A typical
ICCS visit to Russia is approximately 10 days in length. Faculty
and graduate students often choose to fly together and a strong
spirit of collegiality develops even as they meet at the airport.
After
a direct flight from Seattle to Moscow, ICCS representatives
are met by their Moscow hosts. Hotel accommodation in Moscow,
such as the Hotel Academischskaya, is simple yet comfortable.
One purpose
of the stay in Moscow includes involvement in educational
programs and conferences with institutions such as Moscow
State Pedagogical University, the International Center for
Human Values, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation,
the Russian Academy of Education, Moscow State University,
the University of the Russian Academy of Education, or the
Institute for Social Science Research.
In addition
to the delegation from SPU, these conferences include distinguished
Russian scholars who are also invited to present papers and
host round table discussions within the parameters of the
conference's theme. These conferences have consistently been
an enjoyable time of sharing ideas, learning, and fellowship.
While
in Moscow, a cultural itinerary is also prepared for the representatives
of ICCS. This includes tours and site visits of popular tourist
attractions such as:
- The
Kremlin and Red Square
- Bolshoi
Ballet
- Pushkin
Museum
- Christ
the Savior Cathedral
- Tolstoy's
Moscow residence
- Novidevichy
Monastery
- Sergei
Passat (the ancient seat of the Orthodox Church)
- GUM
Department Store
- Ismailovsky
Market
- Moscow
Circus
- New
Tretyakov Gallery
Opportunities
to visit local schools and orphanages have also been arranged.
The ICCS
delegation often participates in a second conference elsewhere
in the Russian Federation, such as St. Petersburg, Kursk,
or Shuya. Of course, opportunities for sightseeing take place
in these cities, too. For example, visits in St. Petersburg
included the Hermitage, the summer palace, and St. Isaac's
Cathedral.
Insofar
as the Russian experience will be enriched to the extent that
participants bring some knowledge of Russia and Russian culture
with them, participants are encouraged to do some prior reading
in preparation for the trip. Useful examples include:
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