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Latvia offers a unique exchange experience for an adventurous student.
Latvia has undergone dramatic change in the past 20 years — from a
Soviet-occupied country, to becoming a new democracy, and now entering
the European Union. Latvia is a stark mixture of old and new, and it’s a
country that hangs on tight to its traditions. Subsistence farming is
common in the countryside, while the capitol, Riga, has a new-found
hustle and bustle. Exchange students here will be one of very few
exchange students in the country, and could be placed in a rural or
urban setting. Latvians are very proud of their small country and its
natural beauty.
Country Officer
Lynn Keillor
keill003@tc.umn.edu
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Old Town Riga — it’s been
around since 1201, when Riga was encircled by fortifications
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The Latvian Open-Air Muesum —
Walk through traditional farmsteads, a fisherman’s dwelling
and craft workshops.
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Kuldiga. The old town of
Kuldiga is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site
designation. It also has the widest waterfall in the Baltics.
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Cesis. Located within the
Gauja national park, Cesis is a medieval town. Visit the
castle, and take a trip into the dungeon with a candle
lantern.
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Rundale Palace — located near
Kurzeme, this made it the Rococo style, with incredibly
intricate detailing. It’s recently restored, and the exhibit
on the restoration process is fascinating, whether or not
you speak Latvian.
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The Occupation Museum in Riga
— It’s a moving display of life under Soviet rule.
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Latvia is considered a part
of the three Baltic countries. Estonia is to the north;
Lithuania to the south. Its eastern border is with Russia
and Belarus.
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Latvian is the official
language. It is in a unique language group, with some
similarities to Lithuanian. Many Latvians also speak
Russian, German and English.
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There are 3,000 lakes in
Latvia.
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The solstices and equinoxes
are celebrated: Winter Solstice is one of the most important
celebrations.
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Latvians love to sing. Nearly
every town has a song festival and an outdoor ampitheatre,
and large song festivals that include the three Baltic
countries are held every few years.
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Basketball and hockey are
popular sports among teens.
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The Latvian youth exchange
program is run in conjunction with Rotary Youth Exchange in
Sweden. Exchange students in Latvia may have the opportunity
to travel to Sweden, and are invited on Sweden’s Europe
tour.
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Latvians eat a lot of pork,
rye bread and cream-based foods. A popular dish is grey peas
and bacon — it tastes much better than it sounds!
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