As Dickinson students taking Russian all know, a key feature of the Russian-language curriculum is periodic exchanges with native speakers across the globe. These exchanges are organized thematically around topics and issues that students are studying in a given class. They not only offer Dickinson students the chance to practice their Russian in authentic settings, but help build cultural connections with Russian-speaking peers.
On October 6, 2023, students in Prof. DeBlasio’s advanced-level course (taught in Russian) on “Popular Culture and New Media” connected with university students from Moscow, including from the Higher School of Economics and the Peoples’ Friendship University.
Language exchanges are organized and supported by Irina Filippova, the Dickinson director of the Dickinson Center in Tbilisi, Georgia.