A group of six East Central University students, along with some Ada community members, went on a 19-day study abroad excursion in Russia this summer.
The group was hosted by ECU’s sister institution, State University of Management in Moscow.
In addition to improving their Russian language skills, the group toured historic landmarks and museums as well as attended various performances. In all, the group attended four Russian cities.
At the conclusion of the trip the group participated in the 20th CARTA (Central Association of Russian Teachers of America) Conference held at the Pushkin State Russian Languages Institute, the leading Russian higher learning and research establishment in the area of Russian studies in the world.
One of ECU’s students, Tanner Sheffield, a computer science major from Ada, delivered a paper entitled “A Comparison to Solaris (1972) by Andrei Tarkovsky and the 2002 American Remake.”
“He did an outstanding job presenting his paper to professionals from several foreign countries as well as his group’s friends,” said Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, director of Russian studies at ECU and director of ECU’s Global Education Program. “Tanner’s paper will appear in the Conference Proceedings publication set to come out at the end of 2018.
Sukholutskaya, founder and president of CARTA, was awarded the title of “Honorary Professor” by the Pushkin Institute.
At the beginning of the conference, the group, along with approximately 200 other attendees listened to a welcome speech delivered by Thomas Leary from the American Embassy in Moscow. Leary, who delivered his speech in Russian, encouraged the audience to continue their studies of the Russian language and culture.
The other five ECU students making the excursion, besides Sheffield, included: Hannah Barnes, of Lindsay; Kate Carlin, of Ada; Daniele Brecheen, of Allen; Leonard Feeney, of Olney and Joshua Jordan, of Ada.
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