The SRAS Newsletter
A Resource for Students, Educators, and Anyone Curious about Russia"С Новым годом" from SRAS!
Our opening picture this month is a New Year's card from the 1960s. It is interesting not only for its age, but also its imagery. Note the rocket ship in the background, reminding us that the future is ahead of us, even as we celebrate with holiday traditions of old. We are reminded of these Russian traditions in the Russian folk art painted on Santa's (Ded Moroz's) sleigh and even in the stylized depiction of the horse, also taken from folk art. Snegoruchka, Ded Moroz's granddaughter in Russian folklore, is carrying a red banner with a dove, an international symbol showing that the greatest gift of all is peace on Earth. While the card, produced in the USSR, obviously has propaganda value as well, we can likely agree that it depicts what every person would want during the holiday season: good memories of the past, peace in the present, and hope for the future. May each of you find these things with the turning of the New Year! Happy Holidays to you all! If you have views or material you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. To subscribe to this free newsletter, send an email with "Subscribe SRAS" in the subject field to jwilson@sras.org.  Holiday Histories
Start your year off right - by planning for all the coming Russian holidays in the New Year! This article has been updated with dates for all holidays in 2008 and most of the explanatory notes have been expanded and supplemented with pictures. Enjoy!
News and Announcements CHTENIA, a new publication from Russian Life Magazine, is all about offering interesting, topical readings to lovers of Russian culture and literature. University World News is a new, free resource offering news about education across the world - including Russia. The Tahoe-Baikal Institute's Summer Environmental Exchange (SEE) is a 10-week experiential watershed education and leadership development program hosted at Lake Tahoe and Lake Baikal. SRAS's Cell Phone Program now provides phones and initial SIM cards to students studying under RSL or FSA programs in St. Petersburg and Moscow as part of the basic services offered with those programs. Students must purchase their own SIMs (at a cost of around 10-15 USD) at some point in the semester. The phones and purchased SIMs are theirs to keep. This will mean that students will not have to worry about returning phones and will have their cell phone to contact SRAS in case they encounter any problems at the airport when leaving Russia at the end of their studies. We hope this will further improve student safety and the convenience of our programs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Обзоры: Learn About Russia and Eurasia through the News | These news reviews strive to paint an accurate and balanced picture of life in Russia and to deliver information on important events affecting Eurasia that do not receive heavy coverage in the Western news. | Russian Business and Economy
From Pepsi's new Russian potato chip factory to the impact that politics are likely to have the economy to labor issues. This obzor, developed in conjunction with USRCCNE, covers it all.
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 The following articles are intended to showcase interesting Russian programs and ways to "leverage" study abroad. They should be of interest to both students and educators - but especially educators! The Wild Card
Katerina Avgerinos used her time abroad in Russia to study, conduct research, and find employment with major Russian firms. Find out how she leveraged her study abroad in a new interview on our site! Volunteer Opportunities in Russia
Study abroad is only effective for those students willing to get out and experiance life as it exists in thier host country. Volunteering is a great way to see how the locals live, work, and think about important issues! This page is fully updated and expanded! Stetson Program Sees Russian Events Close Up
This recent article in the Dayton News-Journal profiles Stetson's small but successful Russian program which combines effective teaching with encouraging study abroad and the development of a global conscience. Stetson's Bear in a Hat
Each year, several Stetson students study abroad through programs arranged by SRAS. Professor Michael Denner with Stetson recently started this blog for those students. The result is an eclectic and insightful collection of links, pics, and commentary. Stetson student Tiffany Chestnut is also keeping a personal blog this year which is also very interesting. Russian in the Classroom
The newest language immersion program for children at Portland Public Schools combines Russian and English language, culture, and history.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Putin is Time's "Person of the Year"
Personal commentary from the Newsletter editor: The selection of Vladimir Putin has been widely criticized, mostly by people who apparently don't understand what Time intended by this. The title is not an award, nor is it meant to indicate the "humanity" of the recipient as the title perhaps suggests. It means, simply, that Putin has done more than anyone else to change the way the world works over in the past year. Indeed, given Russia's domestic economic resurgence, the surging international investment going to and coming from Russia, Russia's return to a position of power in international politics, and the fact that all these changes will, apparently, be long term, the selection is entirely justified, even though another change has been an increasingly powerful and centralized government in Russia. Time's site offers an array of video and print material on Putin and Russia.
Russia Election Update
This publication from the international consulting firm PBN places the results of the Duma election in simple terms, with several helpful graphs for understanding how the raw numbers will affect Russian politics in the coming years. BBC on Russia's Elections
Interesting audio coverage from the day of the elections, as they wound to a close around Russia. All the Next President's Men
Dimitri Medvedev is supported in his candidacy for president of Russia by current president Vladimir Putin, which practically guarantees him a win in coming elections. What are his credentials? Putin's Russia (streaming video)
A video slide show of photos taken and narrated by James Hill from the New York Times. It's simplistic, but interesting and visually stimulating. Russia's Party System (PDF)
This issue of the Russian Analytical Digest discusses the December 2007 Duma elections in Russia. The authors examine pre-election opinion polls and political trends in the different regions. They also provide a recap of past election results. The issue further examines the official Russian Electoral Statistics Database. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Flexible Kyrgyz Study
New, flexible sessions are available at The London School in Bishkek. Students must sign up for a minimum of one month, but may increase that study time by one week increments. Note that as this program has grown to focus more on Kyrgyz and local history and culture, we have moved this program from our RSL selections to our FSA selections. SRAS has many more programs. Click here! Vestnik - Call for Papers
Vestnik, the Journal of Russian and Asian Studies is now in its eighth call for papers. Students (undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate) who have written exceptional work within the last year are highly encouraged to submit them for publication! Scholarships and Grants for Students and Scholars of Russian Studies
An updated list of all deadlines for current Russia-related scholarship cycles.
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 Olga's Blog: Самый первый день
When does student life really start? For Olga and her classmates, it's the fateful day when the dean personally hands you your student ID card. Image of the Month: Political Satire
Believe it or not - political satire still exists in Russia. Featured Site: YouTube
YouTube recently officially launched in Russia and in Russian. Russian users have already flooded the site with personal videos, clips from TV and movies, and more. New Year Resolution - Новогодний зарок
The world's number one New Year's resolution (Новогодний зарок) is probably to more regularly go to the gym (ходить в тренажерный зал). In honor of this tradition, which is popular in both Russia and America, this month we feature an intensive Russian lesson all about fitness activities. Enjoy and be healthy this New Year! | 
