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MCC Students Back from Russian Exchange Program

Six Middlesex students recently spent two weeks in Russia, participating in the college’s International Student Fellowship Program to Russia. The trip was part of an ongoing exchange program between MCC and Bryansk State Technical University. BSTU students visited Middlesex in June.

MCC students Leah Alloway (Lowell), Andres Arzapalo, (Lawrence), Jose Disla (Lawrence), Jamie Joshi (Cambridge), Tara Kirby (Nashua, NH) and Danielle Milagre- Pimenta (Acton) with advisor Aimee Rusman (Westford), director of MCC’s TRIO Program for Student Achievement, visited the region around Bryansk, a city of 400,000, located six hours southwest of Moscow. They toured museums, a crystal factory, poet Feodor Tyutchev's estate, and Tolstoy Park. They stayed at a summer camp in Sosnova and also enjoyed several other excursions around Moscow. The students prepared for the trip through a series of lectures on the history and culture of Russia.

Posted: Friday, August 28, 2009 11:45 AM by MCC Blog Admin

Comments

Leah Alloway said:

I am so thankful to have been chosen for this fellowship. I can truly say that it was one of the most amazing experiences.

# September 1, 2009 11:10 PM

Jamie Joshi said:

Our trip to Russia was simply amazing and one that will never be forgotten. As the first group of students to be a part of the Fellowship Program to Russia, we did not know what to expect to find. To our surprise, we all made lasting friendships with many Russian students, as well as each other.

To the MCC Foundation who sponsored this course, thank you so much for this truly unique educational experience, and a trip of a lifetime!

# September 2, 2009 1:25 PM

Pat Demaras said:

I would like to thank the MCC students and staff who participated in this year's Russia Fellowship for their outstanding contributions. They were excellent representatives of the college and the United States. I hope that the relationship between MCC and BSTU continues to flourish and grow for many years to come.

# September 2, 2009 8:45 PM

Tara Kirby said:

The Russian Fellowship was great! We learned a lot about Russian history and culture. It was wonderful that me got to meet the students from Russia before we traveled there. They made us feel very welcomed.

When I applied to the Fellowship I did not know any of the students I was traveling with. We very quickly became good friends and a close group. We were able to count on each other.

I mostly enjoyed being at the summer camp with the Russian students. They are all very friendly, fun and talented. It was also a great place to relax.

It was very interesting to see the differences between us and the Russians, (such as their love for mayo...even on pizza or how their library works). But we found much that we had in common as well.

I wish to thank all at MCC and BSTU that put this Fellowship together and allowed us to create friendships with such great people. I look forward to see the relationship between the two schools grow.

I left a piece of my heart in Russia....but came back with a part of Russia in my soul.

# September 3, 2009 9:26 AM

Hayat Weiss said:

Thanks to the International Program and to the Middlesex Foundation, our students have the opportunity to expand their horizons and experience other cultures. In the process, they gain a unique perspective on their own culture and develop insight into their own values. The program gives students the chance to be global citizens. How exciting! This is education at its best! Connecting cultures, hearts, minds and souls...

Thanks to students' entries in this blog, the Middlesex community gets a glimpse into this wonderful and enriching experience.

# September 4, 2009 11:25 AM