Since 1994, Bates has had visiting Teaching Assistants from the Russian city of Orel, about 250 miles south of Moscow. Bates' informal collaboration with the Pedagogical University in Orel began in May of 1988, when Professor Costlow first led a group of 15 students to what was then still the Soviet Union. In the years sense, dozens of Bates students have studied Russian, lived with Russian families, and enjoyed getting to know their peers in a small Russian city. Bates Teaching Assistants are recent graduates of the English Department at the Pedagogical University; they bring special training in foreign language pedagogy, and enthusiasm for both Russian culture and learning about the U.S. and Bates students. The Teaching Assistants help out with language classes; provide special tutoring for Russian students; coordinate a weekly Russian Table; and help given Bates students a sense of what life is like for young Russians. The Teaching Assistants aren't just teachers, though – they s take two Bates courses, finding out for themselves what American student life is like.

For more information on individual TA's, click on the names at the left.

Traditional wooden house in Orel

Skyline in Orel

Orlik River in Orel

University in Orel