The Center of Columbian-Russian Studies of the Department of International Trade of the University of Santo Tomas (Centro de Estudios Colombo-Ruso de la Facultad de Negocios Internacionales) in Bogota, Columbia opened on May 20, 2014. Courses on Russian language and culture are taught by Alina Shuliko. Classes are held three times a week in two groups of 16 and 11 students from various departments of the university.
Since the Russian language is of an order of magnitude more complicated than English, German and French, the most popular foreign languages in Latin America, it is very important to use the right teaching methodology to stimulate the desire to learn among students which have shown an initial interest in studying Russian.
Alina Shuliko has handled this task wonderfully. The lessons are not only held at the university, as the students also are regularly invited to various events at the Russian Embassy and the Leo Tolstoy Institute of Culture, where the Russkiy Mir Foundation has opened a Russkiy Mir Cabinet. The students were particularly interested in the lecture “Where Is Ukraine Going”, Festival of Russian Cuisine and Festival of Russian Culture and Music.
In the first semester of 2015, 29 students from various departments signed up for the courses. Together with the Russian Embassy and Leo Tolstoy Institute of Culture a conference was held in March titled “World War I – the Prologue to World War II”. The film “Blockade” was shown as part of the conference program. In late April the second Festival of Russian Cuisine will be held and a celebration of Russian folk songs and dances is planned for May.
Center of Columbian-Russian Studies, Bogota
