В. Бондарева

Discovering America

    Now upon my arrival home after staying for four months in America I've realized how much I miss that country. But let's start from the very beginning.

First Impressions: On Politeness

    America met me with a friendly smile. The famous American smile was on every face. I enjoyed smiling and being smiled at in return.
    Americans are not only constantly smiling but they are extremely polite. Can you imagine our shop assistant, who thanks you with a charming smile and wishes you a good day even if you didn't buy anything? And if you did buy something they will remember you forever and next time they will greet you as a close friend.
    But you will be greeted not only in a shop. People greet each other every time they meet, even if they parted only a few minutes ago. You can hear "Hi!" "How are you?" or just "Howdy!" everywhere. Moreover, a stranger can greet you on the street just because he liked you.
    Americans always let you go first and hold the door for you if you meet them in the doorway. Even if you are ten meters away, they will wait for you with the door open. It has become a kind of a game with the whole nation involved. But follow the rules, and don't forget to thank them for the service. Only once, deep in my thoughts, I didn't thank a large black woman entering a building before me. An indignant "Where is your personal 'thank you', I wonder?" followed. I think she still remembers me and tells stories about the lady with bad manners.
    Americans constantly apologize. If they are in your way in a shop or on the street you will hear "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me", even if they didn't touch you (but they still invaded your personal space!).
    At first I didn't know how to react when somebody apologized, not having done me any harm. And I puzzled Americans a lot by asking them how to behave in such situations. They just couldn't understand what I was talking about. They had to discuss it and decide on an appropriate answer. I realized they apologized subconsciously, without even noticing it. After a while, I understood that "Uh-huh" or "Sure" would be enough.
    Americans constantly compliment each other on everything. A new outfit, a blouse, a hairstyle and even a tie never remains unnoticed. Soon complimenting became my habit; it's so pleasant to please people.
    If you sneeze during the lecture the whole class would bless you. In a shop a nearby shop assistant would do it. You would be blessed even in a bus. But in the same bus, nobody would give up his place to an elderly woman or offer any help if she carries a heavy bag so as not to offend her. She is strong enough to do it herself.
    Late students would never knock on the door and ask for permission to enter. They would just come in and quietly take any vacant seat. And they can leave the classroom any time during the lecture without asking. They are too polite to unreasonably interrupt the teacher.

University of Pennsylvania

    I was lucky to be placed at the University of Pennsylvania, the oldest American university. It was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, and you can feel the presence of "Uncle Ben" everywhere on campus. His statue in front of Weightman Hall was originally the one whose foot freshmen had to kiss in order to obtain their precious button and beanie. You can also see him relaxing on a bench at the corner of 37th and Locust, listening to students' conversations. And the statue in front of College Hall has been known to give students a good luck wink during finals.
    Having arrived in Philadelphia a week before classes began, I was impressed by the solemn, quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the university campus. It would become noisy, busy and crowded in a few days but I didn't know it then and enjoyed walking along shady paths of this ancient college town. Only here did I understand the real meaning of the "Ivy League" expression. Redbrick walls covered with green ivy leaves make a very picturesque sight. It surpassed all my expectations.
    I was full of energy and wanted to get started. So, I took eight courses at the graduate school of education. After a while I was spoken about in classrooms and corridors (even five courses at a time is considered too many). But in two weeks I decided on five of the most interesting ones and was immersed in work.
    I had so many things to read, to listen to, and to see that at first I had hardly any time to sleep. I was happy to be a student again, to become a part of a community which was working hard for a single goal: to obtain knowledge.
    Students' projects, presentations, group work, seminars, field trips-I tried to take part in everything. However, having become part of the classroom I didn't forget my own research. Being interested in intercultural communication, I interviewed Americans on their assumptions about Russians and was surprised that some of them knew quite a lot about this country. I distributed the questionnaire among students of the Slavic Department to find out why they decided to study Russian. And I enjoyed participating in Russian language seminars as a native speaker.
    I spent much time in the library with lots of books and articles available to me. And, I could hardly tear myself from Internet. It was such an exciting experience! Computers really make our world smaller, helping to establish personal and professional contacts all over the world.
    Another way to develop professional contacts is to attend conferences, which I did three times. The last one-a policy forum on reform in Russian higher education organized by IREX-was quite a summit. Presidents, vice-presidents, university presidents-I have never seen so many VIPs at a time. And, I participated in discussions on equal terms with them. I was even the one to be interviewed by a BBC news program.
    Another unforgettable experience was my work as a speaker with the International Classroom. Participating in their programs I had a unique opportunity to visit different schools sharing my culture with the students. I still keep in touch with the principal of one of the schools and we are considering a joint project for our students.

Entertainment

    University life isn't limited by the classroom only. You are not a student if you can't find time for numerous happy hours, refreshments, brunches, parties, tea breaks and what-not organized by different clubs and societies. It's a good opportunity to meet old and new friends, to hear the latest news, to try different cuisine, to talk to people from all over the world and just to have fun.
    Besides, you can participate in all sorts of trips organized for newcomers, enjoy sport facilities, go to a show or join a project or campaign. Extra-curricular activities are so numerous that it's difficult not to miss anything.
    I amused myself in an amusement park and became a baseball fan, enjoyed a Christmas show in famous Longwood Gardens and applauded a Broadway show, took part in a Columbus Day parade and went on trips to Washington, New York, Boston, Atlantic City, and Baltimore...
    On Halloween night I carved pumpkins, treated children to candies and participated in a costume show. I ate three turkeys and visited three Thanksgiving parties. And I sang Christmas carols during a farewell party just before Christmas.
    I met lots of nice people and made many good friends. I am missing them terribly now though we try to keep in touch sharing the news and recalling the wonderful time we spent together. We hope to see each other again some day.

Conclusion

    I was lucky to get a unique opportunity to see, to feel and to "touch" American culture with my own fingers - no text can provide a teacher with such a valuable experience.
    Upon my arrival I tried to share everything not only with my colleagues but with people from other departments. I made some presentations and had several articles published.
    In conclusion I would like to thank everybody who made my coming to America possible and my staying in the country more useful and enjoyable. I would be happy if my example inspires my students and encourages them to learn English better, and to participate in exchange programs.