1. American Center and Corners Kore Gleason, Director American Center – Moscow

2. What are American Centers? U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) U.S. Embassy (Public Affairs Section) Goal: Develop long-term mutual understanding between the United States and host country

3. Russia 5 American Centers (Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don and Tomsk) 23 American Corners – and more soon! 200,000 patrons a year

5. Library – U.S. public library system – More than 12,000 books – Reference Desk (non-fiction, research) – 70 U.S. periodicals – Databases: ProQuest and JSTOR – Free access to the Internet

6. Cultural Center Events free to public focusing on aspects of U.S. life (i.e. politics, economics, arts, sports, education…) – Guest Speaker series – Conversation Café: U.S. Embassy officials – Films – Concerts – Art exhibits – Discussion groups: literature club, public speaking club, art therapy – English 1:1 courses – Education Advising Center – Business workshops: resume writing, grants proposals, non-profit management – Professional exchanges, youth exchanges, sports exchanges, leadership exchanges

7. American Stereotypes and Values

8. Что такое « skit » ?

9. Common Stereotypes About Americans Always SMILING Boastful/arrogant Hardworking Informal Lazy Wealthy Impatient Extravagant/wasteful Ignorant/dumb Insensitive Loud/obnoxious Racist Rude/immature Always in a hurry

10. Is it true? Well, it depends.

11. Common Stereotypes About Russians NEVER smile Always drink vodka Rude Don’t work at all Have no desire to cooperate Olympics athletes Scientific Wear fur hats all the time Best friends are bears Mafia-like men: wearing black leather jackets

12. Is it true? Well, it depends.

13. _____________________________ The problem with a stereotype is that it makes an over generalization about an entire people – based on interaction with only a few people. There are far more differences within one particular group than between two groups – Americans vs. Russians – Americans vs. Americans

14. Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance Desire and the ability to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized authority The cost of this freedom: self-reliance – Learn to rely on themselves – Solve their own problems and “stand on their own two feet” – Achieving financial and emotional independence Many leave parents/family as early as possible, by ages 18-21

15. Equality of Opportunity and Competition Generations of immigrants have traditionally been drawn to the United States in the belief that everyone has a chance to succeed Each individual should have an equal chance for success Result: competition

16. Hard Work and Material Wealth Many Americans are offended by the word materialistic – Only think about things and not deeper values (i.e. religion) At the same time, most people strive for the “American Dream” – House, car, family High work ethic: hours, days, not-for-pay

17. Generosity Volunteering Charity Working for causes/mission, not profit Personal Space/Privacy Circle of trust Close doors, individual rooms

18. Punctuality Arriving late is frowned upon Arrive early by 10-15 minutes Casual Independent style Comfort Jeans, jeans, jeans