A group of Russian students will visit Frederick Community College next week as part of the annual America Abroad program.

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, ten students from Saint Petersburg State University will tour FCC, take part in a meet and greet event, and present to a sociology class on life in Russia.

The visit is part of a two-week trip sponsored by FCC. During their time in the U.S., the students will also tour Frederick County, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. The students will stay with host families in the Frederick area.

The America Abroad program is in its 11th year. As part of the program, students from FCC also visit Russia on a trip that usually takes place in June.

The program was created by Sociology Professor Dr. Marshall Botkin and Dr. Irina Pervova of Saint Petersburg State University to give their students firsthand experience of another culture.

“Taking young people, who are our future, and exposing them to different cultures is really our greatest hope for peace,” Botkin said. “The better we know one another, the more we see the many similarities we all have.”

All those on campus are invited to come to the meet and greet on Tuesday, which will take place from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in H202.

The program will accept FCC applicants for the June trip to Russia until March 1 or when spots become filled. For more information, contact Marshall Botkin at 301.846.2579.