With the help of her classmates and a pocket-sized Russian-English dictionary, Polina Oganova explained that she "went on a drive . . . large machine . . . not a car . . . on long grass."

It was 16-year-old Oganova's first hayride. They are uncommon in the Soviet Union.

Oganova is one of 83 academically gifted high school juniors and seniors visiting the University July 6 to 24 as part of the People to People Youth Science Exchange program.

This is the first year Penn State has participated in People to People. Norman Freed, associate dean and physics professor, said the foundation contacted the University and asked it to host the Soviet students.

Only three people in the group, including students and counselors, speak English well, coordinator Jerri Milsom said. Most understand English, however, and about a fourth can speak well enough to communicate.

During their 17-day stay, the Soviet students will take classes in astronomy, astrophysics, computer science and physics. They will also participate in many activities that local students enjoy, such as miniature golf, picnics, plays, pizza parties, movies and the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

The Soviet students are enjoying the attractions of the State College area. Oganova said she likes Americans and has made many friends here.

"We had greatest time (at Stone Valley)," Oganova said, using her hands, arms and a few words of English to explain that she and her friends went canoeing.

Oganova also tasted her first Chinese food here. It was "very interesting food," she said, laughing. "Yes, I like."

Other students enjoyed their first tastes of American culture.

Holding up sheet music to "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night," Dmitrii Khukov, 16, explained he enjoys American music, especially "winter songs." He plays both the piano and guitar.

While exploring social activities here, Oganova, Khukov and their classmates noticed differences between life in the United States and in the Soviet Union.

Oganova was surprised at the amount of money and "interesting lives" most Americans have in comparison to Soviet citizens, she said.

"I like this country," she said, smiling.

Khukov also noted Americans have more money than Soviet citizens. His institute in Russia is not as "rich" as this university, he said. He described Penn State as "a miracle of education."

"It is a beautiful college."

The University has more and larger buildings than his school in the Soviet Union, he explained.

Oganova noticed differences in family life, as well.

"Our parents don't want us to live alone without them," she said.

In the Soviet Union, people are usually in their mid-twenties before they buy a "flat" and move out of their parents' house. Here, people "choose life by themselves" at a younger age.

But the Soviet teens are not here only to explore the lifestyles of State College; they are also taking special science courses.

Oganova does not find her Penn State classes difficult. The technical language, however, is new to her and she finds understanding it challenging. She concentrates her studies in computers, physics and math.

Yuri Duyunov, 16, also a computer student, finds his studies at Penn State "very prudent." At an astronomy lecture, he said he saw many things for the first time, including a picture from outside the galaxy.

That is because the departments want to cover topics active scientists are working on, not things covered basic classes, said Peter Shaw, a physics professor in the program. He said the students will only take about 14 hours of classes, and professors want to expose them to a number of areas being researched at the University.

Although he is unsure about his students' physics backgrounds and ability to understand English, Shaw is excited about teaching. He said the University's Physics Department has many activities planned, including a tour of the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor, a research reactor on campus.

Although lectures are given in English, translators are placed in the classroom to make sure information is understood. Milsom said the translators' main role is in the labs, working in a more informal setting with the students.

The People to People Foundation, based in Washington state, was started in 1956 by Dwight D. Eisenhower during the depths of the Cold War. The idea behind the program is to keep communication open between the United States and other countries through young people.

The University can benefit not only from the recognition of being in such a program, but also from the interaction of such outstanding students with faculty and other students, Freed said.