By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

MILFORD - A group of Russian women shared their impressions of American lifestyles and democracy with students here Wednesday, wrapping up a whirlwind one-week tour hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Yekaterina (Kate) Kolyadina enjoys a laugh with some of the students while talking about food. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

The women said they got a warm welcome everywhere they went.

Nadezhda Uraskina, a director of scientific research for the Institute of Public Education in Russia, said through an interpreter that at first she was concerned about the language barrier. "But even without a common language, we were able to communicate, and I felt such warmth, as if I were in my own home," she said

She was one of three women who came to Clermont County as part of the Open World Russain Leadership Program. The program, sponsored by the U.S. Library of Congress, is intended to expose female leaders from Russia to U.S. government and communities.

The League of Women Voters of Clermont County was one of five chapters in the country selected to host the group.

Mrs. Uraskina, joined by Raisa Sabirova, Tatyana Voronova and their facilitator, Yekaterina Kolyadina, arrived in Cincinnati Oct. 30. Joined by a translator, Galina Berchenko of Cincinnati, they have observed the workings of the county, local government and the structure of American communities.

Their schedule has been packed with potlucks, tours of government buildings, including the State House and the Ohio Supreme Court, observing elections and even handing out Halloween candy. They return to Russia this morning.

At Milford High School, more than 60 students at a time crammed into a classroom to ask questions, ranging from what they think of the pending war in Iraq and the recent hostage situation in Moscow to their opinions of American food, and the kinds of music and entertainment Russians enjoy.

Mrs. Voronova, a 27-year-old political youth organizer for the majority party in Russia, shared with the students how many Russians felt after the Sept. 11 tragedy.

A woman who moved from Russia to Milford four years ago, Svetlana Klette, also participated in the event, and was able to share her comparative viewpoint of the two cultures with the students, especially when they asked about the women's thoughts on American food and McDonald's.

"In Russia, most families eat home cooked meals, and fast food is a relatively new thing," she said. "It's more expensive than to eat at home."

Mrs. Sabirova, who works for Motherland, a charity that raises money for orphans in Russia, said one of her favorite experiences was visiting the Ohio Statehouse.

"To see where votes are made was impressive and put me in awe," she said through Mrs. Berchenko.

But for Mrs. Uraskina, a teacher before taking on her post, spending time with the high school students was the most interesting. With her own 13-year-old daughter in mind, she asked about what sports American girls like to play, and answered the students' questions about Russian fashion and whether teenage girls are concerned about their appearance.

For her, the program has been worthwhile and exciting and very fitting for its name.

"America was very open to us to truly discover what it is like to be here," she said through the interpreter. "And (I) hope we can organize something in Russia to host Americans and be as hospitable to show them about our country."