I manage a motel in a resort area at night (3-11)
I've had from 2 to 6 Russians (and Eastern Europeans, Belarus, Ukraine) work for/with me for the last ten years.
J-1 visa kids; college age. A different set of circumstances to observe. They are "Fish out of water".
These aren't great jobs. Maids and Bellmen. Most have another job, usually at a restaurant.
They are mostly homesick for the first couple of weeks until they get settled in. They e-mail daily at first then feel bad when it tapers down to twice a week. At the end of the summer, they don't want to go home.

My observations comparing them to US college-age kids:
Russian kids have better study/work habits than American kids. It shows in a number of ways.
They are"smarter" because they were serious about school. Math. They speak English fluently and usually can "Pidgin" another 1-3. Americans can barely speak to Quebecois after 6 years of French or Maids after 6 years of Spanish. Guilty as charged. It's been 30 years since I studied French, I learned Spanish working in South Florida factories and never had a formal Russian lesson in my life. I get by though.
They show up, on bikes, after working a breakfast/lunch shift. Americans might show up, late, in a car their parents gave them.
If Russians call in sick, they are sick (OK, sometimes a crippling hangover). Americans call in sick and show up the next day with a sunburn.
Russian Горничные are better than Brazilian and Jamaican Maids. American kids are too lazy and entitled to work as maids.
Russian Коридорные are on par with Jamaican and American Bellboys. Very polite and don't put their hand out for a tip.
Russian kids aren't as materialistic as American kids. Granted, they show up with 1 old suitcase and leave with 2 new ones filled with stuff, they seem to be able to get by with less.
Russian kids seem more appreciative. I get lots of free stuff. Free Boat rides, whale watching, baseball tickets, meals, etc. I don't give them to the American kids anymore.

Observations I've heard from Russian kids:
Americans are fat, lazy and stupid. Americans are fit, work hard and smart.
You work too hard. You are always playing at work.
Americans are not happy. I heard about the "American Smile", but you are really happy!
You are too serious. You don't take life seriously.
American food is better, it is fresh. American food is bad, it comes from cans.
American beer sucks. Americans hide the good beer.
I hate this place. I love this place.

Some contradictions. Wide-eyed kids seeing a new part of the world. Most have never seen the ocean and a beach or have stayed in a hotel. Some are fairly worldly. "My Kids". I keep in touch with them for a couple years until they get real jobs, married and children.

I learn, they learn.
2 girls are due June 16.