August 6th was the day the American students and I had to say our good-byes to our friends and Dubna counterparts to our 2004/05 exchange. The day started early when we met the bus in Dubna for the trip to the Moscow airport at 1:30am. One half hour later the tears were still flowing and I was forced to pry our students from their Dubna families arms so we could board the bus. The success of this first year of the 2004/05 exchange was completely clear to all of us. Even though it was night and the lighting was not as day, I was also able to observe the pride the parents expressed on their faces as they watched the emotions overflowing from all of the students as they said their good-byes.
Our trip home was safe and the American students were greeted at the airport by their families bursting with a million stories to tell them about their experience. This experience was made possible in a large part by many sacrifices made by their host families in Dubna and we are all very thankful for their hospitality. Now, we are making the necessary plans for the Dubna students visit to the United States next summer.
As the chaperone I thank the parents and the students for a wonderful first year of our two year exchange.
Bill Trussoni