reports will not be first on my mind. I will be thinking of the many new friends I have. Hopefully, they will be doing the same. And that makes all the difference.
I extend thanks to the US Department of State, IREX, the TGC fellows of my travel cohort, the many educators and students I met in Moscow and Tambov, the educators, students, and staff of the Michurinsk Lyceum, the many other people we met in Michurinsk, and most especially my host teacher, Yaroslava. Had there been any observers at the train station when Cyndi, John, and I (TGC teachers) arrived in Michurinsk, Russia, they would have thought we were greeted by a family member who had been missing us terribly! Observers to the tears shed as we left a week later would have assumed the same relationship. A week is not a very long time and the total two weeks in Russia were not long either, and yet, it was long enough to forge strong connections. None of them were any stronger than those with our host teacher, Yaroslava. She welcomed us into her school, her home, and her life. I am truly grateful for her generosity in sharing her students and family with us.
So....... За Дружбу ("za druzhbu") - - for friendship
I extend thanks to the US Department of State, IREX, the TGC fellows of my travel cohort, the many educators and students I met in Moscow and Tambov, the educators, students, and staff of the Michurinsk Lyceum, the many other people we met in Michurinsk, and most especially my host teacher, Yaroslava. Had there been any observers at the train station when Cyndi, John, and I (TGC teachers) arrived in Michurinsk, Russia, they would have thought we were greeted by a family member who had been missing us terribly! Observers to the tears shed as we left a week later would have assumed the same relationship. A week is not a very long time and the total two weeks in Russia were not long either, and yet, it was long enough to forge strong connections. None of them were any stronger than those with our host teacher, Yaroslava. She welcomed us into her school, her home, and her life. I am truly grateful for her generosity in sharing her students and family with us.
So....... За Дружбу ("za druzhbu") - - for friendship