/Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_2vmsi045wvip5o453zp4sjng_0f3ae265-9b7a-456c-be74-6397a64111c4_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 26 May 2013 00:29:00 GMT 15 By Jessica Tiblin
Mariya Chistyakova is Titan Territory's first ever Russian exchange student. Halfway through her year-long program at Dominion, here is what she has to say about her life as a Titan: Jessica : Why did you decide that you wanted to come live and study in America for a year? Mariya : I actually didn't decide to come here. It was an exchange program and I just took part in that. Actually, I came here to skip school. The American government is paying for me to be here so I came here absolutely free. Jessica : How did your family and friends react to the thought of you moving away for the year? Mariya : My parents were very proud of me because from my area there were five people from 6015 [students] and I was one of five [who were selected to participate in the exchange program]. So it was cool. But my friends, they just miss me very much. Jessica : Describe what it is/was like to make the adjustment from Russia to America. What was the hardest thing to adjust to? Mariya : Actually, it was cool. I just came here and I just like America. There was nothing very hard to adjust to except school at first because of language. And my house parents are from Alabama and they have southern accents-- so that was hard. Jessica : Now that you have been here for almost half a year, what are your thoughts about America? What did you expect when you found out you were coming here? Mariya : I like people in America, I really like them. They are so kind to me, they are so nice to me. I didn't expect that, I was like “wow.” I didn't expect anything, I just decided to come here. Jessica : What are the differences between the school systems in Russia and America. Mariya : I like school [in America], because school is bigger than in Russia and it is more interesting. Our school is smaller and we have 18 subjects and we can choose. Our education is harder and we start on Saturday. We start with six days a week. Jessica : What do you think is your favorite thing about America? Mariya : Everything about America. I think a lot of opportunities, like drama, chorus, and dance team [are my favorite parts] because in Russia we don't have it in school. We have only subjects like science, Russian, English, or math. Jessica : What would you say is the biggest difference between Russian society and American society? Mariya : I think that people in America smile more than Russian people, they are more kind. Jessica : How is your life here different from your life at home? Mariya : Here I am staying at school until nine and I get a lot of volunteering opportunities since we don't have that in Russia. I think it is something that makes me crazy is people who are younger than me have cars and [in Russia] we don't have cars until we're 18! Our driving age is 18. Jessica : Do you ever miss your home in Yaroslavl? Mariya : Yes, I missed them a lot when I was on winter break, especially on the New Year. Not on New Year's night because I didn't have time to miss my home, but on New Year's day. New Year's in Russia was at 2 pm here and my whole family was talking with me on Skype they were celebrating and I was like “I want to, too!” Jessica : How do you deal with any homesickness that you might have? Mariya : I just use the internet a lot... I'm not supposed to do it but I just do it. I'm supposed to use it two times a week for one hour, it's my exchange program rule. Jessica : What is your host family like? How have they made you feel at home? Mariya : They are so nice. They're like my second family I think. They treat me like their own child. They have their own children but they are older. My house brother is living in the basement and my house sister is living in Virginia Beach. Jessica : Do you feel that you are truly experiencing what life is like for an American teenager? Mariya : I think, yes. Jessica : How had Dominion High School and its faculty and students made you feel welcome? Do you like life here? Mariya : They are so sweet! But Dr. Brewer didn't come to my house. Jessica : Do you like life here? Mariya : Yes! I like it, I'm going to miss America so much, so much, so much-- especially Dominion, especially my friends. Jessica : What do you like to do in your free time here? Mariya : Playing with my house family, watching movies, or doing something else. Go shopping! Jessica : What has been your happiest or most exciting moment here yet? Mariya : I think it was after drama and we had [the fall one acts] performance. I think I was happy then, too happy. ]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:18:29 GMT