Hello All !!! (so....Mom and Erin)
Welcome to my very own Russia Blog!
Beginning in late August I will be studying the Russian language in St. Petersburg, Russia at the Smolny Campus of Saint Petersburg State University. I plan to return to the states sometime in late May in time for my brother's wedding. The program I'm in is the CIEE Russian Language Program, which in addition to being a highly rated study program, it also allows for many excursions and personal travel.
I received the 'final' email update today which contained the usual last minute list of things I should have done already. Good news -- I think I have completed most of the things. I have my visa, flight, financials, and a rudimentary packing list figured out. All I have left to do is apply for a last minute scholarship opportunity, actually pack, do some clothing shopping, and see my cats (family too, I suppose).
I leave in one month and one day. If the travel agency did their job (crossing fingers, more on that later), I should be departing Minneapolis, partaking in a lovely transfer in NYC where I will scramble between two airports, a small layover in Helsinki, Finland, and then finally land in St. Petersburg where I will be joyously greeted by the Immigration Officials, underage-looking police officers, and Program Directors.
I'm getting excited! Time for some tunes.
