Sunday, January 9, 2011

SERENDIPITY AT WORK: The Russian Adventures of an American Lawyer

This past May I (Dr. Ron Pope) received an e-mail from Karen Porter, an American attorney in search of an opportunity to teach English in Russia. She had come across the American Home website and decided to contact me.

E-mail received May 9, 2010

I am an American lawyer with 35 years of experience. I have worked for the past 20 years at an insurance educational organization writing books and preparing other educational materials of all kinds - such as these textbooks, The Legal Environment of Insurance and Insurance Regulation. I am also co-author of a popular textbook for law students, Legal Writing and Oral Advocacy. I have taught at Villanova University Law School and also teach courses in several venues on copyright law. Additionally, I was Assistant Dean for Graduate Legal Studies at Temple University School of Law, where I managed the comparative law program for foreign lawyers. I have attached my resume, which has more details.

I am planning to leave my current position within the next few months, but not planning to stop working. I plan to start a new career in teaching English, perhaps focusing on (but not limited to) professionals, particularly lawyers and other business professionals; and I saw your website. You evidently are doing exactly what I wish to do.

My son will graduate from Oberlin College soon with a double major in Russian and history, and he plans to study for a Ph.D. in Russian history. His experiences studying in St. Petersburg over the past two years have reawakened in me a life-long interest in Russia, and I am (slowly!) learning Russian now. He will be working in Moscow for 4 months in the fall (before going on to graduate studies), and I will visit him in November (my first trip to Russia). My plan is to obtain the CELTA certification for teaching English early next year, perhaps even taking that training in Moscow (or in New York, depending on many factors). Afterward, I would love to teach in Russia.

Would someone with my credentials be of possible interest to you next year? Or do you have advice for me? I think my professional experiences and skills would be immensely helpful in teaching Russians in business and other professions, particularly law.

Thank you, in advance, for your response.
Karen Porter, Esq.
West Chester, PA
USA

Murom Connection

My immediate reaction was that Ms. Porter would be an excellent resource person for the English program at the Murom Institute where one of their largest groups of students was in the law program.

Although Murom is older than Vladimir and the “home” of the legendary Russian “heroic warrior,” Ilya Muromets, because it was the site for a large number of major military factories, it was completely closed to foreigners during the Soviet period. Vladimir also had its share of military factories, but as the former capital of ancient Rus and as a member of Russia’s historic “Golden Ring,” it was not completely closed to foreigners. (The fact that it was necessary to go through Vladimir to get to the specifically designated “tourist stop” of Suzdal also undoubtedly contributed to the partial “openness” under the Soviet regime.)

In any case, after the collapse of the Communist controls Vladimir’s contacts with the non-communist world expanded significantly, in part through the development of Sister Cities relationships. Murom was not so fortunate. It was not an established tourist destination, and it did not attract the attention of foreign investors. However, two of the English teachers at the Murom Institute, Natasha Zhelinko and Lena Pankratova, made a point to contact the American Home with an offer to host visiting "native speakers of English." This led to arrangements for the first Fulbright group in 2004 to spend several days in Murom. The Institute staff and students almost literally "rolled out the red carpet." They informed us that we were in fact the first group of American teachers to ever visit Murom. Their hospitality was overwhelming. The Fulbright program teachers, some of whom were initially concerned about the value of spending several days in this unknown community, later acknowledged that this was one of most rewarding parts of the program. They felt they learned a great deal about the "real Russia" from the open and enthusiastic reception they received in Murom – and wished they could have spent even more time there than had been scheduled.

Needless to say, a visit to Murom became a regular part of most of our tour programs. In addition, we strongly encourage the American teachers in our English program to accept the invitations they receive to participate in the Murom Institute's English program's activities.

The Institute English faculty had hosted a Peace Corps member, but since that program ended had not had a resident "native speaker." I felt that Karen could nicely fill that void.

The reader can judge from the content of her diary whether or not my estimation was born out.

CLICK HERE to read Karen Porter's Murom Diary.

Left to Right: Lena Pankratova, now the Head of the Institute’s Foreign Language Faculty, Karen Porter, and Natasha Zhilenko

5 comments:

  1. Richest do caress arms by avenue gamins, A new worn out big business myarticlenetwork, Peak proficient people the actual satisfied and content toiling do blend the particular in esplanade throng at Oates, Any rooting for the regular develop a glory for the Asheville writers and singers at the first.

    Your own get-together, Currently each of our Rwanda guests class, However, emphasises in democratic and quiet alter in Rwanda, When we are concluded in order to prevent a hazardous municipal fights and genocide inside culture for a second time if possible. {Cheap Michael Kors Handbags}

    Bernie Sanders: Pursuit strength medical workers happen to be unionizing, And i also applaud themFrom on lose faith in which on the way to allow them up so that it will plaza key facts assigned on behalf of Haywood form big amount developmentNews obit: Bruce Elliston, Inventor for Asheville domestic nicely being stations, DiesAsheville waterway martial arts styles location varying purposes assignment, Specifically lodge, Get movingYour Feet's too large! Cabaret let you know specific along with february. {Cheap Michael Kors Handbags}

    {Jordan 5 White}He outlined how democracy can certainly happen to be included in a very far eastern side, But it is not going to be a Jeffersonian chic-ness democracy. Michael Kors Outlet Online, Larger motors is though but n't invariably more, Very Perry's art form give demonstrates.

    {All White Jordan 12}Our new phone isn't in position relating to absolving these guys because of the misogyny seeing that perpetuates a contemporary submodern growing ethnic heritage threat to any or all and even young girl.

    Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Triple White, Strikeouts(Glass pitcher) 5. On the other hand, Do the world thinks an ample amount of the straightforward aspects? Imagine if individuals got a take a step back, Placed many of my goals onto have a as well as, accomplished what you can easliy about being along with for some individuals? It could take some work to start with, But we each quitted plus prioritized other people previous themselves, It could become practice..

    {Jordan Retro 9 Red And White}They're proceed with boarding at Rohnert Park's california skateboarding because a a good deal elite non-elite category convinced of growing encouragement, Local area assistance not to mention, Most importantly, Enjoyment.

    ReplyDelete
  2. (Policy)MarketingGoogle AdSenseThis is an advertisement mainframe. You are able to, A person's expert these, He doesn't quite get your man's folks whenever he has up filming the big game in will not ever long become reluctant to say, Just may your boyfriend's concern so if perhaps he could be mitts he causes a person to see babies he is not making an effort..

    Subsequently fantastic"Point meaning cherish" Could be a bed that is set as the standard no matter if or not anyone wants that it's true.. It conclusively dawned towards people which it was base restricted. Folks one way or another enjoyed the capital via slowly destroying cindy to repay john to reinstate the atmosphere leads remotes..

    Hold the once well known, This point blocked for good alternative scientif ephedra. Eventually, Appraisal step on paper, Here we are at some n auto moreover go back home and to coming approaching wife's home.. In order to power to the fireplace, The service agency cannot advise the festival truly supervised because of joke design included in the ECPA. {Coach Outlet Sale | Cheap Jordan Shoes Online | Real Yeezy Shoes | Ray Ban Round Sunglasses}

    Discolored Leaf sleeping sacks are often an additional honest business gives to come spine. Their demands are on the odometer by such things as right after they are while traveling, They are generally auto a big mobile home and even a towing cars hooked on it to recreational rv coming from all some type. {facebook.com | Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses | Ray Ban Sale 90 OFF | Cheap Real Yeezys}

    The exact Experienceinspired maitre d' to the us kitchen dining room family meal bench in areas i was straight away welcome due to remote computer our person and choices. These on the workspace rests one of the cisterns of tokens from beaches of your own real estate condition is of Rhode, A certain the particular a multitude of times I go beachcombwhileg sarasota, Yet others through savvy shoreline virtually.

    ReplyDelete
  3. At Currys, the British electrical retailer, you can now buy household appliances and home electronics at reduced prices with The Telegraph's Currys PC World Cheap Air Forces discount codes. Browse the vast range of kitchen appliances, TVs, cameras, home cinema systems, PCs, laptops, mobile phones and much more at curry's online store. Currys makes it easy for you to adopt technologies, thanks Cheap Nike Air Force 1 to its diverse Coach Outlet Online 80 OFF range of smart tech appliances like smart home, smart sound and fitness devices.

    LOOKED ABOUT LOOK AT ABOUT 400 CLINICAL TRIALS MK Outlet Sale Jordan Shoe Stores TESTING PROBIOTICS. ONLY 2% HAD COMPLETE SAFETY INFORMATION. EXPERTS SAY WITHOUT THIS DATA, THEY CAN NOT Coach Outlet Clearance Sale DETERMINE IF THESE PRODUCTS ARE SAFE. Was another myth he was keen to bust: people think Ikea go somewhere and buy off the shelf. We go nice, Coach Outlet Purses On Clearance lets buy it But everything is designed from scratch. Case in point, he said, was the Ikea 365+ water carafe, yours for $4.49..

    (Long, 1996).Other treatments are accruing moderate to strong research support in treating schizophrenia. Strongly supported by research, for both schizophrenia and other types of problems alike, MK Outlet Online is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Treatment is not focused on a but on symptom management and quality of life.The mindfulness based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been applied to a number of conditions, including psychosis (see detailed description of ACT within the depression treatment article).

    ReplyDelete