UMaine Business School Trip to Russia, 2009!

Blog #4

Hello folks. Today—Wednesday, 20 May we woke up to a snow storm here in Syktyvkar—ahhh, memories of Maine. Again, another big day—when I travel with students we work and work hard. We began with a visit to the Ethnographic Department of the National Museum of the Republic of Komi and learned about the Kome from about 2000 BC up until today—I could not repeat everything we heard as the level of detail was absolutely astonishing. The interpreter—Zinna had been to Maine and stayed with the Lufkins (who are on this trip) about ten years ago and she and the museum director really gave us a great knowledge of the Komi (who are related by DNA to the Finns and Swedes and not the the Russians.

After that we went to the National Gallery of Art of the Komi Republic (remember that Syktyvkar is the capital of the Komi Republic). Again, not only did we see wonderful art, but the programs that they had for “young artists”—age 6-14 and copies of their work as well.

We went from there to an official signing of our cooperation agreement and then lunch again at the student dining area—cheap, plentiful food (which our students like).

After lunch we had a meeting with the Governor of the Republic of Komi—a big deal and he ran us 30 minutes late (but Governors can do that). I have a recording of the entire event and photographs as well—we did appear on the local news network. We then moved at lightening speed to meet with the Minister of Economic Development for the Republic where we heard about the “Economics of the Komi Republic: Structure, Current State.” Again lots of details and numbers—it is clear from hard data that from a natural resources perspective (forestry, minerals and precious stones and water) that the Komi Republic is a major force in Russia and in Russia’s exports to the world.

After that we had a lecture by Jorg Laineveber, the project manager of Vorga-LLC on the “Peculiarities of the Joint Work of the Russian-American Oil Producing Company on the Territory of the Republic of Komi” (wins the award for the longest title). What made this so interesting is that the project was a failure—it was absolutely refreshing to hear about a project that failed and why—unbelievably fascinating.

We then went to a “Soirée” in the Center of Komi Culture with the host families, there children and our students. We were treated to Komi Music and instruments, to Komi Dancing and other aspects of Komi Culture (including food)—I think it was a great great time for all and a wonderful “group close to our visit to Syktyvkar.

On Thursday we went to Yb—a very old old town in the woods of Komi about 90 minutes away from Syktyvkar (I have no clue as to the direction). The bus ride (and I use the term loosely) was a stomach churning event as we zoomed along roads with potholes the size of small island nations and the driver loved to slam on brakes and swerve back and forth. He also kept the bus heated at about 100° and we were packed in this bus like sardines—we were all grateful when we arrived in the village and fairly leapt out of the bus.

In the village we were greeted by native singers and they performed for us—we got to see some of the Komi art and crafts and then started around the village. We went to a beautiful Church with a commanding view of the village and the river and a convent. The Convent was populated by about 30 cloistered nuns who, when looking at the convent lived in CLOSE PROXIMITY to one another. We also went to a sacred well, drank of the water and washed ourselves in the water (just the face)—the water felt like it was about 32°. We had lunch in a small Komi home in shifts (and I will not even begin to describe the bathroom in the home). A varied mixture of Komi foods and unpasteurized milk to boot.

We then returned home to our various places. Sadly we leave Syktyvkar tomorrow on a 8:20 AM flight to St. Petersburg. Will try to send another email from there. We are in St. P on Friday, overnite, pack up and visit sights all day Saturday and leave for Moscow at 11 PM Saturday evening and arrive in Moscow at 0700 and head to airport for our flight home.

All are well, no souls are lost.

J


John F. Mahon
Dean, College of Business, Public
Policy and Health
John M. Murphy Chair of International
Business Policy and Strategy and Professor of Management



Blog #3

Big day today in Syktyvkar (look that up on the map). We met with officials of the University and were lectured by the Rector (who hates meeting people) for over an hour on his University--and not one question about UM. Sigh--always a bit of a challenge working the international waters.

We have three translators--Natasha (I am reminded of Natasha and Boris from Rocky and Bulwinkle who of course, reported to Mr. Big), Luba and a unnamed third person who has yet to do much translation. I then made a presentation to students and faculty on UM and that was followed by a presentation on the history of the Komi Republic which was quite interesting. We had lunch in the student "preventorium"--not clear why that title--is it to prevent disease? prevent students from eating elsewhere? Borscht Borscht and more Borscht everywhere.

In the afternoon we journeyed to the Chamber of Commerce--more closely like a Trade association--with a great deal of power--no legislation in the Republic can be approved in economics and international trade unless the Chamber gives its okay. We had a lecture on the "Problems of the Development of the Small-Scale Business in Russia.

After that, my favorite organization spoke, we had a representative from "the Administration of the Use of Entrails of the Earth in the Republic of Komi"--hmmm, entrails? Interesting choice of words here. FIgured it was actually natural resources (entrails) and he spoke on "Natural Resources of the Republic of Komi, the Problems of their Explotiation and Use." Was chock full of facts--Komi is in the top 10 (of 90) regions in terms of richness in natural resources in Russia.
Finally, we had a lecture on the "International Program in Ecology and Natural Resources frmo the Ministry of Natural Resources.

I continue to be amazed at the hospitality--one of our students is sleeping on the bed of a young married couple who are hosting him--they are sleeping on the kitchen floor. Another student wanted to iron clothes--and the host (young woman and mom) said don't worry about it--the next morning all of his clothes were washed and ironed and hanging on the door to his room. Several students have had their hosts give them keys to their apartments (no one owns a home amongst our hosts) so that they could come and go--but the hosts are always with them. Another host invited his family from as far away as 100 miles (not km--miles) to celebrate their arrival and welcome them. Almost every family has given our students gifts (average income is $15,000 a year) so this is truly out of what little they have. So far all seem to be enjoying their stays immensely and they are being well taken care of here. I do not know if they fully appreciate how unique it is to stay in a home of a local person and have them as your personal guide, chef, escort, transport and interpreter.

Another big day today---more to come later. Hope you are all well and that life is good.

J.

Blog #2

Sorry for slowness of blogs—internet access in Moscow was surprisingly unavailable (except at McDonalds who offered free wi-fi—but we were never near a McD’s. I will try and do better over the next few days.

Rousted folks out at 8 Am for breakfast—of hot dogs and noodles (an interesting choice). There were also yogurt, peanut butter stuffed croissants, a chocolate covered sweet milk bar and coffee and tea, and cheese on bread and salami on bread (to ensure our breath would be “rich.”

Our coach arrived precisely at 9 (actually it was parked on the street overnight) and we were off.
Well, Svetlana our guide hold up the cultural traditions of Russia. She moves at the speed of light and speaks softly—which is a challenge for a group of 22—but she also has a sense of humor and nationalism. When we went by Gorky Park (yes, that park) she pointed out that the space shuttle the Russians used were there and then dryly noted that their shuttles were better than our shuttles. When she heard some groans from the bus she wryly noted that at least none of the Russian Shuttles were ever lost (ouch)—so she could more than hold her own with this crowd.

We went to see a huge statute of Peter the Great that St. Petersburg refused to take as a gift—it is pretty big and we have pictures to prove it. Right next to the statue was an old style Communist park filled with statutes of Lenin, Stalin, etc. of older Russian times. It was quite interesting and I wished we had more time to stay there.

We toured the city a bit and then went to the Kremlin (means fortress or citadel in Russian) and toured several of the buildings and grounds and went to the Armoury where an enormous number of gowns, crowns, jewels, carriages, and of course Faberge eggs were located. Many of our students were surprised at the Christian History of Russia.

While at the Kremlin we saw a parade/show of horses and marching troops. We also visited several churches (Christ the Redeemer, Michael the Archangel, Church of the Assumption) that were closely linked to Russian Tsarist History. Odd fact, no one knows what “Moscow” means in Russian—it is so far back in time that there are heated debates on what it means.

We had lunch at a food court (amusing to watch students try to read Cyrillic alphabet and even if they could sound it out they could not determine what it was). After lunch walked through GUM—major Russian department store (wedding photos being taken then) to Red Square (red in Russian is considered beautiful, so red square is consider-ed the prettiest square in Russia—it has no association with Communism. Red Square was closed—so we went to the Novodevichy Convent where we heard some singing of Russian Songs. The students surprised me again with their appreciation of the Convent as a place of peace in a noisy city.

That night, Shawn McKenna, a MBS alum took Andrei and I out to dinner with a friend and then he fed 12 of our students dinner as well. After dinner some went to a nightclub (accompanied by the head of the FBI—not a bad escort).

Food in the hotel was plentiful and cheap (which students greatly enjoyed).

Up the next morning fully packed and on our way to visit Tretyakov Gallery—a home of great art work. The guide did an absolutely surpurb job of giving us background on the art and picking out the best pieces for us to see. We passed by metal sculptures where there were hundreds of locks attached—in Moscow, when you get married you go to this bridge and place a lock on the sculpture (like a tree) to indicate the nature of your love for one another and then throw away the key in the river.

Then had lunch in an absolutely beautiful restaurant—looked like a lush green oasis and on to the train station for our 26 hour ride to Syktyvkar.

Many funny things happened on the train ride, for example, Andrei and I put all the other participants in rooms of 4 (20 in total people so 5 rooms) and we took up 2 berths in a 4 berth room. This was a bit of a challenge for us, but the person in charge of our carriage was most helpful here.

You all know my love of coffee and cream (or is it cream and coffee)—well on the train I asked for a cup of coffee with milk (cream is just not available, sigh). I got nearly pitch black coffee and the waitress told me there was milk in it—I looked at here and she said yes, there was milk in it –a single drop. I asked for more and was told that there was no milk on the train until Syktyvkar. I looked at her and she told me if I wanted more milk to “stir harder.” I am still not sure what that meant—but she found it highly amusing.

Arrived in Syktyvkar on time with all host families and friends to greet us—it was absolute chaos—but a fun kind of chaos. Actually, after a heavy schedule in Moscow, the train trip was a welcome respite and then arriving at a time when all could go to their host homes was also good timing. They all got to know one another that evening.

It is coming on to 1:30 AM here and I am fading.

More to come.




Blog #1:

Well, everyone actually arrived between 0645 and 0700 this AM to start the adventure. Thanks to Mike Hastings who got up to give me a ride in and to Michael Eckardt who came and said goodbye to us. It was a nice send off. Got to Portland without incident--went to check in--woman behind counter says "You must use kiosk to check in"--I told her it would not work (why--well multiple people on 3 different reservations, visa requirement to enter)--she told me I was wrong and to just do it--I did, it did not work--and then she asked why I knew it would not work and than was angry in dealing with us.

Got all 22 souls loaded on flight and went to JFK. What a dump--it is an embarassment as a major foreign entry airport--dirty, noisy and in general a disgusting place to stay for any length of time. We had four hours to kill. SO we roamed the airport like gypsies (remember several have never flown in their life on this trip) grabbed some food.

When we went to board the plane, SURPRISE--I was upgraded to business class--I honestly do not know why--but did I suffer grief from my fellow travelers (and will continue to do so)--so I "took"one for the team and enjoyed business class for them all (he he he he). See, occasionally good things happen to me (VERY OCCASIONALLY, so mark it down). Flight to Moscow was uneventful, save for the fact that Russians do not listen/follow directions very well---we were delayed because many would not sit down as we pulled away from gate and waited in line to take off. Interesting.

Arrived in Moscow, and all planes from North and South America have to be cleared by medical authorities. They come on the plane and shoot this rather large and imposing looking gun at your ear and take your temperature. Interesting experience. Exited plane and got the horde thru customs and immigration without incident.

Met our guide, Svetlana, outside immigration with huge sign "University of Maine" and went to our luxury coach--and it was and is a nice coach.

Took us over 1hour to get into Moscow (12-14 million people live there).

Got to our hotel around 1 PM—no name, no clear identification that it is, in fact, a hotel. But it is a nice, functional place—rooms are nice, clean, but not luxurious by any means. Restaurant in hotel serves good food cheap—it could not get any better for students.

Rousted them out at 3:30 to go to other side of Moscow using the Metro to meet with the Head of Development and New Business for Shell, Russia (guy controls a lot of money in invest-ments). Group was sagging from lack of food and sleep (need to toughen them up!!).

Exchanged money and headed back to hotel for dinner. Some went out for a brief walk—at 9 PM it was still light out. Big day tomorrow touring—Red Square, Kremlin, St. Basil’s, Armoury, Novidichy Convent, etc.

We will keep them moving—more to come.

J.


John F. Mahon
Dean, College of Business, Public
Policy and Health
John M. Murphy Chair of International
Business Policy and Strategy and Professor of Management