American Center and Corners

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