Astrakhan Kremlin

Hi! I’m Elena Rybalchenko, a graduate student in Clark University. I just came to Worcester from Russia a couple of weeks ago to learn Marketing Communication. My home town, Astrakhan, is a pretty big city (about half of a million people live there). There are no forests or big hills there like here in Worcester, but you will find a great plain and many rivers in the area. On the other hand I did find one funny similarity between Worcester and Astrakhan – we have the same temperature now. So stop thinking Russian is as cold as the Antarctic!

In Russia I studied environmental engineering. During that time I was working as PR manager at the Centre of Ecological Education. My job was to increase people’s awareness about environmental problems. In order to reach this goal I organized various events in my home town. This experience showed me the need to develop my communication skills.  That’s why when I received an information leaflet from the Astrakhan State University (ASPU) I was glad to know about a new international program. It was organized by COPACE and sponsored by Clark University and ASPU. I was pleased to know that I had a chance to get my master’s degree in the US. I was especially happy to start this program in my own country under the supervision of American professors, and then to arrive in Worcester for the last 2 semesters. Due to the structure of the program, adapting to the new style of teaching and to the new culture was very smooth…one more plus.  The desire to do something important for others during my work led me to focus on the protection of nature and the same desire brought me to Clark. I hope to use the knowledge and experience I’m getting here to do my best in this field. Actually, since I’m a Clarkie, helping other international students to get a high quality education in such great place as Clark seems a significant aim too.

Volga river





This week I started my internship in the Department of Marketing and Communications at Clark University. I believe this is a good chance to do an important job, as I always wanted.

I’ve just spent 2 weeks here but I’ve already seen many things that surprised me a lot, but which look common for Americans. So I’m still in a culture shock a bit. 



Downtown Astrakhan



I will be of sharing my impressions of student life here.  I guess some moments will make you laugh - anyway I hope so.  So my blog is mostly about unexpected and curious differences between American culture and cultures in other countries. There’re many international students in Clark and I’m sure each of them maybe one time but said to himself “Oh my God! What’s going on???”  As for me I’ve said this phrase million times. The first time was at the intersection. A lot of cars were going in different directions but all of them stopped to let me pass through. It’s almost impossible in Russia if there are no traffic lights on the road. So now I LOVE intersections! 

And, of course, the professor’s style of teaching is very different too. He’s more like an equal, joking and chatting with class during the break. But all my previous experience in Russia shows that teachers usually try to keep distance. You should be kind of afraid of them because you are just a student. So it was pleasant to discover the possibility of studying in such friendly atmosphere. Thanks America!  

Updating periodically.