Adventures in Russia

Welcome back! I am currently in Russia to take part in two great programs. The first is called Getting Closer - it is a grant program created by my Russian professor in which we have been skyping with students at a the Grott school for the blind and visually impaired in Saint Petersburg since last semester. Now, we have come to Russia to meet them and spend a week doing various activities with them at their school and around the city. The second program I am partaking in is the study abroad program at Moscow State University, where I will take Russian lessons for two weeks. 

A quick note before I begin talking about what's gone on so far, I want to mention that I applied for a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Russia last October. Last month I found out I was not getting a grant, and was selected as an alternate, meaning I would only get a grant if someone declined theirs, or more funding was offered.

I gave up hope at that point and accepted the fact that I would not be getting a grant.

When we landed at JFK, I was scrolling through my email, waiting to get off the plane, when I saw two emails from Fulbright. The first was from a representative asking me to call them immediately, and the second was about the orientation for grant recipients in July. 

I freaked out and got off the plane as quickly as I could, because I knew exactly why they wanted me to call them, and I couldn't believe it. Sure enough, when I called, the woman I spoke to told me that more funding had been received and that the US Department of State would like to offer me a Fulbright Scholarship. She wanted to know if I would accept it. 

I paused for a minute. To be honest, when I found out I wasn't getting a grant, I was a little relieved. I wouldn't have to move away and leave my life behind for 9 months. I wouldn't have to depend on myself and be 100% on my own. I wouldn't have to be scared or anxious or any of those things. Life would remain the same - safe, familiar, and comfortable. 

So, when she asked if I wanted the grant, all of these things raced through my mind. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. She asked if I was still there. And then I said it. "Yes - yes I accept." 

If I don't face my fears now, I never will. And if I turn down a freaking Fulbright Scholarship, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. It's time to grow up and face the challenges I've been avoiding.

Anyways, that's that. Now onto Russia!

We arrived in Moscow yesterday at approximately 11:30AM. We'll be here until tomorrow, when we hop a train to Saint Petersburg. 

The first day was fairly uneventful. The weather was awful - cold, rainy, and windy. It was in the 40's, but with the wind, according to my phone, made it feel like 27 degrees. After getting settled in at the hotel, everyone went to Red Square. I stayed at the hotel, however, because I wasn't feeling too well and ended up sleeping until this morning.

Today we started off by going to a farmer's market. It's one of the cheapest place to buy souvenirs in Moscow, and you can haggle with the vendors to lower the price. 

We spent about an hour and a half there.

Putin mugs galore! 

After leaving the flea market, we regrouped at the hotel and then headed out for a 3 hour bus tour of Moscow. We hit up all the major places - The Bolshoi Theater, Red Square, Christ the Savior Cathedral, Novodevichy Convent, and Sparrow Hill.

The view of Moscow from Sparrow Hill.

Tomorrow morning we'll be getting up early for a tour of the Kremlin, then it's onto Saint Petersburg by train to meet up with the students from the Grott school!