Minneapolis is a major city approximately 3 hours drive from La Crosse. Our students always welcome an opportunity to visit Minneapolis and the surrounding area with their host families.
Minneapolis rests on the banks of the Mississippi river and adjoins Saint Paul, the capital of the state of Minnesota. These two cites have grown together over the years and are nicknamed the Twin Cities and are both home to many interesting sites.
First, everyone enjoyed a shopping at the famous Mall of America, which is the largest shopping mall in the US. The students were surprised to find many other activities besides shopping available at this huge mall. For example, a great water ride at the very center of the mall, which was totally amazing (Lena's experience).
Some students also visited the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which is located near the Walker Art Center and displays unusual and very big works of modern art. Many exceptional photos were made in the Garden in particular by the Standing Glass Fish and Spoonbridge with Cherry (you can see this for yourself at the top of this page).
I (Ljudmila) ) was able to visit the famous Weisman Museum of Art designed by the renowned Frank Gehry and located on the University of Minnesota campus. The Museum is situated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The distinct design surprises everyone by its unusual shape made from the curving and angular steel sheets which reflect the sunlight and shine beautifully. I also enjoyed modern paintings and ultrafashionable installations in The Walker Art Center which is a contemporary art center in Minneapolis.
The �Twins� have much more to offer than one can experience during a short visit, however, we experienced so much. For example, Lena enjoyed a professional baseball game between the local Minnesota Twins who were playing the Kansas City Royals at the largest sports domed stadium in Minnesota � The Metrodome. As a newcomer it was difficult for Lena to fully understand the rules, yet Lena none the less enjoyed her first experience at a baseball game. Plus � The Twins won!
Masha and her host family enjoyed many football games over a three day stay in Minneapolis while Sam was actually participating in the games.
Pasha and Lena also went to the Minnesota Zoological Garden where they saw many interesting animals housed in very natural surroundings and also enjoyed a huge aquarium with exotic fish and funny dolphin show as well.
Pasha was entertained at a large amusement Park filled with exciting attractions and thrill rides with his host family.
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota and we found that anyone can enter the Capitol buildings freely and easily visit the places where the Minnesota government operates - every room. It was surprising!
Not far from the Capitol we were able to visit Saint Paul Cathedral, huge and beautiful, with amazing stained-glass windows above.
We could relax in Downtown Minneapolis. A lot of tall buildings and different skyscrapers (Wells Fargo Center, 225 South Sixth, IDS Tower, the most exciting AT&T Tower all blue with curtains of glass, etc.) plus some pedestrian bridges between buildings known as skyways make the Downtown very beautiful, impressive and modern.

There is no doubt that Minneapolis - Saint Paul has the best to offer to everyone and in so many different ways. In closing I would like to thank our host families for doing so much to make our visit to the La Crosse area such a wonderful experience!

Ljudmila Leonova

Madison, Wisconsin has got to be the most unique city in the world. Located in the southern half of the state, it not only is one of the biggest cities but also the capital of the state. By no means is it as big as some other capitals, such as Minneapolis or Washington DC, yet it offers the buzz of a larger city, while maintaining the amities of a smaller town.
Madison is nestled between Lakes Mendota and Menona, whose grassy banks give the nature-friend and athlete plenty of playing grounds. For our urban friends, there are the Westside and Eastside malls, as well as the infamous State Street where the Las Vegas rule would best apply. Even the politician and student will find joy in perusing Capitol Hill and the University of Wisconsin-Madison complex. All of the American and Russian students quickly found something to enjoy at Madison and were compelled to come back.
For my family, Madison has always been a favorite destination. My mom�s family and friends live in a suburb called Sun Prairie. We visit them frequently, and take smaller trips around the area. In some way, Madison has been a second hometown for me. It was only natural that my family shared our love of Madison with our Russian student.
Since Lena opted to come later than the rest of the group, she also decided to join us at our family reunion. Every year everyone in my family gets together at Governor Nelson State Park, a park near Madison and on the shores of Lake Mendota, for an afternoon. We get a chance to catch up on news, to share good food, to remember other good times, to swim, or to ride in my uncle�s boat. To top of all the fun activities, the view of the Madison skyline, across the lake, was magnificent. The rendezvous was tons of fun, and the departure was hard for all.
We also spent a day exploring the city of Madison. After we parked the car, we promenaded along State Street in the direction of the Capitol Building. Like the Champs Elysees in Paris and Fifth Avenue in New York City, State Street is infamously known around the world. It connects the main destinations of Madison, the UW campus and the Capitol Building. The lower levels of the buildings overflow with souvenir shops and ethnic restaurants and cafes from every corner of the world. Much to Lena�s disappointment there was no Russian eatery, but we found bistros from Nepal, India, Tibet, France, Greece and many other countries! Once we reached the Capitol Building, we took a tour. While on the tour we learned much about Madison�s gem. For instance, the Wisconsin Capitol Building is only a few feet shorter than the Capitol Building in Washington DC. The building is adorned inside with the finest marble, woods, and mosaics from the entire world. We enjoyed touring the legislative chambers, executive offices, and Wisconsin Supreme Court Court, although unfortunately no one was in session.
Unfortunately the day was drawing to an end, and we were forced to limit our planned tour of the University of Wisconsin to a quick drive. Madison is largely focused around the largest college campus of the state. Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students flock campus every year to study everything, from Accounting to Zoology and everything in between. It is no wonder that UW Madison is one of the best universities in the US, second only to Harvard (and that just barely!). But UW is about more than studies: it is home to the Badgers, who are world famous for their skills in football, ice hockey, basketball, and various other sports. Of course every college isn�t complete without parties, and UW has the best parties of the world, most of them being on State Street. UW has held the top spot for Best Party School on the Playboy magazine�s list for almost forever (the only time they weren�t on the list, Playboy intentionally took them off to give other schools a chance!).
Since we were all underage, our tour didn�t involve any partying. We drove around campus and pointed out various halls, dorm buildings, stadiums, and other edifices. Out tour, as always, ended at the Student Union with a scoop of ice cream made on campus and a stroll around Monona Terrace. Finding all the key areas of campus was no problem for my father and my grandmother, since they both attended UW Madison. It is there that they met their spouses, got degrees for prestigious careers, and had the best years of their lives! Just like, my parents and grandparents I will be attending UW as an undergraduate student, in hopes of learning much and meeting my dream man ;). Even though Lena had committed herself to a university in Moscow for the duration of her studies, she enjoyed seeing the campus. Perhaps one day she can join my siblings and me as we dip our feet into the pools of wisdom of the halls of UW Madison!
Without a doubt, Madison has become a favorite of all the students. When we returned home that night, we all dreamed of red and white jumping around Camp Randall, licking ice cream on Monona Terrace, and serving the US Government in the Capitol. There is no doubt in my mind that soon there will be a reunion of all the LDFA participants in Madison, where, one day, all of our dreams may come true one day!

Barbara Jedele