UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 4, Page 9
September 26, 1991
From Mexico to Russia; Faculty look forward to international sessions

     Why would someone want the responsibility of escorting 30
University students to an unfamiliar country? Wouldn't it make more
sense to go alone, go with a family member or go with an
adventuresome friend?
     Four professors at the University wouldn't have it any other
way.
     Sue Amert and Alex Lehrman are a young husband-and-wife team
who will be taking 35 students with them to St. Petersburg (once
Leningrad) this Winter Session. Amert and Lehrman are both
associate professors of foreign languages and literatures at the
University.
     This will be the couple's first University trip to Russia, and
they describe it as an inexpensive way to teach the students about
Russian culture, literature and language.
     The idea of a Winter Session trip to Russia appealed to them
when they both came to the University in 1989. They decided to
create such a trip because they knew it would be a "mind-expanding
experience for the students."
     The class will be leaving for St. Petersburg Jan. 3 and will
return Feb. 7. Students will take classes and live at the city's
Mining Institute, which is situated on the banks of the Neva River.
     Lehrman is especially excited about this trip because he has
not returned to Russia since 1975, when he immigrated into the
United States. Lehrman said he left the Soviet Union for political
reasons and was reluctant to go back while the communists were in
power.
     He is now looking forward to the trip to see the changes he
has always dreamed about. Lehrman said he is excited for the
students because, as a native Russian, he feels he can offer them
more insight regarding areas to visit as well as what interesting
people they can meet.
     Once in Russia, there are many excursions the couple is
planning. They and the students will visit the Winter Palace of
Western European Art as well as the Russian Museum of Art.
     According to Lehrman and Amert, much Russian architecture is
modeled after the French styles seen in such buildings as the
palace at Versailles. They explained, however, that the Russian
architecture is even grander because they tried to outdo the
French.
     The class will make a few excursions outside of St. Petersburg
to see the architecture. By bus, the students will visit Novgorod,
a Russian city built in the ninth century, and Pskov, which was
built in the eighth century.
     Later in the session, the students will travel by train to
Moscow where they will stay for several days.
     The couple explained that January will be an exciting time to
be in Russia, since Jan. 7 is the Russian Orthodox Christmas, a
major holiday for Russian people. They said they plan to take the
students to see the Russian Orthodox Christmas church services.
     January also is a popular time in Russia for theatre and
orchestra performances since the different groups are back from
summer tours. Students will be attending at least three
performances. Lehrman added that the night clubs are terrific, with
very good rock 'n' roll bands.
     Of course, students also must study while they are abroad, and
in this program they will enroll in two three-credit classes.
Russian language students may take language class, and literature
translation courses will be offered to those who are not fluent in
the Russian language.
     The literature translation course is unusual in that students
will be reading Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky, which is set
in St. Petersburg. The students will be able to trace the footsteps
of the book's main characters by visiting areas in the city that
the book describes.
     All students are required to take a contemporary Russian
course in which they will be lectured by Russian business
professionals and artists, and they will take different excursions
throughout the city.
     Planning a trip to a warmer clime are Ivo Dominguez, associate
professor of languages and literatures, and Mark Huddleston,
associate professor of political science. They will be taking 30
students to Merida, Mexico,.
     Dominguez, who has taught Spanish and Latin at the University
since 1970, said the University has had trips to Mexico City in the
past but, because the Mexican economy was so bad, they were
discontinued for a period of time. Dominguez said, "This will not
be a one-time trip. This trip will be offered regularly from now
on."
     Dominguez said the class will fly to Merida and each student
will stay with a Mexican family. The trips cost will include meals.
     Merida is the largest city in the Yucatan Peninsula. It was
the colonial capital, and students will have the opportunity to
visit many archaeological sites. One place is Chichen Itza, the
ruins of a famous Mayan city, where they will visit a sacred
temple.
     They will visit a cathedral, finished in 1598, and the
government palace which serves as the seat of executive power for
the state. The students also will be able to participate in art and
musical festivals.
     Students will be required to take two three-credit courses
from the Technological Institute and the University of Yucatan.
Choices include courses in Spanish, political science, art and
architecture.
     Dominguez said he decided to get involved with the Winter
Session program because he feels it will be a wonderful cultural
opportunity for his students. He added that Merida has the lowest
crime rate in Mexico and the Mexican people love Americans and will
treat them well.
                                        - Lisa Greiner