July 10-27, 2008

C-RS is announcing its first Lemko-Rusyn Language Study Abroad program.  It is the first such program ever to take place in the Carpatho-Rusyn homeland.  This pilot program is being held in the town of Gorlice, a Lemko-Rusyn cultural center located in the Lemko Region of Southeastern Poland. 

The focus of this program is to learn basic, conversational Lemko-Rusyn while living the Lemko-Rusyn experience—and to have fun doing so.  In addition to learning to speak the Lemko-Rusyn language, you will learn to read and write it in both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. 

To ensure maximum interaction and personal attention, enrollment is limited to 10-15 people.  .

Included In the Program

•   Round-trip economy airfare from Newark to Krakow on LOT Polish Airlines

•   Round-trip transportation from Krakow to Gorlice

•   First class and tourist-class hotels in Gorlice and Krakow

•   All breakfasts and class-day lunches

•   Welcome and graduation dinners

•   Classes in the historical and recently restored Ruska Bursa (Rusyn High School) in Gorlice

•   Up to 60 hours of classroom instruction by native Lemko-Rusyn teachers

•   All learning materials

•   A Lemko-Rusyn language CD to take home and continue practicing

•   Traditional Kermesh in the mountains above Wysowa

•   Annual Lemko Vatra in Zdynia

•   Instruction in how to make pirohi, paska, and pysanky the traditional way

•   Lessons in learning to sing traditional Lemko-Rusyn songs

•   Occasional evening parties

•   Free time to visit relatives, ancestral villages, go hiking, or just relax

•   Optional trips to places of interest

•   Free day in Krakow prior to return home

Our primary instructor and leader of this program is Halina Malecky, a native Lemko-Rusyn and teacher who is a local guide on the C-RS Lemko Homeland Tour.

Pricing and Enrollment

Details and prices are still being finalized.  But we estimate the price will be around $2800 per person, based on a minimum of 10 students, double-occupancy and round-trip coach airfare from Newark.  Even though the U.S. dollar remains weak against the growing strength of the Polish economy, this price is still a bargain, considering everything that’s included.

If you are interested in signing up for the Lemko-Rusyn Study Abroad program or have any questions, please call me at (310) 473-8522 (Pacific time zone) or e-mail me at lemkotour@c-rs.org. 

Details and complete itinerary

Note:  In order for the program to go forward, we must have at least 10 people signed up by March 27.  We cannot enroll more than 15 people.

Nancy Revak

C-RS Los Angeles