I haven't started packing yet and I have to be at the airport at 10am tomorrow : )
Ahem.

Holy shit. I have three nights left. I'm panicking because I feel so serene. I should be more worried about packing and I still haven't done the power of attorney thing yet and…a bunch of other stuff. Darn.

It's warmer in St. Petersburg right now.

"Stand as far as possible from Gypsies, including the children." - Website on St. Petersburg, Russia.

"AIDS Testing. Russia requires submission of an appropriate HIV-negative certificate at the time of applying for a visa in case of an intended stay of 3 months or longer. Positive test results for HIV could be grounds for expulsion from the country. All travelers intending to reside in Russia are strongly advised to have the requisite tests performed in the United States, as the testing conditions in the region tend to be very unsanitary and could pose a hazard to your health."

We're have to get our tests when we get there....I'm not worried...

Classes in Russia

CIEE Required Language Courses

RUSI 1003 RASP/RUSI 1004 RASP
Elementary Russian Conversation I and II
This course focuses on developing spoken language skills. There are three 90-minute meetings per week. Contact hours: 84. Recommended credit: 4 semester/ 6 quarter hours.

RUSI 1005 RASP/RUSI 1006 RASP
Elementary Russian Grammar I and II
Emphasis is placed on learning basic grammatical structures, their use in conversation with simple sentences, basic vocabulary, as well as comprehension. Correct pronunciation is also emphasized. There are three 90-minute meetings per week. Contact hours: 84. Recommended credit: 4 semester/6 quarter hours.

CIEE Required Area Studies Courses

AHIS 3001 RASP
The Arts of St. Petersburg
This course examines St. Petersburg’s rich artistic diversity. The city provides the setting for a discussion of Russian urban visual arts as well as its musical heritage. Lectures provide a historical perspective for the material examined. Assessment is based on class participation, weekly exercises, and exams.
Instructor: Irina Gulyakova

HIST 3001 RASP
Russian History: Perestroikas in Russia from the 9th to the 20th Century
This course covers the restructuring of Russian society during the past millennium. Major transformations of Russian society are discussed including Mongol Invasion; the Birth of Russian Totalitarianism; Peter the Great; Alexander II’s Reforms; October Revolution; Stalin; Gorbachev; and Contemporary Russia. The course is lecture-based and supplemented by readings. Assessment is based on classroom activities, papers, and exams.
Instructor: Sergey Akopov

RAST 3001 RASP
Russian Civilization
The course investigates a series of cultural ideas, compares and contrasts popular concepts of Soviet and Russian civilization and society, and probes some of the underlying assumptions of Russian social behavior. Students are expected to actively participate in an exchange of ideas stemming from readings. Assessment is based on class exercises and a paper.
Instructor: Nina Filippova




Notice the very Russian sounding names...ooohhhh

Did I mail my request for a visa today? I think not...will I tomorrow? Who knows...

I'd really rather not send my passport through the mail.