hile at Bucknell, Russian majors may live in a Russian Gateway, a special apartment just for Russian language students, majors and nonmajors, located next door to the Russian language assistant. The language assistant is always a native Russian graduate student from the University of Moscow, working on an advanced degree in language teaching. Part of the job description of the language assistant is to parcipate in the activities of the Russian Gateway, answer questions about the language, and tutor Russian language students when necessary.

Those who live in the Russian Gateways have a constant opportunity to speak the language, watch Russian-language videos or cable TV, play Russian games and international games like Monopoly and Scrabble in Russian. Faculty may join students for evenings in the Gateway Apartments. Often one of the participants is a native Russian who has immigrated to the United States. All the residents share in decorating the apartment with Russian collectibles, helping each other study Russia and Russian, discussing the new Russia, and practicing their Russian. The kitchen makes it a simple matter to prepare Russian food anytime the occupants so desire, for example, for a Maslennica Party. The Russian Club regularly meets in the Russian Gateway and members of the faculty are invited over several times each year.