Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Tuesday 1/28
I had a meeting today with the economics department of the Institute. Here is how it took place....
I sat at the front of a medium sized lecture classroom in front of about 20 faculty. Room was similar to LW 118, I sat in the front with a nametag with the indefatiguable Masha as interpreter, with Valia taking notes, and Natalia of course directing things.
I began with a simple "здравствуйте!" or hello and hoped that I did not butcher the pronunciation too badly. despite several months of studying this language I am woefully deficient in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. I introduced my self incorrectly, nerves and all, proceeded to tell them where I taught, and briefly mentioned my sojourn as the owner of the infamous Dingo bar in Albuquerque, NM. Apparently rcounting this does not add prestige in Russia---though I am trying to burnish my entrepreneurial chops----and there was a quick question regarding the seaminess of such an endeavor. I quickly assured them that it was a live music club, blues, jazz, rock, contry and such and that seemed to reassure folks that I was not a gangster or pimp.
I asked if anyone would like to ask me any questions to start things off and I got some good old fashioned silence. Communication in an academic setting here requires a bit of speechmaking to begin---however I bucked this trend again by stating that I would instead ask them some questions. I promptly began to request views on such things as bitcoins, Ukraine trade policy, Austrian vs. Keynsian economics and so forth. There were some very interested participants, some not so intrigued, and by the tone of some responses some irritation at my introducing politics. Natalia was a very good moderator and we soon got to the discussion of how things worked logistically(schedules, hours, costs and such of a community college). They were VERY curious about these details and I am not sure I explained things well.
I also stated my goal of inter institutional cooperation---professor swaps, student travel and so forth. This was met with a great deal of interest on the part of the crowd. I think we have a number of candidates for some guest teaching lectures at NVCC. How I manage to teach in the next few weeks will likely have some bearing upon whether any of my colleagues get the opportunity to come here and teach......Anyone game? It is -26 F today at 11 am. Brisk. Saps your will. Dulls the mind. Apparently it will get worse.
After the meeting, several of the Economics department higher ups met with Natalia(Dr. Bobarykina) and I whereupon some initiatives were launched regarding my march teaching load and so forth. I shall share those discussions later---I must now continue to prepare for my role at the local government conference today where I will speak briefly on the American dynamic between local government and business/citizen interests.
Apparently I will be on local TV for a brief spell. I shall try to be a good NVCC rep here and not cause any inadvertent international uproars. I'm a bit nervous but will soldier ahead---these things are not my strong suit---but i am here for some personal growth as well.....так.....
I had a meeting today with the economics department of the Institute. Here is how it took place....
I sat at the front of a medium sized lecture classroom in front of about 20 faculty. Room was similar to LW 118, I sat in the front with a nametag with the indefatiguable Masha as interpreter, with Valia taking notes, and Natalia of course directing things.
I began with a simple "здравствуйте!" or hello and hoped that I did not butcher the pronunciation too badly. despite several months of studying this language I am woefully deficient in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. I introduced my self incorrectly, nerves and all, proceeded to tell them where I taught, and briefly mentioned my sojourn as the owner of the infamous Dingo bar in Albuquerque, NM. Apparently rcounting this does not add prestige in Russia---though I am trying to burnish my entrepreneurial chops----and there was a quick question regarding the seaminess of such an endeavor. I quickly assured them that it was a live music club, blues, jazz, rock, contry and such and that seemed to reassure folks that I was not a gangster or pimp.
I asked if anyone would like to ask me any questions to start things off and I got some good old fashioned silence. Communication in an academic setting here requires a bit of speechmaking to begin---however I bucked this trend again by stating that I would instead ask them some questions. I promptly began to request views on such things as bitcoins, Ukraine trade policy, Austrian vs. Keynsian economics and so forth. There were some very interested participants, some not so intrigued, and by the tone of some responses some irritation at my introducing politics. Natalia was a very good moderator and we soon got to the discussion of how things worked logistically(schedules, hours, costs and such of a community college). They were VERY curious about these details and I am not sure I explained things well.
I also stated my goal of inter institutional cooperation---professor swaps, student travel and so forth. This was met with a great deal of interest on the part of the crowd. I think we have a number of candidates for some guest teaching lectures at NVCC. How I manage to teach in the next few weeks will likely have some bearing upon whether any of my colleagues get the opportunity to come here and teach......Anyone game? It is -26 F today at 11 am. Brisk. Saps your will. Dulls the mind. Apparently it will get worse.
After the meeting, several of the Economics department higher ups met with Natalia(Dr. Bobarykina) and I whereupon some initiatives were launched regarding my march teaching load and so forth. I shall share those discussions later---I must now continue to prepare for my role at the local government conference today where I will speak briefly on the American dynamic between local government and business/citizen interests.
Apparently I will be on local TV for a brief spell. I shall try to be a good NVCC rep here and not cause any inadvertent international uproars. I'm a bit nervous but will soldier ahead---these things are not my strong suit---but i am here for some personal growth as well.....так.....
Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday 1/27
I just found out that I will meet with the members of the Department of Economics tomorrow at 11am. ECO colleagues, is there anything you'd like me to bring up? anybody else want to ask a Russian economist any questions....I'd be happy to report the responses!
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