The Graduation Ceremony and Celebration of the International Program students

Please read a report with photo here - http://spbcu.ru/en/students/activities/posts/533

International students travel to Vyborg

Posted by Kevin Schur at http://briercrestrussia.blogspot.com/2009/12/trip-to-vyborg.html

I was going to write about an incident that happened a little less than a week ago when a police officer stopped me in the metro and accused me of using marijuana, but since the end of our trip is so near, I thought I'd leave it to tell people in person. It was strange though.

A few days ago we had the chance to visit the city of Vyborg that lies close to the Finnish-Russian border. The city was actually Finnish until it was ceded to the Soviet Union after World War II. The city, although home to over 80,000 residents, felt like a small town. During our visit we got to see a medieval castle, the ruins of catholic monasteries, and the view of the city from a tower in the castle. Here are a few pictures to show what the trip was like:

A Russian Orthodox Church. We got to go inside and hear some of the service.

A Statue of Lenin. There are random statues and faces of him almost everywhere.

I thought this was some funny graffiti, it reads "Give me Power Crash my weakness," an almost poetic quote that also features a perplexed cat looking on. I think graffiti here is generally of better quality than it is back home. (That cat is just so surprised)

A crane working at the dock. The waters and lands as far away as you can see might be Finnish territory.

Here is the old watch tower that's stood in the city from its beginnings.

The castle that was used by Swedish forces in the 18th century to defend against Russian forces. Tsar Peter the Great finally captured the fortress after a long war between Russia and Sweden.

Ruins of a Catholic monastery in the city.

A funny car sitting beside an abandoned wall. I think this is a really Russian photo.

Ping-Pong Tournament held by SPbCU Students

See photos http://spbcu.ru/en/students/activities/posts/525

Last Saturday, on December 5th, 2009, SPbCU students held a Ping-Pong tournament in the gym. The tournament was organized by student community. Its initiation and inspiration came from Kevin, from Briercrest College, Canada, the president of the International Programs students. Seven people participated and competed. There were students from the bachelors, masters, and international programs. With an intense and interesting game, the winner was a freshman student of the Bachelors of Theology program, Lena, who, in the final game, beat the organizer himself, Kevin, twice.

Tea with SPbCU president

Bethel College partners with SPbCU

From: http://www.bethelcollege.edu/academics/overseas/abroad/Russia.php

Move beyond tourism and discover for yourself the mystery, the challenge, and the uniqueness of Russia.   You’re not just a visitor, but a student in a local university.  You’ll visit Moscow, Red Square, and Lenin’s tomb the way our previous students did. 

Core Courses

• Russian Language (6 hours)
• Russian History (3 hours)
• Russian Literature (3 hours)
• Russian Art (3 hours)

Optional Courses

• Private Tutorials (up to 3 hours) 

Cost

• Full Time Tuition
• On Campus Room Board
• An additional Semester Abroad Fee covering airfare and insurance
• You retain 100% of Bethel's Financial Aid!

Exchange Program with Briercrest College

This Exchange Program features one semester of organized study in St. Petersburg, Russia, for students who are currently enrolled in a degree program at Briercrest College. SPbCU provides local professors, dormitory, classrooms and cultural programs. Our students and staff look forward to meeting young Christians from Canada!

About Briercrest College
Briercrest College (Canada) is chartered by the Government of Saskatchewan since 1939 to award degrees at the post-secondary level and is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. It offers Bachelor of Arts degrees since 1988.
Briercrest College is affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, associated with the University of Regina, and is an affiliate member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Briercrest offers a unique blend of courses in Bible and theology, Christian ministry, and arts and sciences which helps the students develop the spiritual and intellectual competence needed to serve effectively in the church and in society.

The facilities at this college provide students with a comfortable learning environment, including a 25,000-square foot library.