Langley has the longest-running Russian exchange student program in Fairfax County high schools. This program was started by Langley’s own Dr. Valentin Cukierman 1990 and is still running strong today.
“We touched history with our own hands,” Cukierman said of Langley’s trip to the Soviet Union in the 1990s. This year will mark Langley’s 20th trip to Russia. Most years Langley takes about 20 students to Russia, but this year Langley will make FCPS history by sending 32 students.
Some of the students said that they are excited to go, but also scared. Sara Fultz, a junior, said that she is “scared of being taken away,” and Tyler Dean, a senior, said that he is scared of “not fitting in,” but excited to “learn more of the language and have a better understanding of how it is used in everyday life.”
Langley students already talked to their Russian exchange students via email. “She is weird but I guess she doesn’t know the culture here,” said Fultz of her 17-year-old exchange student.
“Students are not only nervous about disliking and being disliked by their exchange students, but of having awkward moments,” said sophomore Celeste Saddler. However, students refuse to allow their fear to get in their way, and remain determined to have a good time.
According to Saddler, Langley’s Russian students will start their “adventure” with two days in Moscow in a hotel. From Moscow, they will go to St. Petersburg and stay with Russian families for a week.
However not only students go to Russia and experience all the excitement. Our own principle, Mr. Ragone, went with the Russian department in 2009. He said it was one of the best trips he has ever been to. Mr. Ragone was “completely surprised by the comfort and good food,” in Russia. “It was nice to see history that I have learned in school right in front of me.” He was also a witness of all the friend ships that formed between students that year.
“Living with Russian families is what really changes them,” said Cukierman. “Langley students learn lessons that go beyond the textbook – lessons that will last a lifetime. Students are exposed to a completely different culture and set of values during their time abroad.”
Taking Russian not only shows Langley students how different they are from Russian students, but it also shows how they are similar. Students from both sides realize that they “look at the world with the same eyes,” according to Cukierman. With all the differences and similarities between the students, there forms a lifelong friendship.