Greetings from sunny Moscow! As our first week in Russia draws to an close, I’d like to share a few words about what this year’s NSLI-Y Russia students have been up to.
Last week the students gathered for a pre-departure orientation. Here are some photos from this event.
American Cultural Exchange Service National Security Language Initiative for Youth Pre-Departure Orientation. Thank goodness for acronyms!
The Russia table. Upon their arrival, students received NSLI-Y name tags, water bottles, handbooks, and t-shirts. Students enjoyed meeting and visiting with other program participants that afternoon.
A friendly game of Family Feud on Thursday evening after a full day of orientation.
On Friday morning, our group left for Dulles to fly to Amsterdam and then on to Moscow. Several of the students stayed up late the night before but caught up on rest in the lobby while waiting for the shuttle to the airport.
Lining up.
NSLI-Y 2019. Ready to leave on our big adventure!
While waiting to depart for Amsterdam, Elizabeth, Erin, Jordan, and Xavier point to the Russian for “Welcome” on this sign with an image of St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background
When we arrived in Moscow on Saturday evening, we were met at the airport by representatives of the university, who drove students to their new homes. Students spent Sunday exploring Moscow with their host families. First thing Monday morning, students gathered at the university for their first day of class.
Students split their time between two teachers. Here, Galina explains how to express possession in Russian.
Zoe, Darius, Megan, Katie, Erin, Taina, and Jordan in class with Galina.
Nataliya helps students learn the days of the week.
Ava, Elizabeth, Jake, Andrea, Xavier, Gabriella, and Marilyn take notes on the days of the week.
On Wednesday, an undergraduate student studying Russian in Moscow met with the students to teach them a song in Russian. Here, students practice the lyrics with their partners.
Erin and Katie practice printing and writing vocabulary words in Russian.
On Thursday, students met with their peer language partners. They reviewed vocabulary for talking about themselves, their families, and their hobbies. They also enjoyed singing the song they had learned on Tuesday.
Below are photos of the students enjoying time with their host families and new friends this week, as well as a few sights in Moscow.
Xavier shows his host father the location of New York on a map of the United States.
Marilyn and her host mother.
We look forward to more adventures next week! Check in then to see more photos.