The Monastery has been extending its Benedictine hospitality to several sets of parents of international students who have come for their graduation this May, including a couple from the city of Semey in Kazahkstan, an independent nation once part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Yergazy and Tatyana Kudaibergenov are the parents of Marat who graduated on May 9th with a degree in computer science. Although this is the couple’s first visit to the United States, two of their older sons, Timor and Rustan, also graduated earlier in the same field from the University of Minnesota in Duluth.
Because the couple speak little English, Sister Mary Catherine came to the rescue, recalling some of the Russion she used to teach years ago and has enjoyed showing the pair around while Marat has been busy making arrangements for exending his stay and taking several additional classes.
On a tour of the computer labs, the parents met one of Marat’s supervisors at The College of St. Scholastica’s computer help desk. Happy to meet someone who had worked with their son, the father’s one question was, “Is Marat a good boy?” With a smile Peggy answered in the affirmative. She added, however, that he is frequently late with assignments.
All smiled in understanding.
Sister Mary Catherine Shambour
Sister Mary E.Catherine Shambour currently serves as Vocation Director Minister for St. Scholastica Monastery. She had had many years of experience teaching on the secondary and college levels, and has frequently traveled to Russia and the Soviet Union as a student, teacher, tour leader, and volunteer church worker.
See all of Sister Mary Catherine’s posts.