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Discovering Russia—
Land of History and Change

"Parts are dirty and crowded," said Catherine Valcourt, who just returned from Russia with a group of Gallaudet University Discovery staff. "But I loved the place."

Valcourt is a production editor with Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University. She went to Russia as part of the Discovery Program with Jean Berube, teacher at Gallaudet University and founder of the program, and five other Discovery instructors.

The Discovery Program teaches positive self esteem, leadership, and teamwork through hands-on activities in workshops. Berube, Valcourt, and the Discovery instructors presented the workshops at two school prisons, an orphanage, a deaf school, a university, and a theatre for young people.

The workshops presented participants with mental and physical challenges. Using their imagination and working in teams, the Russians learned trust, patience, and respect for other people. They also built their confidence and self esteem.

One of the places that Valcourt worked was a boys' prison.

Ball in hand, boys pose in their prison school in St. Petersburg. More photos.

"This was the boys' last chance," said Valcourt. "Most of them were good kids in bad situations. They came from families with problems."

She was impressed by the character of the Russian people.

"What they lack in material things, they give in warmth and friendship," she said.

Valcourt felt that the boys benefited from the workshops. "You can never be sure who you touched the most, but I know we had an impact there," she said. "They had almost nothing, but they gave us small gifts when we left. One boy gave me a red tie and another boy gave me a wooden whistle as a thank-you. Other instructors received things such as a medal and a small book."

The Russian boys also saw how the deaf Americans worked through interpreters. The Russian language was translated into spoken English; then English was translated into American signs.

"Even though the culture is different, the people were pretty much the same," said Valcourt.

The Discovery instructors had free time while they were there, too. They used it to tour Moscow and St. Petersburg. They saw Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the palaces of Russia's former rulers. The hardest part of the journey?

"Adjusting to the food, learning to ignore the cockroaches--and leaving," said Valcourt.

For more information about the Discovery Program, contact Jean Berube, jsberube@gallua.gallaudet.edu
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Ave. N.E.
Washington D.C. 20002.

General comments may be sent to: ISCS.ClercCenter@gallaudet.edu

Discovering Russia—Land of History and Change

Discovering Russia—
Land of History and Change