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Editor's note: The following article is a translation of an article that appeared in the Mari El Pravda on July 8, 2009.
Last night U.S. President Barak Obama arrived on a formal visit to the Russian Federation. The two countries’ peoples expect the coming negotiations to get the Russian-American relations moving forward.
We are used to measuring the intensity of relations between the two superpowers by the state of things in political, economic and military spheres. Changes in these fields became a necessity long ago. But Russia is not solely the Kremlin, and the USA stretches far beyond the White House.
To provide maintenance and development of good relations between Russia and the U.S., average people of the two countries, as well as politicians and diplomats, should carry on an honest dialogue.
It’s symbolic that a few weeks before President Obama’s arrival, professor of the UGA Gwynn Powell came to Russia.
It’s her fifth visit to our land, and it’s the fifth time that she celebrates one of the main American holidays – Independence Day – in the camp “Lesnaya Skazka”.
Gwynn brings her students to work in Mari El children’s summer camps. This year Mari El is hosting the highest number of guests – 11 students and 2 professors. What attracts Americans in Russia and in our republic?
I think, replied professor Gwynn Powell, Russia is still an unknown country for our students. We know more of the USSR than of modern Russia. So, our trip to Russia is a certain challenge to ourselves.
UGA graduate students in recreation and leisure studies pose for a photo in Mari El, a province in Russia, during the 2009 Study Abroad program.
When US students first hear about the possibility of working in a Russian summer camp, they ask: “What? Why should I go to Russia?” I admit, it’s often a challenge for me to persuade students’ parents to allow their children go to Russia. The older generation has more fears about your country than the younger one.
It could have been much easier for me to take my students to England or Mexico, but that wouldn’t have given them such a great chance to expand their idea of Russia, of the whole world… and of themselves. Here in Russia they get rid of numerous stereotypes; the friendly camp atmosphere enables them to feel confident and safe.
In addition, Russia is the world leader of the camp movement. You have more children’s camps than any other country, and the managing structure has been proved by years. It is very interesting to establish partnership relations with Russian camps.
Why do you come to the same place year after year?
There are certain advantages in it. During our first year in Lesnaya Skazka we felt literally lost and tried to figure out what was going around and how different philosophies of work with children were being realized in the camp. Now we understand much more. I make sure that our students, while being in the USA, become aware of some characteristic features of the Russian camp programs. This helps them adapt and get involved in the camp life sooner, i.e. get into contact with Russia kids and counselors, feel more confident.
How long do you intend to collaborate with Mari El camps?
When I initiated the program, I planned it for 5 years. Now I simply cannot imagine my summer without part of it spent in Mari El. I would like to come here many more times. The longer we collaborate, the more successful our partnership is. Throughout the year, as soon as I see or learn something interesting, I get happy: “Oh! I can implement this in Russia!” And I accumulate ideas for next summer. I think I myself have learned more about my own country thanks to the many times I told Russian kids about America.
It should be noted, that this collaboration is mutually beneficial. This year the second – “American” – session has been determined by the theme “Two cultures – one world”. The theme served as a certain bridge to connect the two nations. We really have much in common: both the nations have suffered form wars and crises, each having coped with the disasters it its own ways.
During one of morning activities camp counselors drew a historical parallel between the Civil War in the USA and the Patriotic war of 1812 in Russia. The two events were compared through two great pieces of the world literature: “Gone with the wind” by Margaret Mitchell and “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy.
One of the assignments American students have to do during their work in Russian camps, is to keep a journal in which they not only record what’s going on, but reflect upon the experience.
Kevin, who had been to Africa and Malaysia, put the following entry at the very beginning of his time in Mari El. It was in Mari El where he didn’t feel like a tourist observing life from outside. He felt like he was in someone’s home rather than visiting a foreign country. He was a welcome guest in a home where the household was sincerely happy to host him.
Well, this is what real cultural exchange is. Relationships between people do not need any “reload”ing.
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