My name is Olga and I made a long way to come to Kutztown University from my native Russia. Russia is the largest country in the world with a lot of history and rich culture. There is a very diverse population and with very beautiful and various landscapes: from plains to mountains, from fields to forests. All these make Russia very unique. My native town is Usinsk, which is very small (and not always can be found on the map) is situated in the north of Russia, just 55km (or 34 miles) from Polar Circle. The winters there are very long (up to 8 months) and extremely cold: the temperature sometimes falls to -40^oC. But it is still very beautiful with polar lights in the winter and with white nights in the beginning of the summer. It is so very difficult to describe Russia, because it is so large and differs from region to region. Every region has its own peculiarity and very often its own language, though the official language is Russian.

After I have graduated from Vyatka State University of Humanities I decided to continue my education and to get a second degree. I was in the US the year before my graduation as a participant of a Student Exchange Program and I liked it a lot. I decided to try my fortune and applied to the Kutztown State University, and I don’t regret doing it. It is difficult to leave your family and all your friends and find yourself in a totally new surrounding and culture. Kutztown is such a wonderful place with so many great people that it’s just a great pleasure to be here.