“The trip to Rostov was very interesting. Visiting Rostov helped me gain a better understanding of Russian culture and some language. It was also beneficial to learn about the Russian health care system in order to learn about alternative health care systems and methods of health care delivery.”

-Britteny G., Psychology and Sociology major, Spring 2008

“Hoosier-Don-Cossack”

"Our recent trip abroad to Rostov-na-Donu, Russia was, in a word, unforgettable. Aside from the many people that I met and became close and fast friends with, the cultural experience was absolutely phenomenal.

After a few days of work exploring healthcare facilities in the South of Russia, our group was treated to what we joked as being a field trip to the old capital of Rostov-na-Donu; Starocherkassk. En route to the old country, our driver stopped on the side of the road for a photo-op. To the right stood the new city of Rostov-na-Donu, our home for the two weeks we visited, and with a swing of our heads to the left we stood speechless and staring into the southern gates of the Russian Central Asian Steppe. No textbook description I have read thus far in my academic career did what I saw justice. I honestly thought I could feel the history all around me. We jumped back in the van and headed in the direction of the vast and birch-peppered savannah.

Upon arriving in Starocherkassk, we looked around a local gift shop and picked up a few souvenirs before being given a tour of an ancient Cossack home. After being told about the different clothes, books, furniture, weapons, cooking utensils, and other staples of medieval Russian living we were suddenly whisked upstairs. We were suddenly in a large bright room with paintings of famous Don-Cossacks, parquet floors, and a semicircle of nine women in traditional Don-Cossack dress accompanied by a well-rehearsed intimidating gentleman in three-quarter length royal blue Cossack attire. To my surprise, I was to be inducted as an honorary Don-Cossack, and the induction ceremony commenced.

After scanning the room for a Bulgakovian fireplace, I was placed center stage. To my right was the “intimidating” gentleman who led the ceremony. I was given a goblet of “herbs” to drink, charged with the honor and benefits of the Don-Cossacks including their women, money, and drink, and then I danced with one of the babushki as the ladies sang and played their traditional Cossack instruments. “Liuba! Liuba! Liuba!” they cheered, accepting me into the Don-Cossack family. I was awarded one Soviet Ruble (money which, as I was reminded, can never be touched by frivolities such as market value and inflation), a Cossack medal, and a certificate of honor declaring my new citizenship, stamped with the official stamp of Starocherkassk. After a group photo, the ceremony was over and we returned outside to see more of the first capital.

Other adventures in Southern Russia found me and the group picnicking on the banks of the River Don with our new friends from Southern Federal University. Since we were on the “left bank,” according to our new Russian friends we were technically having our traditional Russian BBQ in “Asia.” I should mention that shashlik and room-temperature pivo are the perfect accompaniment to a rolling river and acoustic guitar. One evening we had a five-star dinner at a swanky restaurant where former President Putin once ate, also on the banks of the River Don, while another evening we experienced traditional Russian cuisine at one of our new friend’s houses (I am now particularly fond of Sasha’s mom’s chicken and potatoes, and Artem’s mom’s homemade compote and dolma).

These were some of my favorite of our well-deserved rewards for a semester of hard work examining similarities and differences between Russian and American healthcare systems. I am convinced that the relationships forged on my recent trip to Rostov-na-Donu will endure for a lifetime, and am grateful and honored to have had such an experience.”

Jeff T., Russian Language and Literature/Culture major, Spring 2008