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| 03.10.2005
Welcome from SRAS!
SRAS is continuing to expand and improve its offerings. This month, we are announcing two new programs, both with a wide variety of classes and available credit!
Russian Studies Semester is designed for the international studies student seeking the coursework and cultural experience to build a professional career related to Russia and the NIS. History, current events, culture and the arts, economy, and politics, plus a range of electives! - Spring of 2006 - More info
The Arts in Russia is a practical program for those interested in art history and/or creating studio art. Students will study original masterpieces inside the Hermitage, discussing and maybe even restoring them! Students will also have the unique opportunity to create art within the Hermitage. - Summer 2006 - More info
Vestnik, the Journal of Russian and Asian Studies, is also still accepting contributions. More info |
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Russian News: Putin and Catherine
This month has been fairly dry for Russian news; no one story really stood out. While coverage of US disasters was present, it was not given precedence and largely emphasized the lawlessness and described the relief efforts as inefficient.
There was also a noticeable peak in appearances of Vladimir Putin, whether abroad in New York or at home leading a three-hour live television "dialogue," Russian news has obviously striven to show the president as a strong and caring leader with international clout. Most Russians we spoke with indicated that this was in early preparation for the 2007 elections: either Putin will campaign for a chosen successor or the constitution may well be amended in a "popular movement" to allow Putin a third term. However, most also emphasized that no one knows the direction Russian politics will take next. |
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Russian Business: Publishing about Russia
Paul Richardson ran one of the first joint ventures inside Russia to turn a profit. He has since founded Russian Information Services (RIS), which publishes books, web pages, maps, and Russian Life magazine. The company also sponsors events and supports product lines aimed at the discriminating consumer who appreciates all things Russian. Find out more about Paul and RIS in our "Interviews and Personalities" section. |
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Russian Culture: Culture Shock and its Benifits
An applicant for SRAS’s new internships has recently submitted a very interesting text detailing her experience in St. Petersburg. Her text also, we think, quite effectively details the phases of culture shock that many students go through, as well as argues why students should go through them. We have included her story as part of our series of articles. |
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Featured University: MIRBIS
MIRBIS is the most competitively priced MBA in Russia holding international accreditation from the Association of MBAs. For those students hoping to work internationally or for international companies, a degree with this accreditation is essential. MIRBIS is the recognized leader in MBA programs in Russia, and thus provides the opportunity to make excellent business contacts within the Russian market while still in school. Graduates from MIRBIS now work in such places as the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, Gasprom, Johnson&Johnson, TetraPark, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Independent Media, Hewlett Packard, Hitachi, Nestle Foods, Ross-Oil, Procter&Gamble, and many others. |
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Travel - Get Out of Moscow!
To help our students see more of Russia, SRAS is now developing a well defined list of exciting excursions. Many of these are included in your tuition (that's the cultural program), and if not, we are doing our best to list the prices of everything so you can plan ahead. Find out more about these in our revived and updated travel program pages! |
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Обломы – Bummers
Russian has many phrases that describe disagreeable situations. For example, "сесть в лужу/галошу" literally means "to sit in a puddle/galoshes" and most often describes a situation where one has "slipped up." If one finds one's self between a rock and a hard place in Russia, one can use the phrases "между молотом и наковальней" (between a hammer and an anvil) or "между двух огней" (between two fires). Similarly, "попасть впросак" means "to be in a bind." By the way, trying to use "впросак" outside of this idiom will find you in a bind; it is generally not done.
Along slightly different lines, our favorite phrase that we unearthed was "опростоволоситься" which means to be without a hat. In 18th century Russia, it was very shameful to be seen in public without a hat (остаться с простыми волосами), and this phrase, while a bit old fashioned now, is still used with the meaning of "to mess up" or "to be caught with one’s pants down!" |
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