A day in the life
Outside the classroom
The best thing about (my profs) is their willingness to donate time outside of class to help you...I can't count the number of times that Marina (Glazov) sat with me in the department lounge, drilling and critiquing my latest translation attempts, until it got dark outside," says student Hilary Drummond.
Chances to live and explore Russian culture outside class
The Russian Studies program is a tightly-knit, supportive community of faculty and students. We get together regularly throughout the school year, with a wide range of events and opportunities to speak, watch, listen and interact with Russian language and culture.
- Russian Night: For over 25 years, the Department has hosted and organized an annual night that celebrates Russian culture. It's an evening of performance that includes choirs, song, plays, stories and culminates in a traditional Russian meal.
- Poetry readings: We recite our favourite Russian Poetry to one another at impromtu gatherings at student or faculty home. We serve wine, cheese and sit by a fire in comfy chairs.
- Russian Cooking Club: Students meet monthly to try out traditional Russian recipes together.
- Conversation club: Led by a faculty member, students get together to practice spoken Russian.
- Lunch and learn: Eat Russian dishes and listen to speakers discuss all aspects of Russian culture from rock music to opera, from art and Khruschev to feminism in late imperial Russia.
- Cine-eye Film Club: Every month we screen movies in the department. Popcorn and soft drinks included!
- The Dalhousie Russian Choir: Conducted by faculty member Shannon Spasova, the choir rehearses traditional Russian pieces that range from old hymns to twentieth centory folk songs. We meet every Wednesday evening and perform at the Russian Night festivities.
- Blini Lunch: during Maslenitsa, Russian pancake week, we serve up free Russian blinis.
- Ukrainian Easter Eggs workshop: Learn to make Ukranian Easter eggs.
