As a result of the sweeping political, economic and social reforms that have occurred throughout the former Soviet Union since its dissolution in 1991, Colgate has restructured its long-standing study program in Russia. This fall 16 students will participate in the newly revised Moscow study group, which focuses less on language and more on the complex processes at work in Russian society in the post-Soviet world. At least half of the participants will enter this fall's program with a year or less of Russian. They will travel first to Vladimir in early August for an intensive four-week language course. With that preliminary boost, they will officially begin the program in September, taking a required language course and choosing from among a broadened selection of courses, including literature, political science and history.
Supervised internships are another exciting feature of the new program.
Students will have the choice of working in Russian businesses, non-government organizations or social service agencies. Political science professor Martha Olcott will direct the program, stemming off her vast knowledge of political changes in the successor states of the former Soviet Union and her sabbatical experience this year as senior associate for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. She will be joined by Leonid and Leslie Chekin, visiting assistant professors, both of whom have taught at Colgate in the past. The Nordbergs have become quite familiar with changes and opportunities in this part of the world, and Gerry Nordberg is a shareholder in the largest cellular telephone system in Moscow. Family Outreach Tamara Henry Kurtz '79, executive director of Madison Family Outreach, has been working with Colgate volunteers who provide mentoring, childcare and assistance with community awareness programs.