American Corner

 Russian

On December 25, 2011 a group of Book Club members gave a spirited costumed performance of Christmas stories. The presented vignettes were based on a variety of literary works among which was a well-known all-time classic "A Christmas Tale" by Charles Dickens.

Native American Culture. Renewal of Unique And Beautiful Practices

On  December 20, 2011 Joanne Munisteri, Senior English Language Fellow for Siberia, spoke about Pow Wows in the United States and the renewal of native American culture. In her presentation Ms. Munisteri  highlighted the beauty and uniqueness of  American Indian culture and its ties with nature. She ended her talk with a brilliant singing of a genuine Lakota song .

American Film Industry. Its Golden Age And Decline

On December 16, 2011 Karen Heimsoth from the U. S.  Embassy in Moscow spoke about  film industry at the American Corner. Ms. Heimsoth  gave an overview of how the industry developed starting from the invention of the first machine for viewing motion pictures. The audience learnt about  the film industry's golden age and its current decline.

About American Diet And A Nation's Struggle With Access And Excess

On December 14, 2011  a Fulbright scholar Leo Brown  spoke about the problem of obesity. Mr. Brown stressed that the American obesity epidemic had emerged as not only the preeminent health concern of our age, but a persistent strain on national resources and productivity

Naming Infinity. Authors About Their Book And  Mathematics In  Russia

 On December 2, 2011 the two authors of the book "Naming Infinity. A True Story of Religious Mysticism and Mathematical Creativity " Loren Graham and Jean -Michel Kantor presented the Russian edition of their book and spoke  about their research in the history of mathematical science in Russia.

American Education: Advantages And Challenges

On December 6, 2011 Mr. Peter Eckstrom (First Secretary at the US Embassy, Moscow) visited the American Corner in Novosibirsk and spoke about higher education in the United States. Mr. Eckstrom highlighted the advantages of American education and spoke about the challenges facing foreign students.

About Movies And Stereotypes

On November 24, 2011  Joanne Munisteri, a Senior English Language Fellow for Siberia, spoke on the American movie industry at the American Corner. In her presentation Ms. Munisteri  touched upon independent movies versus typical Hollywood  product and explained how movies contribute to building all kinds of stereotypes that  people have.

Common Goals Ensure Successful Cooperation

On November 22, 2011 Eric Lundberg, deputy director of the political section of USA Embassy in Moscow, spoke on the history of USA-Russian relationship. Mr. Lundberg highlighted that despite current differences on some political issues  USA and Russia have a number of common goals and are successfully cooperating in many spheres.

Teachers Get To Know American Corner.

On November 22,  2011 a group of English teachers, currently undergoing an upgrade training, gathered at the American Corner for a professional discussion.. The participants spoke about effective teaching methods and modern approaches to education. They also got to know the American Corner's resources.

You Too Can Study In the United States

On November 21, 2011 an advisor with the local EducationUSA Center Nataliya  Aulchenko spoke about  American education.  In her presentation Ms. Aulchenko covered the basics of enrolling into American Universities and American education.

Professor Emerita on History Of Censorship In Russia

On November 17, 2011 ,a group of  American Corner patrons had  a unique opportunity to meet  Marianna Tax Choldin, Professor Emerita of Mortenson Center for international library programs (University of Illinois), now retired. Marianna Tax Choldin is a world leading specialist on censorship in prerevolutionary and Soviet Russia and the author of a number of books on the subject including a well-known bestseller "A Fence Around the Empire"

Student Political Activism And Social Change

On November 16, 2011 a Fulbright Scholar Leo Brown  discussed the history and political impact of student activism in American universities.  Over the last century, the higher education system has been transformed from an elite, exclusive society of the privileged few into a hotbed of social change, protest, and diversity.  The work of student activists has led to successful campaigns against racial discrimination, environmental devastation, public policy, and other forms of injustice. Leo's talk was followed by questions from the audience and informal conversation.

We Stage Ghost Stories

On October 30, 2011, Halloween eve,  the Book Club at the Novosibirsk Regional Universal Research Library  presented Tales Of a Traveller,  a costume performance based on the works of a number of American authors writing about supernatural.  The audience enjoyed the staging of some stories by Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, O' Henry and some other writers

Halloween Limericks

On October 28, 2011 a group of discussion club members celebrated the coming of a great American holiday Halloween. In the best holiday tradition the attendees wore costumes and played party games. They also tried their hand in rendering into Russian some Halloween limericks.

Discussing Current Trends In American Politics

On October 24 2011 a group of discussion club members and alumni of different US government sponsored exchange programs learnt a lot of interesting things about American political system and the coming presidential elections from Leo Brown, a Fulbright scholar currently teaching English and doing research in Novosibirsk.  Mr. Brown's presentation was followed by questions from the audience.

American Diploma - Your Dream May Come True

On October 24, 2011 Nataliya Aulchenko, an advisor with the local EducationUSA Center, spoke about applying to the American universities at the American Corner. Ms. Aulchenko  gave a detailed description of the application process and highlighted the effort it takes to complete the paperwork.

Your Path To Success

On October 18, 2011 Cyrus Reed, a Provost with the American University in Bulgaria, spoke at the American Corner about the programs offered by the University. Mr.  Reed highlighted many advantages the American University in Bulgaria has over other educational establishments.

Library Theater Presents Romantic Sketches

On October 16 the American Corner hosted a book club get-together. A group of club members presented a performance in English "It's only with the heart that one can see rightly" based on the works of romantic writers of the 20^th century.

American Corner Hosts FLEX Alumni Conference

On October 8-9 the American Corner hosted a FLEX Conference of city representative. Active FLEX alumni shared their success stories of alumni participation in community life.

Applying to American University Requires Hard Work

On September 26, 2011 Nataliya Aulchenko, an advisor with the local EducationUSA Center, spoke on the possibilities of the American education for Russian students. Ms. Aulchenko gave an overall description of the application process and stressed the effort  all  potential students should put into completing their university application forms.

Outreach Coordinator For Congressman Visits Discussion Club

On September 24,   2011 Mr. Peter A.  Yazbak, outreach coordinator for Congressman Jim Himes, visited the American Corner to participate in a discussion club session.

American Corner Participates In INTERRA Events

On September 24, 2011 as part of the Novosibirsk Youth Forum INTERRA activities a group of FLEX exchange program alumni conducted a quiz on the United States. The quiz was held in a festive atmosphere in the open air Over 50 young people participated in the quiz and received small gifts for correctly answered questions. The quiz was followed by a tour of the Novosibirsk Regional Universal Research Library.

Students Discuss Innovations With American Diplomats

On September 23th, 2011 two American diplomats Rebecca Neff and Baron Lobstein  visited the American  Corner to discuss innovations with a group of students. The participating students shared  their views on the nature of innovations and talked about how the government could help talented young people in Russia to put their ideas into practice.

Education in the United States: Opportunities For Russian Students

On September 22 Ann Merrill, Regional Educational Advising Coordinator for Eurasia, spoke at the American Corner on education  in the United States and opportunities for Russian students. Ms. Merrill described the application process in great detail and highlighted the differences in Russian and American education systems.

American Corner Hosts Education Advising  Conference Attendees

On September 21-22,   2011 the American Corner in Novosibirsk had the pleasure of hosting an all-Russia training of advisors on education in the United States.  Education consultants across Russia from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok came to Novosibirsk  to discuss best advising practices and develop future strategies.

American Computer Programmer On Artificial Intelligence

On September 9, 2011 a computer programmer with Red Hat Enterprise Linux  Mr. Matt Mosesohn  participated in a Q&A session at the American Corner. Mr. Mosesohn spoke briefly about his company and touched upon some programming issues. The audience consisting mostly of young people was very interested in the future of artificial intelligence.

 Window to America