Summer learning continues with visiting Russian professor at York College
Posted August 2, 2004FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olga Leontovich's passion for intercultural communication has led her to reverse her usual focus - teaching her Russian students about American culture - to introduce a group of American students at York College of Pennsylvania to her native, Russian culture.
York College welcomed Leontovich as a visiting professor to instruct 20 students enrolled in both day and evening classes for the current summer semester. With her extended research focused on intercultural communication between Russia and the United States, which includes publishing two books on the topic and a Dictionary of U.S. Life and Culture, Leontovich provides an enhanced educational experience. This broader and native perspective of Russian culture reflects York College's support of a holistic approach to education while understanding the importance of such academic opportunities supported by social and recreational opportunities.
Leontovich hopes her Introduction to Russia course reveals a country often enigmatic in the minds of Americans. "I want people to take something with them that they didn't know before," she explains.
Leontovich comes to York from the Volgograd State Pedagogical University, located in Volgograd, or the former Stalingrad. As director of the American Studies Center, a portion of the school of foreign languages, Leontovich teaches students about aspects of American culture and the importance of intercultural communication. She encourages her students to learn through experience and often schedules videoconferences and teleconferences with classes in the United States. This allows the students to have contact with native speakers and provides them with a new perspective. "They've been telling me that they've been able to understand their own culture better," explains Leontovich.
Leontovich's York College students also recognize the importance of perspective when learning about another culture. "I was pleasantly surprised that our professor is actually from Russia," says Leslie Goldsborough, an English major who will be entering her junior year this fall. "It's pretty cool that we get a first hand perspective."
Pictured above: Olga Leontovich shares a moment with her students that translates the same in both cultures.
