Nekrasova was one of three Russians visiting the Tallahassee District as part of the "Open World" Russian Leadership Exchange Sept. 14-24. The program was designed by the United States Library of Congress to give 3,000 current and future leaders of Russia the opportunity to observe American culture, education and government.

The United Methodist Church and Rotary International are the two major partners with the Library of Congress in the exchange.

Tallahassee District Superintendent Chuck Weaver served as host and guide for the trio, arranging visits to the Florida State capitol building, federal government offices, Republican and Democrat party offices, museums, a Florida State University football game, and other locations.

He also took them to five area United Methodist churches so they could experience traditional and contemporary worship, a charge conference, a potluck supper and a variety of child-care programs.

Farit Gandalipov, a chemist and trade union leader from Ufa, Russia, said he was very surprised to discover that there was an Islamic Center in Tallahassee. Gandalipov, who is Muslim, had thought that Islam only existed in the Middle East and Russia.

He also appreciated seeing how calm Americans are, especially about politics. "You don’t have as much anxiety about politics as the Russian people," he said. "Americans always know what they have and what they’re going to do."

The third member of the group, George Telepnev, an architecture student from Moscow and leader of the Anti-Fascist Youth Action League there, said he appreciated the chance to learn more about American antifascist organizations, like the Southern Poverty Law Center. He hopes to make contacts in the United States and use what he’s learned about the American way of life to strengthen his league in Russia.