The academic portion of the Olympiada Study Abroad Program focuses on language training and provides an introduction to the history, literature and culture of Russia.
By: Donna Lukiw
Thanks to fate and a high score on a Russian language challenge, Manville High School senior Marta Fabiyan went on a three-week trip to Russia.
Marta had scored a 95.6 in the March Russian Olympiada competition, but wasn’t automatically set for the prize.
"Two people in my school had higher scores than me but they couldn’t go and I was next in line," Marta said.
Senior Andriy Peteherych and Amalia Cimova, a 2006 Manville High School graduate, were the top finalists and eligible to go on the trip.
The top students or finalists in each state and region of the U.S. Olympiada of Spoken Russian are invited to take part in the Olympiada Study Abroad Program in Vladimir, Russia.
The Olympiada contests allow high school students of Russian to demonstrate excellence in Russian language and test their knowledge of spoken Russian in open competitions. Students may earn gold, silver or bronze medals for demonstrating proficiency at their level of study.
Marta left on June 26 for a student orientation in Washington, D.C., then flew to Moscow and stayed with a host family in the city of Vladimir, about 100 miles east of Moscow, for two weeks.
While in Vladimir, Marta participated in Russian classes and tours around the city.
"We had classes every day and had tours to the different churches and museums," Marta said. "We had Russian teachers that taught us literature and art. The teachers were very nice."
The academic portion of the Olympiada Study Abroad Program focuses language training and provides an introduction to the history, literature, and culture of Russia. After attending classes in Vladimir for two weeks, Marta flew to St. Petersburg and spent three days touring the city.
Originally from Ukraine, Marta was accustomed to the Eastern European culture and traditions but she was impressed with the architecture and art in Russia.
"The Summer Palace consists of amazing gardens and gold statues," Marta said. "There was a fountain that flowed into the Gulf of Finland."
After St. Petersburg, Marta went to Moscow for three days visiting the Kremlin, Red Square and the Metro stations.
"It’s very famous for it’sits architecture," Marta said about the Metro. "It has statues and marbles and it’s amazing."
Besides the museums, churches and different architecture, Marta did notice some cultural differences between Russia and the United States.
"On the street, people keep to themselves," Marta said. "You don’t yell on the streets or attract attention to yourself."
Marta also said the food is different in Russia and you won’t find many places that serve hamburgers and Ffrench fries.
"They had this sandwich with butter and caviar," she said. "A lot of my friends didn’t like it but I’m kind of used to it. There’s more home-cooked meals in Russia."
American Councils of Teachers of Russian fund the costs of the programs the students participate in Russia but Marta had to pay for her own air fare.
Marta said because of Emmanuel Baptist Church parishioners’ donations she was able to go on this trip.
"I would like to thank them for all their love, support and care," Marta said. "They gave me donations for the cost of the plane trip."

