Through My Eyes, In My Words:

The New Russia and the Old: Russia and Latvia

Taught by Vera Brusentsev, visiting assistant professor of economics and business, and Valeria Sajez, visiting part-time instructor in foreign languages and literatures

Mike Kaczmarczik of Elkins Park, Pa., is a physics major. He's a member of the board of LEAP, Lafayette Environmental Awareness and Protection, and co-chairs its outdoor adventure committee. He's also a member of CHILL, Creating a Healthy, Interesting, Livable Lafayette.

Over this year's interim break, 20 of us had the opportunity to be immersed in culture, history, economics, and social issues of the Russian Federation and Latvia. As we maneuvered through Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Latvia, the words and pictures of textbooks came to life before our eyes.

Our first stop was Russia's capital city, Moscow. This vibrant mega-metropolis was absolutely spectacular. The Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed greeted us each time we walked through Red Square. We had guided tours of the Kremlin, Tretyakov Gallery, and KGB museum. One of the highlights of our visit in Moscow was our evening at the Bolshoi Theater to see a performance of The Nutcracker. The New Year's celebration on Red Square was definitely another highlight of the trip. Surrounded by hundreds of other people, we watched the fireworks explode above St. Basil's.

After an overnight train ride, we reached the "Venice of the North," Saint Petersburg. Here we visited the Peter and Paul Fortress, where the daily firing of the cannon at noon surprised everybody. The Winter Palace housed part of the most stunning exhibit in all of Russia, the Hermitage museum. Aside from the paintings by Renoir, Matisse, Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh and many others, the construction of the floors, ceilings, and doors throughout the Hermitage was worth the trip.

The trip contained two university visits. The first was to Saint Petersburg State University, and the other to the University of Latvia in Riga. In both cases we learned about the economic history of the respective countries as well as the current economic situations and problems they are dealing with. We also had the opportunity to meet some students and talk to them about the differences between higher education in the United States and the former Soviet Union.

Overall, the trip was a great success in my eyes. We were immersed in Russian history and culture, which allowed a unique learning experience that became so much more than just words in a textbook.