Conferences

In connection with the “Russian Media” course offered at RSUH, participants of Dickinson-in-Moscow program conduct research on various issues of contemporary Russian society. They present their final projects at the annual International Student Conference organized by the by the university. These conferences take place in different RSUH affiliations located in Samara, Saratov, Ulan-Ude, Great Novgorod and other Russian cities. Participation in the exchange of ideas along with exposure to various other cultures provides for a unique cultural and linguistic opportunity for Dickinson students studying in Moscow. Here are two examples of such conferences:

On December 11, 2009 RSUH hosted the International Students Conference  entitled “Literature and the Arts in the Modern World." Amongst other international students from Spain, Germany, Japan, USA, England and France, Dickinson Students expressed their opinions on this topic in Russian. The students shared their own personal understandings and definitions of Literature and Art, discussed its influence in the modern world and explored its role in society. Kara Elder '11 said, "Participating in the conference added another level to my world-engaging Dickinson experience. It was interesting to hear what people from different countries and cultures think about art and literature in the modern world, and even more engaging because we all came together from different backgrounds and spoke in Russian about such a diverse topic. I will definitely never forget this." Read more  about the conference (in Russian).

        

On December 15, 2006, Dickinson students journeyed by overnight train to the central Russian city of Samara to attend an International Student Conference on the impact of globalization on the modern world. Each student prepared a speech and delivered it in Russian before a group of students from Russia, Korea, Germany, Austria, Japan, and other countries. A brief question-and-answer session followed each presentation during which students had the opportunity to explain and defend their positions. Dickinson students prepared and discussed topics as wide-ranging as the effects of a one-world language, the global drug trade, and cultural changes in a global era. After the conference, Dickinson students spent the evening with local families. While in Samara, the students also learned about the history of the city, which was closed to outsiders during Soviet times because it was the industrial center of the Soviet space program. The students toured the city and visited the 111-foot deep bunker built in 1941 to protect Stalin and the Soviet leadership from the invading German army. Evan Sparling ’08 said, “I feel that this trip to Samara was instrumental in allowing me to engage the world because it enabled me to connect with students from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds in order to discuss issues critical to the world today.”