Emily Stromquist

(St. Petersburg, ACTR, 2004)

Studying at a school like Penn, there are many tough choices students have to make and unfortunately, many experiences students have toforego in order to timely achieve their academic goals. Going to Russia should not fall under either of these categories, it was the most thrilling part of my Penn experience. There is no way to understand Russia's trajectory of change and development without studying in the country and getting a sense of the Russian spirit. How can you understand Peter the Great, Dostoevsky or Bulgakov, Gorbachev or Putin if you don't spend time at Peterhof and the Hermitage, the legendary Senaiya Ploshad of Petersburg, the train stations, and the Kremlin?

The best part of my time in Russia was without a doubt my host family. They showed so much interest in my studies, were delighted to partake in late night conversations over tea, and were more than happy to share their stories living in Russia from the days of Stalin to Putin. This being said, every aspect of being abroad - classes, the arts, nightlife, the banya - all introduced me to a number of people and experiences that helped elucidate the Russian mystique.

Finally, the people you meet studying abroad are people that remain vital to your future - they share your interests, work at jobs in a professional field that might be of interest to you, and provide you
with an endless network of contacts. I remain close with many of my friends from abroad and seem to cross paths with them in every city and country. For any student considering a semester or year abroad in Russia, I advise them to consider no longer. The Penn faculty offers an amazing introduction to Russian history, literature, culture, and politics. Northeast Philadelphia may offer you a little taste of mini-Russia. But nothing will allow you to appreciate such a fascinating and inspiring country except an extended visit to the motherland.