Education is a remarkable thing, it not only fuels excitement for exploration but it allows the potential for understanding where you are going and where you’ve been. If you’re anything like me, a tactile learner, travel engages all senses. Within this dominion you meet remarkable people.

As a 14 year old child I saw the recently reopened Russia. It was January of 1994 and the more prominent memory that exists is that it was cold. We stayed in the city of Korolev, named after Sergei P. Korolev an aerospace engineered that pioneered Russia’s space program. Unfamiliar with much of the countries past at the time, I was able to see Russia from an unbiased perspective and take it for what it was, new and exciting.

* 11 years later the young man returned to the far away land and experienced what it’s like to live, breath, speak, eat, and love Russian* 11 years later the young man returned to the far away land and experienced what it’s like to live, breath, speak, eat, and love Russian

* My goal within the 2 month span that of my stay in the city of Korolev and surrounding cities was not only to learn the language and develop an understanding for the likeness and differences between cultures but also to establish new partnerships within business and academic institutions and to document my stay via pictures, a journal, and a website.

Not only was I able to find my way around the Moscow metro but I found remarkable friendships, hospitality, architecture, and humanity.

After spending a month in Korolev with my new
Russian mother and mentor Olga and her son Andre
I found myself adopted by Luba and her daughter
 Kira, a new family in Ivantevka. 

*

     Religion had been suppressed during communist times but now is alive again within the
    church and the people.

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