Tavistock College students travel to Russia to experience its history first hand

TAVISTOCK College sixth form students spent a week in Russia to absorb the country’s rich history in advance of their exams.

The A level History students visited St Petersburg and Moscow to see for themselves the contrasts between Tsarist and communist Russia and visit famous sites such as Red Square and the Kremlin.

Teacher and organiser Di Jones said: “Russia 2010 was a fantastic experience. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time around.

“St Petersburg and Moscow were even more impressive this year because we saw them in extremely cold temperatures. Red Square, the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Tomb with snow and temperatures as low as -16c; it does not get better than that. Our guides were great and I loved seeing the students trying the ice sculpture master class.”

Mrs Jones said all 23 students were well behaved and great company. She thanked them and fellow trip organisers Julie Edwards and Alex Wilson for making the visit a success.

“For me the Winter Palace was the highlight of our time in St Petersburg,” said Mrs Edwards. “Then we had the overnight train to Moscow. The train stopping several times during the night was weird as we were in the middle of nowhere.”

Student Alice Harding said the trip had been an amazing experience which she would never forget. She said St Petersburg was her favourite place as the architecture was stunning and everywhere she looked there was extra added detail.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Yusopov Palace,” she said. “Each room told a different story and with so much attention to detail it was hard to absorb.

“The Winter Palace had so much to offer. To stand in front of works by Picasso, Monet and Van Gogh is the most wonderful thing. Moscow was a very different city, with the old and new mixed together it was difficult to know where to look. The Kremlin was extraordinary and there is only one thing to say when you see it… wow!

“I have often seen photographs of St Basil’s Cathedral and thought how beautiful; I was certainly not disappointed. The coloured domes and carvings made it look like something from a fairy tale, truly perfect. Thank you Mrs Jones, Mr Wilson and Mrs Edwards for making the trip so utterly wonderful.”

Kit Tigwell was similarly enthusiastic about his time in Russia. He said he had enjoyed all aspects of the country’s culture, from being awed and intrigued by the Winter Palace and Armoury Museum, to feeling humbled and honoured by St Isaac’s Cathedral and Lenin in his mausoleum.

“This trip has been eye-opening, fascinating and, above all, great fun,” he added.