The SRAS Newsletter
A Resource for Students, Educators, and Anyone Curious about Russia
Welcome from SRAS!
 This month Russia marks one of its greatest national achievements - the launch of Sputnik. Sputnik was the the world's first man-made satellite. Its launch, and the resulting fears in the West that the USSR might gain the upper-hand in communications and weapons technology and possibly even allow Communism to claim territory in space, prompted the US's focused attempts to place a man (and a flag) on the moon. This mix of science and politics has shaped what everyday life has become today - our rapid development of electronics, plastics, and much more owes a great deal to the funding and scientific curiosity that were sparked by the launch of the (by today's standards) tiny and simple Sputnik. To mark this anniversary, we are focusing on an often-overlooked segment of study abroad - science. As you will read below, science conducts some of the world's best diplomacy and the market for multi-lingual scientists is one that will continue to grow in the coming decades. The value of science to international relations and the value of understanding other cultures and languages to both scientists and diplomats, as you will read below, cannot be overestimated. If you have views or material you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. To subscribe to this free newsletter, send an email with "Subscribe SRAS" in the subject field to jwilson@sras.org. News and Announcements 
Deadline Approaching! The application deadline for SRAS Spring, 2008 Programs is October 15th! This includes applications for SRAS grants and work study programs. Apply today or contact SRAS about possible late application procedures. Visa Alert - The Russian consulate in Washington DC is now requiring HIV tests for all student visas. They had been the only one to up until a month ago did not require them for student visas under 90 days. Traveler Alert - Although Soviet medals are tempting souvenirs, Russian law prohibits their export from Russia. We advise against purchasing them. Work Permits - According to Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service, medical tests from any licenced clinic will now be accepted for those applying for a Russian work permit. New Russian domestic luggage restrictions are now in affect. Restrictions that have been introduced in other countries - against bringing liquids, gels, and aerosols into the cabin of a plane, are now being sporadically enforced in Russia. SRAS Congratulates Anna Weisfeiler, winner of the SRAS Research Grant. Anna will receive 1000 USD to fund her research project in Russia entitled "The Russian War on Terror: A Comparative Study of US and Russian Approaches to Addressing Domestic and Global Terrorism."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Обзоры: Learn About Russia and Eurasia through the News | These news reviews strive to paint an accurate and balanced picture of life in Russia and to deliver information on important events affecting Eurasia that do not receive heavy coverage in the Western news. | | | Russian Foreign Policy
Several official events have been held in preparation for the upcoming G8 meeting in Germany.
Russian Business and Economy
Interested in this subject? Check our home page in a week, or sign up for the USRCCNE newsletter (insert your email in the bottom right of the screen) to receive email updates! | | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Science in Russia and the Soviet Union
This article, by SRAS program director Renee Stillings outlines some of the work by Loren R. Graham, a specialist in the history of Science in Russia and the USSR. Renee also provides an interesting annotated list of major Russian scientists and their discoveries.
NASA in Russia
Mark Bowman combined passions for science, languages, and cultures into a career with NASA. From Russia to Mars
Greg Michael turned several trips and work experience in Russia into a successful career with the European Space Agency's efforts to explore Mars. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russian Archives
This new Library resource is meant to showcase and supplement the growing number of sites that offer access to primary documents about Russian history and information on accessing archives in Russia - even without leaving the US! John Quincy Adams in Russia: A Brief Timeline
John Quincy Adams was America's first ambassador to Russia. This brief timeline was developed by SRAS for the USRCCNE as part of their celebrations of the 200th anniversary of US-Russia Relations. 200 Years of US-Russian Relations: The Road Ahead
American Ambassador to Russia William Burns recently spoke in candid terms about the prospects for US-Russia Relations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kyrgyzstan's Energy Alternatives
Much has been said recently about Russia "energy blackmail" but very little has been said about Kyrgyzstan's precarious political position with energy-rich Uzbekistan. Horseback Trekking in Kyrgyzstan
Margie Marlin participated in SRAS's first ever Kyrgyz Adventure program. We asked her to share her thoughts on the program now that she is safely off the glaciers... The Success of the US Caspian Sea Diplomacy
Steven LeVine discusses oil and politics in the Caspian Sea region in this YouTube clip. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Featured Service: Apartment Search
With Russia's current dearth of hotels, renting an apartment under a short-term contract from a trust-worthy agency can get you a much better location and more comfortable quarters at a lower cost.
Featured University: Moscow State University
Moscow State University can be an ideal choice for students hoping to research in Russia. SRAS's visiting scholar option can offer students individual Russian courses geared to teach specific vocabulary, access to MGU faculty and subject classes, and letters of affiliation (to access Russian archives) from Russia's largest and most respected educational institution. SRAS has many more programs. Click here! The Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant
The Language Exploration Grant for the spring semester of 2008 will be $1500. The deadline to apply is October 16th! Scholarships and Grants for Students and Scholars of Russian Studies
An updated list of all deadlines for current Russia-related scholarship cycles. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  Olga's Blog: Жаркие экзамены
This month, Olga takes us inside the examination sessions of Moscow State University for a lesson in vocabulary and modern youth culture.
SRAS Online Testing Center: Verbs of Motion
The SRAS Online Testing Center now offers a new test - on the troublesome Russian verbs of motion. See our recently updated testing center page or log in directly if you already have an account with us. Image of the Month: Political Ads
This month's images focuses on the campaign efforts of Russia's dominant party, known as "United Russia" and the most famous opposition party in Russia, The Communist Party of the Russian Federation. Please note that this month's image is a jpg file, rather than the usual pdf. If you have problems downloading and printing in the new format, please let us know. Russian Scientists - Русские ученые
Russian scientists (русские ученые), like scientists everywhere, practice the scientific method (научный метод) to acquire knowledge about the world. This method was first applied (был применен) by Arabian scientists more than 1,000 years ago, and has led to many discoveries (открытия) and inventions (изобретения). There are several steps (этапы) to the scientific method including: formulating a hypothesis (формулирование гипотезы), testing the hypothesis (проверка гипотезы) often by performing an experiment (проведение эксперимента), processing the results (обработка результатов), creating a theory (создание теории), and publishing the results (опубликование результатов). There are many Russian scientists whose work has been recognized all over the world, such as Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev (Дмитрий Иванович Менделеев), who, in the mid 1800's, created the periodic table of elements (периодическая таблица элементов). Another important scientist was Alexander Stepanovich Popov (Александр Степанович Попов), a Russian physicist (физик) who, in 1895, was the first to demonstrate (демонстрировать) the practical application of electromagnetic (radio) waves (электромагнитные (радио) волны). Yet another celebrated Russian scientist is Sergey Korolyov (Серге́й Павлович Королев), who was the lead the Soviet space program (космическая программа) and designed missiles during the cold war. Under his leadership the Soviets would be the first to launch a satellite (спутник) and the first to conduct a manned space flight (пилотируемый полет в космосе). Russian space technology is still used by other countries, including the US, to launch satellites and carry cargo into space. Russia's technology and techniques are known for being reliable (надежные) and relatively inexpensive (относительно недорогие). For these reasons and more, Russian is the second most popular language (второй по популярности язык) spoken in space. In contemporary time, Russian scientists have been known primarily for their contributions to physics (физика) and information technologies (информационные технологии), and several have been awarded the Nobel Prize (были награждены Нобелевской премией) for the achievements (достижения) in such fields (области) as superconductors (сверхпроводники) and semiconductors (полупроводники). Currently, Russian scientists receive support for their research from grants (гранты), companies' R&D departments (научно-исследовательские и опытно-конструкторские работы), and - though less commonly - through Russian military (industry) contacts (контракты с оборонной отраслью). Many are also beginning to find employment with technology-specific companies that are opening in Russia's new technology parks (технопарки), which have been developed with funds from the Russian government and given special tax status in an effort to diversify Russia's economy and better harness Russia's passion for science and invention. | 
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