GW at the 2018 World Cup

The commander of St. Petersburg University symphony

HanJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

One of my uncle’s best friend - Mr.Zhou, who is currently working as the commander of St.Petersburg University Symphony, invited me to “experience the local bar culture” yesterday. He told me lots of things about the Tsarist Russia, he said that St. Petersburg is a typical city of Tsariste Russia culture, Moscow, in the other hand, is a typical city of Soviet Culture. He also taught me some musical things, which is far beyond my knowledge. But it’s quiet interesting to meet some new friend in a totally unfamiliar city.

Samba de amigo

HanJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

Watching the game Brazil vs. Costa Rica is my best soccer live experience so far. The seat is so close to the court, Brazil fans are much calmer than I thought, but the last minute goal lighten up the passion of the stadium. The enthusiasm of the Samba crew is still existing!

Last day in Russia

guoyiranJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

The last day in Russia, I had dinner with Jane and her husband. We talked a lot about the culture different in different countries, and have wonderful time.

vintage cars everywhere

HanJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

Don't like other big cities with many luxury cars, Moscow has a lot of vintage cars including many vintage cars of their native brand Lada. Personally, I’m a huge fan of vintage cars, so for me, Moscow is really like heaven.

Bittersweet Symphony

Megan PhillipsJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

As my friend Andrew described earlier, beginning our goodbyes to our classmates today was bittersweet. I think we are all excited to go home to our loved ones and the familiar, but it’s still hard to know this experience is almost over. Though many of us will be fortunate enough to continue classes together back in DC, some of our classmates attend different universities and/or live in other cities. Even for those who will be back on GW’s campus soon enough, our time together in the future will never be quite like these past ten days. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity and to have gotten to know so many lovely people!

A Taste of Home

Megan PhillipsJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

We were delighted to see a familiar face, the Washington Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin, grinning back at us while we rode the metro today in St. Petersburg! I suppose Ovi has better things to do these days than actually ride the metro in person, but it was still a treat to stumble upon his Russian Papa John’s advertisement during our commute.

Fans made the game

HanJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

Although poland went home, their fans are the most passionate fans I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere is crazy and contagious. Some of them just took some days off coming to Moscow to watch the game, then go back to work. I just can’t help myself imagine that what if China make it to World Cup.

Friends for life…

Andrew SzunyogJune 26, 2018Leave a comment

When I decided to come to Russia for the 2018 World Cup, I came for the soccer and the learning experiences that come with running the world’s preeminent sporting event. When I go home tomorrow and return to my normal life, I take home the knowledge earned from meeting industry professionals who are chasing their dreams of a professional life in sports, something that all of my classmates are striving for.

But these experiences are not the only thing I will take home with me. I will bring home something that cannot have a value placed in it because it is priceless. It is the lifelong bonds and friendships I have made with my classmates here in Russia. These connections have not only enriched my life for the better and opened my eyes to new cultures and experiences but have given me new connections and avenues to achieve my own dreams and goals. I expected to make friends here in Russia but I did not expect to find the human connection that makes life so enjoyable and so fulfilling. Thank you to all of my new friends for helping to make this the trip of a lifetime and I will not soon forget you. I will miss you much and I look forward to seeing where our new found friendships will take us.

The spirit of the FIFA World Cup is strong across the globe, here in Russia, and in cyberspace as well. Via Facebook Messenger I was able to make a Colombia ?? fan out of my roommate, Andrew. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a study abroad class are the friendships made and relationships solidified. Dr. Neirotti does a wonderful job putting the class and entire experience together and all we have to do is put in the work and take it all in. Today is our last full day in Russia and it will be bittersweet to leave, but back to America I must go.

Bar 76

mbottcher24June 26, 2018Leave a comment

Tonight was the last night at our neighborhood bar. We met a very nice man named Simon who helped us navigate the city, but also gave us several taste tests of foods at the bar. We were there almost every night watching the soccer matches on the projector. Glad we had a neighborhood place so close to our hotel!