1/19/2006
Our international view
I have written here a number of times about our long-term exchange with our sister newspaper in Siberia, the Kuznetsk Worker. from 1996 to 2002, 13 journalists, students, teachers and professors from Washington County visited Russia, and nine Russians - including Rita Stakovich - visited here. During that time, through articles written by the participants in the exchange, our readers learned much about life in Russia and about the character of Russian people.
Last year, in a U.S. Department of State program administered by the International Research and Exchange Board, a Croatian journalist - Lada Kalmeta - spent two weeks here at the Observer-Reporter as an intern reporter. She left a profound impression on all of those she came in contact with - her co-workers here, the residents of Cokeburg, Duquesne University students, our readers and the regulars at Café Bean.
And so, it was with enthusiasm that we greeted a letter last summer from IREX that asked: "Are you interested in an exchange with a partner in Ukraine?"
(Tomorrow: "Off to Kiev")
