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| 01.09.2006
Welcome from SRAS!
The School of Russian and Asian Studies welcomes you to a new school year! May this year be successful academically, professionally, and personally for each of you!
The SRAS newsletter focuses on delivering information about today's Russia, to help make today's Russian culture and language come alive for students who are far away in America or other countries. In this larger, back-to-school edition, we've concentrated on some of the darker and lighter sides of life in Russia. From music and high school, to the state of civil society and those with AIDS, we've covered lots of bases here. You will also find info about publishing, scholarships, and our new Short-Term RSL program! |
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News: Fifteen Years of Freedom?
The past month has been a busy one for news about Russia. We've tried to give a brief encapsulation of the most important occurrences here. We haven't purposefully tried to focus on the bad news, but it does seem that is what has prevailed this month.
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The Library: Popular Russian Bands
 One of the most common questions we receive from students arriving in Russia is: "What music is popular in Russia?" Given the popularity of the subject, and that nearly everyone loves music, we thought a full Library entry was in order to answer the question! Here, you'll find information about everything from pop to classic late-soviet rock to Russian rap and hip-hop - each with a streaming audio sample and link on where to buy it from a distributor in America!
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Business: Personal Reflections on Starting a Business in Russia
Richard Golob is the American grandson of immigrants from Minsk, Belorussia. He has since reconnected with the land of his heritage and is now CEO and President of his own software services company, known as GGA, which has offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts and St. Petersburg, Russia. GGA is one of several firms driving one of the world's fastest growing industries - that of software services outsourcing, and one in which Russia is a major player. He contributed the following article to our newsletter. It originally appeared in the book Buyer's Guide to the Russian IT Outsourcing Industry. Reprinted with permission. |
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Olga's Blog: High School in Modern Russia
 Olga Dmitraschenko is an incoming freshman to Moscow State University and a recent part-time addition to our staff. One of her primary duties will be "Olga's Blog," a new service from SRAS. Two to three times per month, a new interactive Russian lesson will be featured on our site (see "Resources," left). Written by a native Russian, the lessons will present the Russian language as it is used today and discuss issues relevant in Russia today. The texts will be glossed for vocabulary, culture, and grammar by SRAS. This first installment details high school in modern Russia.
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Featured University: St. Petersburg State University
St. Petersburg State University has recently added a new two-year master's degree program aimed at foreign students which bestows either an MA in Russian as a Foreign Language or Russian Language and Literature. The accelerated, intensive curriculum offers practical experience in research and teaching RSL. Students may also gain practical experience while at SPbGU in translation, interpreting, and/or English proofreading at the Fedorov Center for Translation Studies, which offers training, internships, and even paid positions! Click here or contact us for more information! |
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Culture: Life with AIDS in Rural Russia: A Photo Essay
 Svetlana Izambaeva is 25 and HIV-positive. She lived in a small city in rural Russia where AIDS is often feared and misunderstood. Those who are sick often hide it, fearing alienation from their family and friends and almost certain perpetual unemployment. Svetlana, however, became an activist, giving press conferences about her illness, lobbying the government for more services, and starting the region's first support group. Since this article was written, she has moved to Moscow to continue her work on a national level. The following photo essay was contributed by Liza Shurik, who works for AIDS Foundation East-West in Moscow and holds degrees in Photojournalism and Russian Studies.
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$9000 for Study Abroad Students!
SRAS Research Grant. Upperclassmen and above in any field of study may apply for this $1000 grant to do research abroad in 2007. Deadline: Sept 15! (more info)
Get Published in Vestnik: The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies. This journal focuses on publishing the best in student research. Undergraduates, graduates, and postgraduates may submit entries on any topic related to Russia or the FSU. Deadline: Sept 15! (more info)
The Gilman Scholarship. The Gilman International Scholarship Program awards up to $5000 to U.S. undergraduates for study abroad. Deadline: Sept 26! (more info)
The Critical Need Language Scholarship. It's here! The US government's new program to encourage foreign language study has arrived, offering scholarships of up to $3000. Deadline: Sept 26! (more info)
SRAS Language Exploration Grant. US or EU students with more than two semesters of language study are eligible for $500 to study abroad with SRAS. Deadline: Nov 15 (more info) |
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New! Study Russian on Short Term Programs!
SRAS now offers short-term courses of as little as 20 hours. These are intended mostly for tourists (which can include college students) who are coming to Moscow for short periods and would like to turn their time into a true educational experience. These are individual, private courses. They may be taught in the teacher's home, or at your hostel or serviced apartment. Courses may also take the form of excursions – learn how to order food in restaurants, mail a letter, or order train tickets – and then go do it with your teacher! Subject courses in art, theatre, politics, and other subjects are also available. See our newly updated RSL page or contact SRAS for more details. |
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Image of the Month: AIDS Public Service Announcements in Russia
 President Vladimir Putin recently boosted the amount of federal spending for AIDS education and prevention in Russia. The new funds are being spent on, among other things, a new series of television public service announcements that center on the slogan "Кого это касается?" (Who does it touch/concern?). Yet the commercials do very little to describe how the virus is actually transmitted or to dispel the stigmas that surround the disease. This month's image looks closer at the issue.
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Language: Клевая музыка - Cool Tunes
Much of Russia's modern music language is related to English. For example, the names of most genres can be directly translated: Рок, Рэп, Джаз, Хип-хоп, and even Функ and "Емо-музыка." Technical terms are also very closely related (having both come from Latin roots): arrangement (аранжировка), harmony (гармония), melody (мелодия), and even half note (половинная нота). Of course, many of these words are not in common usage and many are technical terms that are really only known to those who follow and study music.
Among young people, a set of slang words have evolved to describe music they like:
Драйвовая - Energetic music (from the English "Drive.")
Зажигательная - Music that makes one feel good (from the Russian "Зажигать" - to light on fire)
Взрывная - "Mind-blowing" (from the Russian "Взрывать" - to blow up)
Чумовая - Crazy music (from the Russian "Чума" - plague or pestilence)
Грузон - "Downer" music (from the Russian "Грустить" - to be sad; also similar to "Грузить" - to load upon.) |
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How are we doing?
What single step would most improve the SRAS newsletter?
Write to: jwilson@sras.org |
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