I have many things to catch up on here, so I will try to make some headway today.
At the end of last week, as I was sitting at my desk, a woman came in the International Office, introduced herself as Victoria Ufaeva, a Professor in the English department at the Institute. She asked me if I'd like to have some tea in their office and I gladly accepted. This was a very pleasant surprise. Victoria speaks perfect English and like almost everyone here who does, sometimes apologizes for missing a word or two in English. I always try to explain how it is I who should apologize---I am constantly confused and lost with regard to language here. I try to study and practice, but I feel terrible about not being able to communicate in their native language.I wish I could show them all more respect by speaking in passable Russian.
Anyway, I sit down at the table in their office. She makes tea for me, offers me some delicious pastries, and presents me with a wonderfully tasty Russian chocolate bar with almonds. This department has great interest in allowing me to attend some classes with their students. Victoria teaches many classes with business subjects as the basis for learning English and invited me to attend classes where they talk about the American Political System as well as the structure of higher education. They think that talking to me will be a good experience for their students----I happily accepted.. So next Friday I think I will get to attend a couple of English Language classes and converse.
We end up having close to a 2 hour conversation. She knows a lot about business classes---marketing, HR Mgmt, SWOT analysis. This is pretty cool. She has many questions for me and we talk about my methods for teaching business planning and entrepreneurship. We talk about the future of our two countries. I am always optimistic in these types of discussions. I think that Russia has the potential to be an economic powerhouse in terms of trade with the rest of the world. It is a different and strange place at times, but it has huge potential advantages. People here are tough, well educated, they have great conceptual skills, and are by nature, problem solvers. Infrastructure here is adequate---especially for a place with this kind of weather! I think very soon our two countries are going to be doing some things that surprise the world. If American capital begins to come in here in a significant way(and vice versa), there are going to a be a lot of beneficiaries. I already have these interesting brainstorming discussions with Russians about business opportunities---I love this kind of thing.Anyway, it is always nice to feel as if you are useful and Victoria has done this. I am excited by the various ideas she has for me in her department.
I do eventually go back to the International Office where my ladies are, where my "home" is......I cannot describe for you how kind and thoughtful Natalia, Masha, Valia, and Yulia are.These women could run an entire college on their own.
Friday, as I am logging in to my computer, I look up and they are all standing in front of my desk. Sunday is "Man's Day" in Russia. From what I can tell it is originally a day to celebrate the sacrifices that military men and others in service have done for the country. They've bought me a plant for my apartment----something they call a "Dollar Tree". I can't tell you how badly I have wanted and needed a plant for my apartment. And they got me one for "Man's Day"! Then today, I come in and there is a little picture frame on my desk, from all of them----they've noticed that Janet's picture is paper clipped to a book on my desk so I can see her---and have gotten me something better to put her picture in. Pictures to follow. I can't describe how kind they are to me.
At the end of last week, as I was sitting at my desk, a woman came in the International Office, introduced herself as Victoria Ufaeva, a Professor in the English department at the Institute. She asked me if I'd like to have some tea in their office and I gladly accepted. This was a very pleasant surprise. Victoria speaks perfect English and like almost everyone here who does, sometimes apologizes for missing a word or two in English. I always try to explain how it is I who should apologize---I am constantly confused and lost with regard to language here. I try to study and practice, but I feel terrible about not being able to communicate in their native language.I wish I could show them all more respect by speaking in passable Russian.
Anyway, I sit down at the table in their office. She makes tea for me, offers me some delicious pastries, and presents me with a wonderfully tasty Russian chocolate bar with almonds. This department has great interest in allowing me to attend some classes with their students. Victoria teaches many classes with business subjects as the basis for learning English and invited me to attend classes where they talk about the American Political System as well as the structure of higher education. They think that talking to me will be a good experience for their students----I happily accepted.. So next Friday I think I will get to attend a couple of English Language classes and converse.
We end up having close to a 2 hour conversation. She knows a lot about business classes---marketing, HR Mgmt, SWOT analysis. This is pretty cool. She has many questions for me and we talk about my methods for teaching business planning and entrepreneurship. We talk about the future of our two countries. I am always optimistic in these types of discussions. I think that Russia has the potential to be an economic powerhouse in terms of trade with the rest of the world. It is a different and strange place at times, but it has huge potential advantages. People here are tough, well educated, they have great conceptual skills, and are by nature, problem solvers. Infrastructure here is adequate---especially for a place with this kind of weather! I think very soon our two countries are going to be doing some things that surprise the world. If American capital begins to come in here in a significant way(and vice versa), there are going to a be a lot of beneficiaries. I already have these interesting brainstorming discussions with Russians about business opportunities---I love this kind of thing.Anyway, it is always nice to feel as if you are useful and Victoria has done this. I am excited by the various ideas she has for me in her department.
I do eventually go back to the International Office where my ladies are, where my "home" is......I cannot describe for you how kind and thoughtful Natalia, Masha, Valia, and Yulia are.These women could run an entire college on their own.
Friday, as I am logging in to my computer, I look up and they are all standing in front of my desk. Sunday is "Man's Day" in Russia. From what I can tell it is originally a day to celebrate the sacrifices that military men and others in service have done for the country. They've bought me a plant for my apartment----something they call a "Dollar Tree". I can't tell you how badly I have wanted and needed a plant for my apartment. And they got me one for "Man's Day"! Then today, I come in and there is a little picture frame on my desk, from all of them----they've noticed that Janet's picture is paper clipped to a book on my desk so I can see her---and have gotten me something better to put her picture in. Pictures to follow. I can't describe how kind they are to me.
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