Fairport HS Students Novgorod Trip 2009-02

Students from Fairport HS travelled to Velikiy Novgorod in February, 2009.  Here are some of their thoughts.  Click for a few photos.

Jack Tilley, current senior at FHS

Russia, February 2008

      It was the end of a ten-hour bus ride, ten hours. Driving though Russian highways, the landscape was pretty but overwhelmingly repetitive. In the bus we’re all wearing Large amounts of large clothing to cope with the Russian winter, though it’s of course too much, overdone by the thought of “frozen bitter cold” Russia. We Finally arrived in Novgorod, a relatively small town, between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.  We were told however, that right here, in Novgorod, would be the highlight of the whole trip.

      Outside waiting for us, for an undetermined amount of time, were the group of Russian students and a few teachers, all prepared to met us, give us a place to stay, and also give us an experience of a lifetime. Russian girls and boys, they all seemed so unfamiliar, quite nerve-wreaking at first. We go inside the school where it’s a little warmer, and slowly but surly we get assigned to our Students, where we very slightly met, mostly only getting there name, age, and a hello in. We then head of with our Russian students to their houses to stay there for the next couple of nights. Approaching the building, it’s clear that the house is an apartment complex of some sort, all of the homes everywhere was like this.  The Small confining elevator that would only fit three at a time took us up to the place. Entering the apartment, I felt the brick wall, hard and cold, but the mood couldn’t have been more different. The father springing up to me us (me and my partner Jimmy Spindler), followed by the older brother. The Smell of pastries of some kind for us, in the warm small kitchen. None of us knew that connecting with people; anyone from anywhere, could be so easy.

      By the end of the night, we had clicked quite well and things were not even a third as awkward as when we met. We all spent the next two full days with these lovely, friendly students, parents, and teachers. Going to school with them, touring the city, visiting yet another church, and just hanging out back at their houses, made for one of the best two and a half days of my life, never to be forgotten.  

Jimmy Spindler, current senior at FHS

When I first came to Russia, I was unsure what was in store for me. I had been told by various adults who had lived through the Cold War that people would be distrusting of me or think that I was corrupt in some way. The reality was very different, and opened my eyes to the beauty in every person, in every country. The people acted just the same way that my mother and father would have acted. They did everything in their power to make me comfortable and were always trying to indulge my customs. I felt more welcome in Russia than I have in many places in America. The sights of the country were gorgeous and I will cherish them for as long as I live, but the real beauty was in the people.

I met a secondary school student named Max Markeev during my stay and he was one of the most well-informed, intelligent individuals that I know. He spoke of American politics and life with a knowledge that many of my peers don’t even have. Every person that I met had this mentality. Each was well-informed, but not judgmental. Our guide respected us and treated us like adults, as did every person that I met on the street. I felt accepted and loved by these people that I had never met. It turns out that human nature transcends distance and communication barriers. This fact seems so obvious, but is so easy to forget.

The landscape itself was just as beautiful as the personality of the country. I looked out over snowy hills, onto ancient and profound monuments. Expansive fields were contrasted with compact cities. Efficient, romantic. That is the best way that I can think of to describe the land: romantic.

Visiting Russia was and always will be one of the best decisions of my life. I came away with a knowledge and understanding of the world that I never could have gotten in America and am all the better for it. My heart goes out to every person I met there, and I hope sincerely that I will see them again someday.

Kaylee Rizzo, current freshman at MCC

Russia was amazing! The beautiful architectures lined with freshly fallen snow gave the bleakest days a surreal way about them. The plane ride over was crazy; looking down and seeing the ocean pass under and turn to land of a distant country was like dream I couldn’t believe I was living. The places we saw were unreal from Red Square in Moscow, to the winter palace in St. Petersburg and everything in between. At first when we stopped in Novgorod I was nervous, granted I had my friends with me and people that I was starting to feel comfortable with, but living with people that didn’t speak my language that well was a little scary at first, but soon I noticed I had nothing to worry about. The kids at the school we visited were so awesome. I feel really honored to have been able to meet them! It was funny because you don’t think about it here because as teenagers we seem to use the word ‘love’ so much but if you say you ‘love’ something or someone they take it as the literal ‘love.’ It was funny finding that out the hard way! But really, if I could have the chance to go back again I would completely!