A group of Russian teachers, along with a Russian college student, visited Jamestown as part of an annual “Immersion Experience” in the country. Pictured, from left, are Tanya, Ganna, Valya, Dick Johnson, Matthew Hanley, Susan Hice, Tanya, Kate and Olga, Jenny. Submitted photo

A group of six Russian teachers, along with a Russian college student, arrived in Jamestown for a tour of schools, colleges, government and social services organizations.

This is at least the 20th group to make the trip from Perm, Russia, to Jamestown as part of an Immersion Experience. This cultural immersion is very useful to them as most of them are English teachers, so they will now have hands-on experience in an English-speaking country. The culmination of their 10 days in Jamestown is a Russian dinner, which they put on for the community this coming Saturday 6 p.m. at Levant Wesleyan Church. Featured food is always friendly to the American palate and, this year, features beef stroganoff.

The American entire experience of this group lasts about four weeks. It begins with a weekend in New York City; a week at Houghton College; a trip to Niagara Falls; 10 days in Jamestown; and, finally, five days in the Washington, D.C. area. Everywhere they go they stay with families, so they can experience the culture from the inside.

The group leader this year is Olga Fetyukova. In addition to coming last year, Olga was in Jamestown several years ago as part of a youth orchestra that was brought to town by Nina Karbacka and the Jamestown Public School music parents association. She teaches Russian literature at an English specialty school in Perm.

Ganna Shirokova is a Russian citizen who was educated in Bulgaria but now teaches English at Classical University in Perm; Ganna is very interested in the social aspects of the American idea.

Elena Diachkova is a senior teacher of English who wants to visit churches and church events. Tanya Podvintseva teaches English at the Perm Cadet Police Corps. school and wants to be able to share with her students what she has seen “with her own eyes.” She is, of course, very interested in a trip to visit the Jamestown Police Department.

Jenny (Geniia) Agadullina has traveled to several other countries and is very interested in sharing about her own country at the Russian Dinner as she also learns about ours. Valya Oshmarina is the only participant with children of her own; she is an English teacher from the nearby town of Chaikovskiy (named after the famous Russian composer) and recently won the municipal teacher of the year award. She really wants to “take a dip” in local traditions, then teach her students what she sees in America.

Last but not least is Kate Aleksandrova, a college student from Perm who very much wants to improve her English and grow in her confidence as she meets this new challenge.

Their tour of the area, arranged by Joyce Klau, includes visits to the following locations: Jamestown mayor’s office; police and fire departments; the Seneca Indian Reservation and Museum; Jamestown Community College; UPMC-WCA Hospital; the Gateway Center; BOCES and Children’s Safety Village; Chautauqua Lake Central School; and area churches, among others.