It’s really hard to believe, but it has been a little over a year now since I have been living here in Ufa. Looking back on that year it seems as if time flew by. However, I remember times during that year when I felt as if the days could not be going by any slower. Especially during those cold winter days or on those days when people just look at you like you are stupid because you can’t explain what you need. In those moments, life was not so pleasant and I only wished it could go by faster. Overall, I am pleased with the things I have encountered and the people I have built relationships with. I think one of the biggest things that I learned was that the worldview here is different. Not long ago, one of my friends and I decided to start a group in which we listen to and discuss songs that are in English. We invite young adults and students in order to increase their English vocabulary, discuss meanings behind songs, and to hang out and get to know one another better. Thanks to this group, Friday nights has become one of my favorites. It is through this group that I have really learned a few things on the way people see and perceive life. I remember discussing the song Everything by Lifehouse in which the songwriter writes about a person, but never includes a name or gender. When I read the lyrics I was positive that the songwriter was writing about God. To my surprise, most of the group suggested that the songwriter was writing about a woman that he loves. This was not the only instance in which this happened. You see, it’s a difference in worldview. I could have asked anyone in America who they thought the song was talking about and 95% of the people would say God. But here it was the opposite. About 95% said it was about a woman. Being a student here at the Bashkir State University has been a real privilege. The professors that I have come in to contact with are just great. They really care about us students and it is obvious that they want us to succeed. I have had opportunities to participate in plays on campus and share some American traditions and customs with other students. Studies were not always easy. There were many days when I just prayed that God would give me the motivation and strength to get to class and make it through. There were days after class when I would feel mentally dead and need to go home and sit for 30 minutes or so about nothing in order to regain my ability to function. However, I can say that it was all worth it. This language is helping me to better communicate with a group of people that I otherwise would not have had the chance to speak with. Praise God for that! I am very grateful for the amount of time that I have been able to live here and really enjoy what Ufa has to offer. God has blessed me during this year with good health and energy to be able to really get to know the people and be a part of their lives. During the next year that I have in front of me I hope to continue to learn more about the Russian culture and get to know more people. Kelly Warters