Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Fulbright–Hays Group Project Abroad Short-Term Seminar in Russia

Week Two
20–26 June

Understanding Russia through Everyday Life
Week Two: 20–26 June
Finally, we arrive at the American Home in Vladimir, Russia, without luggage of course. It arrived later. We will spend two weeks here learning about Russian history, religion, politics, law and order, education, the economy, women and family, and the media. Not all our time will be spent inside, we will also take field trips to historic sites: Russian Orthodox churches (many recently restored from museums to churches after the Soviet era), a city hall, a prison, schools, a factory, an orphanage, etc.
Click on a day of the week to join us and learn about our experiences. To view a picture full size, click on it.

Wednesday       Thursday       Friday       Saturday

Wednesday, 23 June

The beautiful "American Home" serves as our anchor here in Vladimir—both for Americans and our Russian hosts and instructors.

Dr. Pope's vision to first construct, then direct this incredible home is a lesson in the finest kind of international relations and entrepreneurship. All Americans should be proud to know that this home exists.
—Jill Acker, The Latin School of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Thursday, 24 June

Today we learned about Russian religion and visited the Vladimir eparchy, Knyaginin Convent. Father Innokenti, secretary of Vladimir eparchy, spoke to us about the Russian Orthodox Church.

Friday, 25 June

This morning we had our second session on the Russian language and then spent the remainder of the day learning about Russian history and culture.

Our first stop was the History Museum.

Then we ventured on to the Children's Museum where we were instructed on traditional methods of sewing, spinning, and other household tasks.

Jill was taught traditional sewing and embroidery;

Terry learned how to carry water properly;

while Jessica learned how to spin yarn.

Alexei learned how to make felt boots,

while Mark was presented with a pair of felt boots.

Saturday, 26 June

Today we took a field trip to the Outdoor Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life in the historic city of Suzdal. The museum is a collection of historic 12th–17th century churches and dwellings. The structures were built with ax and chisel and are covered with aspen-shingled roofs.

Courtyard of a Suzdal church

A young boy learning the traditional
method of pottery making.

Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences • University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
104 International Studies Building • 910 S Fifth Street • Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-333-1244 • Fax: 217-333-1582 • email: reec@uiuc.edu