student safety in St Petersburg

[Robert Chandler]

I wholeheartedly agree with EVERYTHING that Graham says here.

Robert Chandler

> Colleagues,
> 
> African American students (and other minorities) in St. Petersburg and
> Moscow definitely face safety issues that white students do not. We do
> not do these students a service when we tell them that cities like St.
> Petersburg and Moscow are like any large city in the US - they aren't.
> Students of color may well encounter much more overt forms of racism in
> these cities than they are used to experiencing in the U.S., and at
> times, these strains may be quite aggressive. Students of color bound
> for these cities should receive an extensive orientation, during which
> study-abroad staff talk at length about potential dangers stemming from
> racism and ways to avoid these hazards. Ideally, in my view, these
> discussions should be held with all students present, so that white
> participants learn about the issues that minority students face and are
> ready to support their peers if problems do occur. Perhaps even more
> importantly, study abroad programs need to help minority students
> connect with Russians while abroad. This, I would argue, is one of the
> most important factors in determining how these students fare: when they
> have genuine Russian friends (usually found through a host family or a
> Russian university) who spend extensive time with them, the likelihood
> of these students encountering serious safety problems declines greatly.
> To be sure, this does not mean such students will not encounter
> difficulties and challenges, but in addition to helping minority
> students avoid potentially dangerous situations, Russian friends provide
> a vital means for these students to process the less threatening but
> still unsettling racist interactions they will likely experience.
> 
> I would add that while minority students should be given a complete
> understanding of the challenges they will likely face, these students
> should not by any means be discouraged from studying abroad in cities
> like St. Petersburg. Minority students have often commented to me that
> studying abroad in Russia was among the most rewarding experiences of
> their lives, despite the considerable challenges. It is essential,
> however, that these students be both well-prepared and well-supported.
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Graham Hettlinger
> Associate Director, Summer Study Abroad
> Georgetown University
> 
> 
> Rozov, Mr. Aleksander wrote:
>> Perhaps, the best advise would be to proceed with caution. Students should
>> avoid venturing into the remote parts/neighborhoods of the city, otherwise
>> known as "Spalnie Rayony" especially in the evening and at night.
>> Other than that, Saint Petersburg is just like any other metropolis. It is
>> relatively safe, and although racial crimes do occur, they do not occur as
>> frequently as the media portrays them at times, blowing it out of the
>> proportion. 
>> In short, Saint Petersburg has a lot of "monority groups" working, visiting,
>> and studying.... So your students wouldn't be feeling isolated.
>> 
>> Hope that was helpful
>> ________________________________________
>> From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
>> [SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Sibelan Forrester
>> [sforres1 at SWARTHMORE.EDU]
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 1:03 PM
>> To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
>> Subject: [SEELANGS] student safety in St Petersburg
>> 
>> Dear colleagues,
>> 
>> I recall a discussion on this list a few years ago about safety issues
>> for minority American students studying abroad in Russia, and would like
>> to ask for any comments on the current situation for foreign students in
>> St. Petersburg. Can I tell my student's parents that she can be
>> reasonably unconcerned if she behaves sensibly? Anything else an advisor
>> should pass along?
>> 
>> Please send replies to sforres1 at swarthmore.edu
>> 
>> I'll be happy to summarize for the list if there is sufficient interest.
>> 
>> Best wishes,
>> 
>> Sibelan
>> 
>> 
>> Sibelan Forrester
>> Swarthmore College
>> 
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