Language

Haircuts and Hairstyles in Russian – A Vocabulary Lesson

Living abroad brings new challenges to even the simplest tasks, from buying a belt to getting a haircut. When we are presented with a language barrier, an extra layer of uncertainty is added to what would otherwise be straightforward routines. However, knowing a few key phrases and understanding basic cultural expectations can make these experiences […]

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Russian Vocabulary: Haunted Places in Russia

Halloween as a Case Study for Cultural Understanding

Recipes

Tklapi, Pastegh, Lavashak: One Ingredient Fruit Leather from the Caucasus 

Fruit leather is simple, ancient food. Like bread and roasted meat, it likely independently evolved in several places. At its most basic, it is simply mashed fruit smeared to a sheet and left to dry in the sun. The result is a flavor-intensive food that travels well and can keep for months. The oldest known […]

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8,000 Years of Winemaking Lives On in Georgia

Churchkhela, Sharan, and Pelamushi: Desserts Off The Vine 

Holidays

Christianity and Paganism in Russia: Моя Россия Blog

In this text, Tajik blogger Roxana Burkhanova describes, in Russian, the history and current status of Christianity and paganism in Russia as well as touches upon issues of religious freedom. While Orthodox Christianity is the most popular and politically powerful religion in Russia, pagan traditions still survive and other Christian faiths exist. This is part […]

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Berikaoba: Georgia’s Spring Festival Rises Again

Remembrance of WWII and Russian Identity: Student Observations

Talking Phrasebooks

The Talking Azerbaijani Phrasebook

The Talking Phrasebook Series presents useful phrases and words in side-by-side translation and with audio files specifically geared to help students work on listening skills and pronunciation. Below, you will find several useful phrases and words. To the left is the English and to the far right is the Azerbaijani translation. In the center column […]

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The Talking Kazakh (Qazaq) Phrasebook

The Talking Latvian Phrasebook