In April 2010, students and staff from St. Gregory the Great High School, located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, will take the ultimate field trip: a spring break trip to Russia. The group includes students and staff from the north and far south and west sides of Chicago: students were selected through a thorough application process and are responsible for fund raising the full cost of the trip, $2800. Two faculty members, Mr. Frank Edgeworth, a fulltime volunteer teacher (through Inner City Teaching Corps) and Ms. Breanne Goldman, a 2008 University of Chicago Fulbright award recipient, will chaperone. The purpose of this student exchange trip, which includes stops in Vladimir, Murom, and Moscow, is to strengthen the relationship between Chicago, Moscow, and surrounding Russian towns. Students in both countries are participating in an exciting digital exchange of videos, music, photos, and blogs about education, daily life, and culture.

While in Russia, the group will visit several high schools and universities to study the similarities and differences between American and Russian education, visit culturally and historically significant landmarks, and learn firsthand the value of cross-cultural exchange as they live with host families. Upon their return, students and staff will conduct local community events and an all-school assembly, where they will share their stories and experiences—and where they will encourage others to visit this region of the world. As a result of their trip, participating students will develop the necessary networking skills to host Russian exchange students in Chicago in Fall 2010.

When asked about what he is most looking forward as he travels to Russia, senior Brian C. replied, “Meeting the students and learning about the schools there,” while junior Latia S. commented, “I’m hoping to learn how to speak Russian and to learn more about the culture (as I travel through Russia).” Richard O., though “excited to participate in Russian holidays and culture,” is “most nervous about the different societal rules and the (really long) plane ride.” Several members of the group have never left the country—or even Chicago—so this trip is a fantastic way for them to learn about a culture unlike their own and to develop friendships with their Russian peers. Indeed, the experiences that St. Gregory students and staff will have while in Russia will more than make up for the (really long) plane ride.