A simple 3-step process for students and a layered, intense, multi-team execution model for EdTerra, Young Authors Program lays the foundation for students to understand teamwork, leadership, communication skills and cultural awareness altogether. It allows them to research, analyze and articulate their findings, thoughts and ideas in the shape of a high-end publication that they author and shoot.

1. TM
Student Travel Review
Co-authored by students as part of
EdTerra’s Young Authors Program

2. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or any means,
electronic or mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the copyright
owner.
To know more about our student media
projects, please visit our website:
www.edterra.com
COPYRIGHT C 2019
EDTERRA EDVENTURES PVT. LTD.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

3. Student Travel Review
Co-authored by students as part of
EdTerra’s Young Authors Program

4. There is no shame in not knowing.
The shame lies in not finding out.”
- Russian Proverb
“

5. At Montfort School, Delhi, we believe that there is no substitute for ‘education through action’
and that exploring places, people, cultures, economic opportunities, and technological
advancements through travel, complements and completes the educational experience.
This philosophy matches our endeavour to create responsible global citizens and dynamic
leaders by bringing the knowledge of the world to the classroom as well as encouraging
students to go out into the world. These two methods are critical to create the three pillars
of global citizenship based on empathy, understanding, and international collaboration.
In line with this mission, our students recently went to Russia. We chose this program titled
‘Russia: Behind the Iron Curtain’ for its focus on providing students useful exposure to
history and culture of this vast country. They visited several places in the cities of Moscow
and St. Petersburg including the Red Square, the Kremlin, the State Hermitage Museum, and
the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics. To augment the broader program, we selected the
Young Authors Program, which ensured students’ engagement and immersion. This Student
Travel Review is an outcome of this collaborative and exploratory module that our students
of Montfort School, Delhi, actively participated in. It captures the entire journey in students’
own words and photographs. It even showcases their learning from this engaging journey to
one of the world’s most advanced nations.
I would also like to recognise the efforts of EdTerra Edventures, a company that is well
aware of co-curricular and extra-curricular goals in addition to the developmental needs
of students. We acknowledge the contribution of their staff, especially their on-journey
educator, the Journey Mentor, and Visa Assistance Services. Their professionalism has
resulted in an effortless, safe, and enriching travel experience for each one of us and for the
group. Each parent may feel proud of this publication that will keep reminding their wards of
their achievements and capabilities, all lifelong.
Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Bro. Thampy Alex
Principal
Montfort School, Delhi
Dear Reader,
FROM
THE
PRINCIPAL’S
DESK
Bro. Thampy Alex
Principal

6. Nothing is more permanent than
a temporary solution.”
- Russian Proverb
“

7. An educational journey to foreign lands always induces learning and excitement among
young and inquisitive students. When the destination is as diverse as Russia, one can only
imagine the myriad ways in which Indian students would absorb and construct learning
out of the many differences and similarities that mark the cultures and people of India and
Russia.
For EdTerra, an educational journey is about enabling students to construct knowledge
through a meaningful encounter with a new culture, without diluting their fun and excitement
or restricting their wandering, curious minds. EdTerra achieves this through its Program
Development Team (PDT), which comprises both Indian and international experts. The PDT
carefully designs culturally neutral projects that enable students to meaningfully observe,
record, and articulate their impressions. These tools are deployed through a process that
encourages teamwork and meaningful discussions besides recording observations through
digital means, all of which is finally synthesised into a media product that showcases the
ideas and learning of the students.
This Student Travel Review, ‘Russia: Behind the Iron Curtain’, is one such media product that
captures the learning of the students of Montfort School, Delhi, on their journey to Moscow
and St. Petersburg. This book serves as a window into Russia, especially valuable for those
students, peers, and parents who could not be a part of the program. It showcases the
intellectual and creative capacities of the students, the credit for which is rightfully due to
their parents and school.
EdTerra Edventures would like to thank Montfort School, Delhi, for their efforts and support
which made this educational journey possible, with a special mention to the Principal Bro.
Thampy Alex for guiding us. EdTerra would also like to thank the accompanying teachers for
being so dynamic and enthusiastic. Their energy made our work easy, and more importantly,
made for a more memorable journey for the students. We encourage you to read and re-live
the learning and adventures of these students through the words and photographs that
follow.
Sincerely,
Amita Bajaj
Editor, Students Publication
Dear Reader,
MESSAGE
FROM
EDTERRA
Amita Bajaj
Editor,
Students Publication
R

8. Eyes are the mirror of the soul”
- Leo Tolstoy
“

9. OURJOURNEY...............................................10
INDEX
ST.PETERSBURG...........................................18
MOSCOW...................................................34
MOSCOW METRO.......................................... 42
EDTERRA MOMENTS..................................... 50
ABOUT THE AUTHORS.................................. 54
THE STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM................26

10. No one can arrive from being talented alone, work
transforms talent into genius.”
- Anna Pavlova
“

12. We went on an educational trip to Russia. Initially, all of us were
anxious yet excited to visit Russia. The departure at midnight
was a fearful experience but we looked forward to visiting
Russia. Our group was closely held together by a strong bond of
companionship.
After landing in St. Petersburg, we began a tour of the whole city.
St. Petersburg is essentially a port-city located on the Neva River.
It is Russia’s second-largest city and also a major cultural hub. The
city was known as Petrograd from 1914–1924 and Leningrad from
1924–1991. The city boasts an area of about 550 square miles
and a population of nearly 5.4 million.
We were captivated to see the magnificent buildings of St.
Petersburg. We visited several important places such as the State
Hermitage Museum and Peterhof Palace. The State Hermitage
Museum consists of several buildings, that were established by
Empress Catherine II in 1762. We also boarded a cruise ship along
the Neva River. In St. Petersburg, we also visited the Church of the
Saviour on Spilled Blood and other places that were historically and
culturally relevant. There were several beautiful mosaic paintings
inside the church. Attending a workshop on painting Matryoshka
dolls was another interesting experience. Then we boarded the
Sapsan bullet train heading towards Moscow.
Moscow, the capital of Russia, is rooted in rich history. Home to
Kremlin, the seat of administration of the Russian Federation,
Moscow is known for a number of places such as Saint Basil’s
Cathedral, Red Square, and Kremlin Wall. The Seven Sisters (or
seven skyscrapers) is another significant architectural marvel
that Moscow is known for. The Moscow Metro is another example
of architectural brilliance with its uniquely themed stations. The
Arbat Street and Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure are
some other places of interest.
In Moscow, we went for a city tour followed by a visit to the Red
Square. We also visited the Krymsky Bridge where we clicked
several photographs. We also watched a brilliant performance
in the Nikulin Circus. The next day, we travelled to the Memorial
Museum of Cosmonautics and Gorky Park. The last day of the trip
was spent mostly preparing for our return journey and our mood
was sombre.
We would like to thank EdTerra Edventures for showing us the
wonders of Russia. It was truly a marvellous experience. We
especially want to thank our Journey Mentor and tour guides
for enduring our shenanigans and making it an unforgettable
experience. We would also want to extend our gratitude to our
Principal, Vice Principal, and school teachers. We created some
wonderful memories on our journey that we will always cherish.
Written and photographed by: Madhav, Nikhil, Ranbeer, Shubh, Tanish & Tanmay

13. 13
We were surprised to find an Indian restaurant in St. Petersburg on our very Russian odyssey
p

14. Depicting Russia in a scale of 1:87, we were thrilled to
experience the changing of day and night every 10–15
minutes in Grand Maket Rossiya
p
Navigating through the extensive waterways of the Neva River,
its multitudinous canals and more than 300 bridges
p

15. As the world’s largest country, Russia occupies one-tenth of all the land on Earth.
It spans 11 time zones across two continents (Europe and Asia) and has shores on
three oceans (the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Ocean).
On the cruise along the Neva River, we were fascinated to see the splendid architecture of
St. Petersburg, especially the Peter and Paul Fortress
p
15

16. Crossing Nevsky Prospekt on our cruise along the Neva River — the famous street in St. Petersburg
known for its historicity and splendour
p

17. We visited the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, which was built on the same spot where
Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881
p
17

18. I have conquered an empire but I have not been able to conquer myself.”
- Peter the Great
“

20. Russia is the largest country in the world that lies in two continents,
namely Asia and Europe. Its capital is Moscow, which is situated
in the European part of Russia. About 144 million people live in
Russia, which constitutes less than 2% of the world’s population.
It has 11 time zones due to its enormous size.
One of the most important cities of Russia is St. Petersburg, which
is the second-largest city and an important cultural and historical
centre. It is a port city located on the Neva River. The city’s name
has been changed twice. It was known as Petrograd and Leningrad
earlier. St. Petersburg has seen the unfolding of several important
events of Russia’s historical past. The city was founded by Peter I
in 1703. The origins of the city began much before in 1611, when
the Swedes won a large portion of land from Russia and decided
to build a fort called Nyenskans at the confluence of the Neva and
the Okhta Rivers. Nearly a hundred years later, Peter I regained the
land near the Neva River, which was controlled by the Swedish
until then.
As St. Petersburg is considered to be the cultural capital of
Russia, many tourists visit this beautiful city. One of its chief
tourist attractions is the State Hermitage Museum. The tour of
this museum was incredible as we got the opportunity of seeing
some magnificent works of art. The museum was established by
Catherine II in 1762 as a private art gallery. Catherine II dethroned
her husband, Emperor Peter III, with the support of royal guards
and ruled in Russia from 1762–1796. She was a great patron of
arts and collected numerous works of art from all over Europe.
The State Hermitage Museum was established to house this vast
collection of art.
We also visited another important tourist destination, the Church
of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, also known as the Church
of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This church was built in the
memory of Tsar Alexander II, who was assassinated in 1881. His
son, Alexander III, decided to construct a church at the same site
where a bomb was thrown at his father’s carriage. Thereafter,
we headed towards Peterhof Palace. Later, we had a wonderful
experience while painting the Matryoshka dolls in a workshop.
Other than this, we went for a cruise on the Neva River and visited
the Grand Maket Rossiya, which was really spectacular.
We really enjoyed travelling in the chilly winds of Russia. We would
like to conclude that our trip to St. Petersburg was a great and
memorable experience. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time
with our beloved teachers and fellow students.
Written and photographed by: Divyansh, Kaveesha, Kriti, Navya, Riddhi, Shain & Tishya

21. 21
We understood various facets of Russian architecture at Church of the
Saviour on the Spilled Blood such as the mosaic art
p

22. Learning the traditional Russian art of nesting dolls
through a creative artisanal workshop
p
Creating our very own Matryoshka dolls from scratch — we felt
like artists and craftspersons
p

23. St. Petersburg has served as Russia’s capital for 206 years (1712 to 1918).
Built over a period of five years by more than 400 modellers, artists, and
computer scientists, we were fascinated to see the Grand Model of Russia
p
23

24. We were impressed to see numerous fountains of Peterhof Palace, each one of which sprays
water in a unique pattern
p

25. On the cruise along the Neva River, we saw buildings exemplifying
Russian classical and modern architecture
p
25

26. To follow, without halt, one aim: that’s the secret of success.”
- Anna Pavlova
“

28. In St. Petersburg, we visited the State Hermitage Museum, the
second-largest art museum in the world. It is located on the
banks of Neva River in the palace square of St. Petersburg. Its art
collection comprises over 3 million masterpieces. The museum
consists of six buildings in total, out of which five are open to the
public. These include Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Old
Hermitage, the New Hermitage, and the Hermitage Theatre. The
sixth building is a general staff building.
Some of its main galleries are the state rooms located on the first
floor of Winter Palace. These state rooms contain some splendid
exhibits that showcas the lavish lives led by the Romanov Tsars.
Some of the most valuable gold items are kept in the Treasure
Galleries of the museum. The museum is known for its brilliant
collection of Western European art. The Antiquities collection is
worth visiting too. We also saw a large number of statues from
Graeco-Roman times.
The State Hermitage Museum is known for a huge archaic clock
known as the Peacock Clock. The clock was designed by James
Cox, a British jeweller, in the latter half of the 18th century. It was
bought by Catherine II. The clock features three huge golden birds
— a peacock, a rooster, and an owl.
The State Hermitage Museum is guarded by about 50 cats. The
cat army is said to protect the valuable art collection from rats and
mice. Most of these works of art remain stored in the basement of
the museum. The idea of cats as guards originated when Empress
Elizabeth found many rats and mice in her residence. The State
Hermitage Museum houses a number of historical buildings
including Winter Palace. Winter Palace was constructed on a
massive scale to display the power and splendour of the Russian
monarchy.
The vast collection of the State Hermitage Museum contains not
one, but two masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Madonna Litta,
and Benois Madonna, two of the artist’s most popular works.
The Jordan Staircase is one of the museum’s most popular
attractions. This huge, ceremonial staircase is embellished with
grand columns, classic sculptures, marble balustrades, and gilded
frescoes.
Thus, our visit to State Hermitage Museum was really exceptional.
We also visited some other places in St. Petersburg. The tour of
the city was enjoyable as we saw some famous landmarks. We
would like to thank EdTerra for organising an educational trip to
Russia.
Written and photographed by: Ananya, Adit, Asawari, Manik & Navya

29. 29
Designed by Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli, we visited Winter Palace — a fine example of
Baroque architecture
p

30. It is next to impossible to see all the works of art housed in
State Hermitage Museum — it is known to contain more than
three million pieces of art
p
Awestruck to see the majestic green-and-white
Winter Palace known to contain about 1,786 doors,
1,945 windows, and 1,057 rooms
p

31. The Hermitage Museum is among the largest and most adored art museums in
the world. It has 1,057 rooms in total. It is believed that you will need to walk 22
kilometers to see all parts of the Hermitage.
We spotted the official Coat of Arms of the Russian Federation adopted in 1993, which depicts a
double-headed eagle
p
31

32. While visiting the State Hermitage Museum, we learnt the story of its origin — it was established in
1764 when Catherine II acquired a large number of paintings from a German merchant
p

33. The elegant, three-storeyed Winter Palace provided us an insight into the lives of Russian
tsars and nobility
p
33

34. I could have gone on flying through space forever.”
- Yuri Gagarin
“

36. Moscow, deriving its name from the Moskva River, is Russia’s
most cosmopolitan city. It is one of the oldest and largest cities
of Russia. The history of Moscow started back in 1147. It was
not built initially as a capital, but as a fortress to defend the
commercial routes passing through the Moskva River.
Moscow is known for a significant number of tourist places
of interest. The city is home to several historical and modern
buildings. In Moscow, we visited the Red Square, a historic site for
national parades, processions, and other celebrations. Historically,
the Red Square was a chief trading centre in Moscow, referred to
as Veliky Torg (or Great Market). We also went to visit St. Basil’s
Cathedral, which was commissioned by Tsar Ivan IV in mid-16th
century. Also situated in the Red Square are the State Historical
Museum and the Kremlin Wall. We also visited the famous set of
skyscrapers in Moscow, popularly known as the Seven Sisters.
We also visited the Kremlin, a fortified complex situated in the
centre of Moscow. It has five palaces, four cathedrals, and the
Kremlin Wall. The complex now serves as the official residence of
the President of the Russian Federation. Further, we went for a ride
on the Moscow Metro, which is one of the most efficient transit
systems in the world. Next, we visited the Arbat Street, which was
historically a marketplace for artisans, craftspersons, painters,
and henchmen.
We really enjoyed visiting the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.
For anyone interested in space exploration and its history and
future, this museum is a must-visit destination. Today, the
museum features several interactive installations that provide vast
information about the Soviet achievements in space exploration.
Next, we headed towards the Gorky Park. The park was established
in 1928 with a vision to develop Moscow as a city of the future. It
has undergone immense transformation over the last few years.
It is rightly said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because
it happened”. The cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg were
beautiful as there were so many buildings from past and present
times. The stories of the Russian leaders were inspiring too. We
ate some Russian dishes and learnt about the local culture and
lifestyle. We were impressed to see the lush greenery, especially in
the Gorky Park. The performance that we watched at the Nikulin
Circus made us realise the importance of hard-work, coordination,
and discipline in life. Most importantly, we created some beautiful
memories that would remain unforgettable. We would like to thank
EdTerra and our school for organising this wonderful educational
trip for us.
Written and photographed by: Gauri, Gul, Lavya, Radhika, Rushali & Vridhi

37. 37
We visited the Red Square and learnt about its origins that go back to the 15th century when Ivan III extended
the Kremlin
p

38. Observing Saint Basil’s Cathedral that consists of eight column
chapels surrounding the ninth one, each of which has its own
onion dome
p
Excited to explore the cosmopolitan city of Moscow that has
a variety of historical and modern structures
p
Moscow was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Russia from 1547 to 1712, when the
capital moved to St Petersburg. In 1918, following the Russian Revolution, it again
became the capital of the Soviet Union.

39. From the banks of the Moskva River, we spotted one of the Stalinist seven
skyscrapers — Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building
p
39

40. Posing proudly in front of the United Nations Headquarters
p
Visiting the Red Square that separates the Kitay-Gorod from the high walls of Kremlin
p

41. We marvelled at the unique architecture of Saint Basil’s Cathedral — its roof is adorned by vibrant, colourful
domes decorated with cornices, niches, and windows
p
41

42. Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages,
know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.”
- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
“

44. Our school trip to Russia was an extraordinary experience. All of
us thoroughly enjoyed the trip. During our journey, we went for a
ride on the Moscow Metro, which was exhilarating. The Moscow
Metro holds the record for 99.99% punctuality with a vast network
of 261 stations and 14 metro lines. With its tracks running to
about 440 km, it carries nearly 7 million riders and controls about
12,000 metro rides every day. The length of the longest track is
about 45.1 km and the shortest track stretched upto 3.3 km. The
stations of Moscow Metro are characterised by unique design and
architectural styles.
The Moscow Metro was officially opened to the public in 1935.
Its establishment solved the issue of frequent traffic-jams and
overcrowding on the streets. The construction of the Moscow
Metro began when Stalin ruled over Russia. The USSR under
Stalin was a highly centralised state with one-party system. The
executive power was concentrated in the hands of the ruling
leader. The government held full control of the economy and labour
unions. After Stalin came to power, he was determined to make
Moscow a modern and cosmopolitan city in order to venerate his
status as a great leader.
Stalin initiated the establishment of Moscow Metro with a view
to build ‘people’s palaces’. Eventually, it went on to become one
of the most beautiful as well as efficient metro systems of the
world. The stations of Moscow Metro were built underground,
mostly depicting socialist ideas. The prominent leaders of the
20th-century Russia have also been portrayed. Some of the metro
stations look as majestic as the splendid European palaces. The
high ceilings and ornate chandeliers add to the beauty of these
stations. Some stations are well-decorated with intricate marble
inlay work.
Riding on the Moscow Metro was an amazing experience. It
was interesting to observe the decorations and embellishments
adorning the metro stations. We also learnt about the rich history
and culture of Russia, especially during the Soviet rule. We could
very well imagine how Russia must have been before the Soviet
Union disintegrated in 1991.
Our trip to Russia was a marvellous and fantastic experience. We
really enjoyed visiting the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The cruise on the Neva River was an exciting experience. On our
journey, we experienced a new culture and way of life that we were
unaware of. Last but not the least, we would like to thank EdTerra
Edventures for organising such a well-planned and wonderful
journey for all of us.
Written and photographed by: Aranya, Agastye, Bhavya, Parth, Rajveer & Saksham

45. 45
A ride on Moscow Metro acquainted us with Soviet Realism depicting workers’ struggle in many of its
works of art
p

46. We rode on Moscow Metro, which holds a world record for
timely departures and arrivals with almost 99.99% accuracy
p
Sitting inside a metro coach, we realised that the announce-
ments were made in a male voice if one was headed towards
the city; the female voice was used if headed towards the
outskirts
p

47. Visiting the Komsomolskaya Station to see its ornate gilded mosaics that celebrate some of Russia’s greatest
military leaders
p
47

48. Posing proudly in front of the United Nations Headquarters
p
We were delighted to travel by Moscow Metro, one
of the most efficient public transport systems in the
world
p

49. While riding the Moscow Metro, we found a statue depicting
the prominent Bolshevik leader and socialist revolutionary,
Vladimir Lenin
p
49

50. All we can know is that we know nothing.
And that’s the height of human wisdom.”
- Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
“

54. “Knowledge is of no value unless
you put it into practice.”
- Anton Chekov

56. Hi, my name is Adit Bajaj and I study
in Class 10. I like to collect shoes
and play video games. Our journey
to Russia was organised well, but we
faced some problems. Some of the
hotel rooms were not very spacious.
We went to a mall for shopping.
During the journey, I really enjoyed
spending time with my friends. All
the teachers and tour guides were
extremely caring and friendly. I would
like to thank EdTerra for coordinating
this trip.
Hi, my name is Agastye Bhardwaj
and I study in Class 7, Montfort
School, Ashok Vihar. The first half
of the journey was very insightful as
we learnt a lot about the history of
Russia. The second half of the journey
was an exposure to modern Russia.
We rode on the Moscow Metro and
visited several museums as well as
skyscrapers. Our teachers were very
friendly. Shopping for souvenirs and
chocolates was awesome. Watching
a performance at the Nikulin Circus
was the best experience. This journey
taught me how to be responsible.
Hello, my name is Akshat and I am
16 years old. This trip has been a
great learning experience for me. I
got to learn about Russian history
and its prominent leaders. Apart from
learning a lot, we thoroughly enjoyed
too. It was great to dance on catchy
tunes. I can never forget all the fun
moments spent with my roommates.
There were various places that we
visited in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
I really liked visiting the Red Square.
All in all, this trip was just amazing.
I hope to go on more such tours. If
one needs an ideal school trip, there
is nowhere better to go than with
EdTerra Edventures.
Adit Bajaj Agastye Bhardwaj Akshat Gupta

57. Hi, I am Ananya Taneja and I study
in Class 11. Our trip to Russia was
awesome. We had fun watching the
circus performance and riding the
Moscow Metro. The weather was
highly unpredictable. The days were
very long and it remained dark for
only four hours of night, which really
amazed me. We learnt about the
rich history and culture of Russia.
The locals were very friendly. Our
Journey Mentor, Sumedha Ma’am,
was very cooperative and her way of
dealing with adverse situations was
impeccable. I learnt the values of
patience and leadership during the
trip. The itinerary was well-planned
and we enjoyed a lot. I would like to
thank EdTerra for organising such a
wonderful trip.
Hi, I am Aranya Karra and I study in
Class 7, Montfort School. I like to play
football. The journey to Russia was a
fantastic experience because I love
to travel. We went to Moscow and St.
Petersburg. We visited the Neva River,
Grand Maket Rossiya, the Nikulin
Circus, and many other places. It was
fun meeting new people and learning
new words. Working on the photo-
book was fantastic. I learnt about the
history of the places that we visited.
We really enjoyed the evening dance
on the cruise as well. I would like to
thank EdTerra for this beautiful and
fantastic educational tour.
Hi, I am Asawari Mittal and I study
in Class 11, Montfort School. The
journey to Russia was planned well
by EdTerra as they tried to cover many
places in a short period of time. We
went to St. Petersburg first, where we
did a little bit of sightseeing. The next
day, we went to Winter Palace, which
was really mesmerising. We visited
several museums and palaces. We
also visited Moscow. I enjoyed a lot
and learnt a lot from my experiences.
I hope to go on more such trips and
discover other places.
Ananya Taneja Aranya Karra Asawari Mittal
57

58. Hello, my name is Bhavya Arora. I
am 12 years old. I am very studious.
I have played many cricket matches
and have played for the national
tournaments in Gujarat. On our trip to
Russia, we visited two cities, namely
Moscow and St. Petersburg. In both
the cities, the roads were very clean.
We enjoyed going for the river cruise.
We also visited the Memorial Museum
of Cosmonautics in Moscow. Working
on the photo-book was an interesting
experience. We bought many kinds
of souvenirs from the shops. I want
to thank EdTerra for providing such a
beautiful experience.
Hello, my name is Divyansh Garg and
I am 13 years old. I like to learn about
the history of different places. EdTerra
gave us a chance to visit Russia, a
land of diverse history and culture.
St. Petersburg was a beautiful city.
The cathedrals, the State Hermitage
Museum, and Peterhof Palace looked
wonderful. Then, we visited the busy
city of Moscow. We enjoyed riding the
Moscow Metro besides visiting the
Nikulin Circus, Grand Maket Rossiya,
and Arbat Street. At the end of this
journey, I would like to thank my
teachers, tour guides and EdTerra
who gave me a chance to visit the
beautiful country of Russia.
Bhavya Arora Divyansh Garg
I am Gauri Chopra and I study in Class
12, Montfort School, Ashok Vihar. I
am 16 years old. My journey to Russia
was remarkable as I am always
interested in learning about the
history and culture of different places.
We visited the cities of Moscow and
St. Petersburg in Russia. The journey
helped me to interact with new people
and make friends. I will cherish every
moment that I spent during the
journey. The best part of the trip was
the time that I spent with my friends.
I would like to thank our teachers
and Journey Mentors for guiding us
throughout this trip.
Gauri Chopra

59. My name is Gul and I study in Class
12. First of all, I was amazed by the
beauty of nature and the blue skies
when we entered the city of St.
Petersburg. Painting the Matryoshka
dolls was fascinating and the cruise
was a joyful ride. Although the visit to
several buildings and parks was fun,
the best part of the trip was eating
Indian food, which made us realise
the importance of our culture. We
also visited some shopping malls. I
would like to thank EdTerra and my
school for this amazing journey that
I will never forget. It is my last year in
school and this was my last trip with
my friends and teachers.
Gul Chhabra
Hi, my name is Kaveesha Kochar and
I study in Class 8. I love travelling to
different places. I strongly believe
that the more you travel, the more
you learn. I like to know about
different cultures all over the world.
My trip to Russia was fabulous. The
culture and heritage of Russia was
very different and unique. The locals
were very cheerful and friendly. The
streets were also clean. I loved going
on the cruise on the Neva River and
the workshop on painting Matryoshka
dolls. Shopping was very fascinating
and I would like to thank EdTerra for
giving me this opportunity to travel to
this place. It was a very memorable
trip.
Hi, I am Kriti and I study in Class 8.
Dancing is one of my hobbies. The
journey to Russia was an amazing
experience. We learnt a lot during
our journey. We enjoyed a lot while
dancing on Hindi and Punjabi
songs. We visited the cities of St.
Petersburg and Moscow. I personally
enjoyed Moscow more because there
were several engaging activities
whereas St. Petersburg seemed
more like a sightseeing destination.
I really enjoyed watching the circus
performance. The journey was very
joyful.
Kaveesha Kochar Kriti Gupta
59

60. Hi, I am Lavya and I study in Class
11. My trip to Russia was an amazing
and memorable experience. We really
enjoyed visiting the State Hermitage
Museum. I enjoyed a lot with my
friends while staying in the hotel-
rooms. It was interesting to learn
about the history of Russia through
visiting various museums and talking
to our tour guides. I learnt a lot during
the trip. This journey with EdTerra
gave me some memories that I will
cherish throughout my life.
Hi, I am Madhav Gupta and I study
in Class 11. My trip to Russia was
very enjoyable. I enjoyed lot with
my friends. Russia is a country
known for its scenic beauty and
clean environment. The locals were
extremely humble and helpful. We
explored St. Petersburg and ate some
traditional dishes. We also visited the
State Hermitage Museum and learnt
about the history of St. Petersburg.
We also visited Moscow and got
glimpses of all the prominent statues.
The Red Square was very beautiful.
Both the cities were very impressive.
We also learnt about space science.
Lavya Midha Madhav Gupta
Namaste, I was really excited to visit
Russia with my friends and experience
its culture, food, and weather. It was
hot due to the scorching sun in the
afternoons but during the evening-
time, it would get cold. The beautiful
architecture and ancient sculptures
totally won our hearts. We learnt
about the history of the USSR. The
roads were wide and clean. Moscow
and St. Petersburg looked beautiful
with open spaces, clean environment,
and lively culture. We enjoyed during
the day with our teachers and tour
guides and stayed up at night to eat
and make merry with friends. Overall,
it was an awesome experience.
Manik Jain

61. “Live for a moment which you can’t
put in words.” Hi, I am Navya Goel
and I study in Class 11. Holidays are
my favourite time of the year and
travelling with friends is one of the
best experiences. The week-long
journey to Russia was a fantabulous
experience. We learnt about Russian
history, art, and culture during our
visit to the State Hermitage Museum.
We really enjoyed going on the cruise.
I loved visiting different places of
Moscow the most. Shopping for
various things was the best part of
the trip. It was a memorable trip that I
will cherish throughout my life.
Navya Goel
Hi, I am Navya and I study in Class 8.
When I got to know that our school is
planning an educational trip, I signed
up for it immediately. The trip was
more fantastic than what I had initially
thought. With our Journey Mentor’s
guidance and the teachers’ support,
we enjoyed and learnt a lot on this
journey. We visited Grand Maket
Rossiya in St. Petersburg, which
was a miniature depiction of Russia
designed beautifully. This journey was
a fantastic and unforgettable one. A
trip is a success when the organisers
are nice and I would like to thank
EdTerra for such a wonderful journey.
Hi, my name is Nikhil Singla and I
study in Class 12. My hobbies include
programming and writing for fun. My
trip to Russia has become one of the
fondest memories of my life. While
packing for my journey, I was both
anxious and afraid. This was my first
independent trip and EdTerra truly
helped to make it my most-cherished
memory. Travelling through Russia
opened my eyes to the differences
between India and the rest of the
world. Moreover, learning about
the history and culture of Russia
has truly broadened my viewpoint.
I would like to thank EdTerra
Edventures for providing me with the
amazing opportunity of going on an
unforgettable trip.
Navya Singh Nikhil Singla
61

62. Привет — it means ‘privet’ or Hello
in Russian. During the journey, I
learnt many other common words in
Russian. My name is Parth and I study
in Class 7. I am an adventurous person
who likes travelling and exploring.
Our school organised a school trip to
Russia, in which we covered Moscow
and St. Petersburg. We learnt a
lot about the history of Russia. I
personally paid a lot of attention
listening to our tour guide and learnt
many interesting facts about Russia.
The Russians are known for their
artistic flair and gymnastic skills.
This was a fantastic and exceptional
journey, which was possible only
because of the cooperating team of
EdTerra Edventures.
Hello, I am Radhika and I study in
Class 11. I am 16 years old. I love to
travel and this trip to Russia was an
amazing experience. We visited the
cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg,
both of which were very beautiful
and mesmerising. The places that I
enjoyed the most were Arbat Street,
Gorky Park, and the Nikulin Circus.
Visiting the historical buildings was
a wonderful experience. The people
were very welcoming and they took
efforts to make us feel comfortable.
Last but not the least, the best part of
the trip was the time I spent with my
friends. Those memories will remain
for a lifetime. I would like to thank
EdTerra for coordinating this amazing
trip.
Parth Kochar Radhika Anand
Hi, I am Rajveer Singh and I study
in Class 7. I am 11 years old. I am
studious and I love to play cricket.
Swimming is also one of my
hobbies. I have participated in many
competitions and won several awards.
We recently went on an educational
trip to Russia. All the places were
very clean. I enjoyed the cruise on the
Neva River in St. Petersburg the most.
Visiting the State Hermitage Museum
was very informative. In Moscow, we
learnt about the history of the Red
Square. I have no words to describe
Grand Maket Rossiya as it was very
beautiful. The trip was adventurous
and fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed
with my friends.
Rajveer Singh

63. Hi, I am Ranbeer Chaudhary and I
study in Class 12. I am 17 years old.
My educational trip to Russia was
memorable and unforgettable. I love
painting and we witnessed some
beautiful landscapes on our trip,
which would surely influence my
future art-work. We visited the cities
of Moscow and St. Petersburg, both
of which were very beautiful and
mesmerising. I would like to thank
EdTerra who took us to various places
in Russia, which truly opened my eyes
to its picturesque beauty.
Ranbeer Chaudhary
Hi, my name is Riddhi and I study in
Class 8. Our educational trip to Russia
was really nice. The river cruise, the
Nikulin Circus, and the DJ night were
some interesting experiences. On
this trip, I made many friends. I also
learnt the importance of discipline
and punctuality during my journey.
Out teachers were very friendly who
took care of all the children. I learnt to
become independent on this journey
and it also taught me how to live in
difficult situations.
Hello, my name is Rushali and I am
17 years old. This was the first time I
went on a school trip. My experience
of visiting a European country for
the first time was really amazing. I
did not expect it to be so beautiful.
Though we faced some problems in
communicating with the locals, we
managed it somehow. I visited many
places such as Grand Maket Rossiya,
the State Hermitage Museum, Arbat
Street, and Kremlin Park. The cruise
was, however, the best part. I made
many new friends during this trip. I
learnt to become independent and
travel on my own. In short, our journey
was fantastic and I would cherish its
memories throughout my life.
Riddhi Minda Rushali Mittal
63

64. Hi, I am Saksham and I study in
Class 7. I am 12 years old. I like to
dance, study history, and visit new
and exciting places. EdTerra gave us
the opportunity to go on a wonderful
trip to Russia. I enjoyed meeting new
people. Russia was very clean and
everything was in order. The river
cruise made it very special for us.
The cool breeze freshened up my
heart. The DJ night was very thrilling
and we really enjoyed it. Some of
the historical places such as the
State Hermitage Museum, Winter
Palace, and Peterhof Palace were
really nice. This journey helped me
improve my knowledge. I would like
to thank EdTerra for organising such
a fantastic educational tour.
Hello, my name is Shain Gupta and I
am 12 years old. I like to play sports,
dance, and travel to different places.
I have performed in many dance
competitions. I have travelled to many
countries. Our trip to Russia was an
amazing experience. The cold winds
refreshed my mind. The experiences
that I enjoyed the most include the
cruise on the Neva River besides
visiting the Nikulin Circus and the
State Hermitage Museum. I learnt
about the culture, traditions, religious
practices, and most importantly, the
history of Russia. In Moscow, a DJ
night was organised for us where we
danced a lot. I would like to thank
EdTerra for this educational and
adventurous trip. It was a marvellous
and enjoyable experience.
Saksham Agarwal Shain Gupta
Hi, my name is Shreeya and I study
in Class 11. This trip was my first
international school trip and it was
amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed our
journey. My friends and I learnt a
lot about the history and culture of
Russia. It was an awesome trip and
travelling with my friends further
added to the fun. We visited the two
cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Some locals were reserved while most
of them were very courteous. I would
like to thank EdTerra for coordinating
this wonderful trip.
Shreeya Mathur

65. Hi, I am Shubh and I study in Class
11. The trip to Russia was amazing
as we covered two major cities, St.
Petersburg and Moscow. I learnt
about the culture and the history of
Russia. We visited many places such
as the State Hermitage Museum,
Gorky Park, and the Memorial
Museum of Cosmonautics. We also
enjoyed going on the cruise across
the Neva River. I loved the scenic
beauty and architectural brilliance. In
Moscow, our visit to the Red Square
was awesome. On the trip, I made
new friends and enjoyed thoroughly.
I would like to thank EdTerra for
organising such an amazingly
educational journey.
Shubh Agarwal
Hi, I am Tanish and I study in Class
12. My trip to Russia, organised by
EdTerra, was an awesome experience.
My hobbies include exploring places
and the trip to Russia gave such fond
memories and I am truly grateful
to have grabbed this wonderful
opportunity. Exploring St. Petersburg
and Moscow was a wonderful
experience. Every place became really
interesting because of the guidance
given to us by our Journey Mentor
and tour guides. I will never forget this
joyful journey for my whole life.
Hi, my name is Tanmay Bhartia and I
study in Class 11, Montfort School. My
trip to Russia was really memorable
and unforgettable. I was amazed
to see the beauty and the culture of
Russia as it was very diverse. Russia
has a long and rich history. The visit to
Grand Maket Rossiya was wonderful.
The people of Russia were very helpful
and welcoming. I learnt a lot on this
trip. Lastly, I would like to thank
EdTerra Edventures for arranging
such a beautiful and memorable trip
for all of us.
Tanish Saigal Tanmay Bhartia
65

66. Hello, my name is Tishya and I study
in Class 8. The journey to Russia was
a fantastic experience. On this trip, we
danced and enjoyed meeting several
new people. We went for a river cruise,
which was enjoyable and luxurious.
We worked on the photo-book, which
was an interactive exercise as we had
to summarise our travel experiences.
I can never forget the awesome
circus performance. It was the best
circus performance that I have ever
seen in my life. I enjoyed this journey
thoroughly and I would like to thank
my school and EdTerra.
Hi, my name is Vridhi Sindwani and
I study in Class 12, Montfort School,
Delhi. I am 17 years old. On this trip,
I learnt a lot while exploring new
places. The roads and the tourist
places in Russia were very clean. The
river cruise was fun as we danced
a lot. Seeing the paintings in the
museums, especially mosaic art, and
learning about the history of each and
every monument was spectacular.
The visit to the Nikulin Circus was
also amazing. At last, I would like
to thank EdTerra for this wonderful
experience. This trip will always
remain memorable.
Tishya Jain Vridhi Sindwani

67. I, Mrs. Anshu Uppal, an assistant
teacher in Montfort School, got the
opportunity to visit Russia on an
educational tour. This tour helped
me to learn about the history, culture,
traditions,andlifestyleofthepeopleof
Russia. The State Hermitage Museum
and Peterhof Palace were elaborately
adorned by brilliant masterpieces.
The cruise on the Neva River was
an unforgettable experience. In
Moscow, we visited the Red Square
and saw the changing of the guard
ceremony. The ride on Moscow Metro
was an awesome experience. We
were left speechless after watching
a spectacular circus performance.
The visit to the Memorial Museum of
Cosmonautics was very informative
and the students were thrilled to learn
about space stations and rockets. All
in all, it was a wonderful experience.
Anshu Uppal
I am Gracy, an English teacher in
Montfort School. This was my first
journey abroad. Every moment on
the journey was simply breathtaking.
The magnificent buildings and the
fantastic paintings were spectacular.
We were inspired by how the major
leaders used their visions, innovation,
and creativity to build such a beautiful
country. Their efficiency and untiring
spirit were worth admiring. The
journey was indeed a fascinating
experience for me. I would like to thank
EdTerra for their warm welcome and
arrangements. I also wish to thank
our tour guides for being tolerant and
patient with us. My journey to Russia
was splendid, radiant, delightful, and
fascinating.
The visit to Russia was like a dream
coming true. Landing in the historical
city of Russia, St. Petersburg and
then Moscow opened up several
places with vast social, political,
and geographical significance. I was
mesmerised by the magnificence of
the Red Square, Peterhof Palace, the
State Hermitage Museum, the cruise
on the Neva River, and the Krymsky
Bridge. The Gorky Park was a visual
treat, with its lush greenery. The
workshop on painting Matryoshka
dolls was exciting and creative as it
brought out the best among all the
budding artists. Time flew away and
we came to the finale of our journey,
leaving us yearning for more. EdTerra
has been instrumental in organising a
perfect itinerary with our ever-smiling
Journey Mentor, Sumedha.
Gracy V. M. Gurleen
67

68. I, Mrs. Meenu Mehta, working as an
Assistant Teacher at Montford School,
Delhi, got a golden chance to visit
Russia along with 32 children from
Classes 8 to 12. It was a memorable
experience as I got the opportunity to
witness different cultures. Moreover,
the children learnt a lot from the
information shared by tour guides. I
must congratulate EdTerra in carefully
organising each and every aspect and
detail of the trip so wonderfully. We
learnt immensely from visiting each
place, which would certainly help
the students in future. The trip was
as beautiful as Matryoshka dolls,
as grand as the State Hermitage
Museum, as quick-paced as Sapsan
bullet train, as stylish as Arbat
Street, as deep as Neva River, and as
memorable as the Nikulin Circus.
Meenu Mehta
I am Brother. Jinu Abraham, the
Vice Principal of Montfort School.
The journey to St. Petersburg and
Moscow was an enriching experience
for me. The educational trip was very
informative. This was an opportunity
to know and discover the culture of
Russia. I observed the behaviour
and nature of the Russians. The trip
taught me to be patient and calm
while managing the students. Visiting
Winter Palace, Peterhof Palace, the
Red Square, and the Nikulin Circus
enabled me to learn about the culture
and architecture of Russia. We also
attended a workshop on painting
Matryoshka dolls. The trip made me
realise about the willpower, resilience,
and hard-work of the Russians. This
trip was a great opportunity for me to
enjoy with the students.
I am Meenakshi Mathur, a pre-primary
teacher working in Montfort School
for the last 24 years. I love travelling
to different places and I have visited
many places in India. I have also
visited Thailand. The trip organised
by EdTerra was very delightful. The
trip was not only educational but
also enjoyable. It was nice to see the
children managing by themselves
in a foreign country without their
parents. We visited many places in St.
Petersburg and Moscow such as the
State Hermitage Museum, Peterhof
Palace, the Memorial Museum of
Cosmonautics, and Gorky Park. The
children and teachers were happy to
visit malls for shopping. I would like
to thank EdTerra for coordinating this
trip, especially our Journey Mentor
Sumedha as she was very well-
organised.
Brother. Jinu Abraham Meenakshi Mathur

69. My name is Sheeba Seth and I have
been teaching in Montfort School for
the last 20 years. My second trip with
EdTerra to Russia turned out to be
really mesmerising. Every country has
its own history and cultural heritage.
The same is the case with Russia. We
were spellbound to see the beautiful
architecture of palaces and cathedrals
in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The
spectacular mosaic work in the
cathedral in St. Petersburg looked
fantastic. The aesthetic beauty of
the sculptures of Moscow Metro was
worth seeing. We enjoyed painting
Matryoshka dolls and strolling in the
Arbat Street. We are very thankful to
our Journey Mentor, Sumedha, who
was very helpful. I would like to thank
my whole group who made this trip so
memorable.
Sheeba Seth
I am Sonam Thukral, an assistant
teacher in Montfort School. I have
been teaching for the last 12 years.
I am an avid traveller and I have
visited many places in India. The trip
to Russia, organised by EdTerra, was
delightful. It was educational as well
as enjoyable for both the students
and teachers. It was a pleasure to
see my lovely kids managing so well
by themselves in an environment
drastically different from home.
Our Journey Mentor, Sumedha, was
really cooperative. Apart from the
fascinating activities, we visited
several destinations such as the
State Hermitage Museum and the Red
Square. We also rode on the Moscow
Metro. The journey to Russia was like
a dream coming true. I would like to
convey my best wishes to EdTerra.
Sonam Thukral
65
69

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