Thread: If I was to take a trip to Russia

I

I dunno about you guys, Russia doesn't seem to be all that cheap it is praised to be. Every time I'm there I wind up spending just about as much as I spend in Montreal, not to mention airplane tickets etc. Being fluent in Russian in no time? I dont think so... Going for two years? It's like learning how to swim by being dropped off a mile away from the shore. I'm not even sure you'll get a visa for that long. I'd seriously consider having at least a 1000 for expenses on top of the tickets and living accomodations and go for 6-8 weeks, unless you are planning for an unsupervised jungle survival tour.

Originally Posted by Sir Krist

I talked to the school I pay $10,000 for 2 years,with my scolarship and all the junk.

Forgive me if you already answered this question..but why are you taking a program to go to Russia for two years? You do not sound like the typical person who will take such a trip, whom is either a Russian history, literture and/or culture fanatic.

I agree with the previous wisdom that 2 years is too long. I am surprised that such a program exist. Usually most western universities will not sponser students in a study abroad package unless they have at least intermedate language skills and course study.

As far as money, I personnaly would not care how much it cost if the program was solid. I just would have to find the money.

What is the school and what is the program called? I am curious.

Originally Posted by adoc

I'm not even sure you'll get a visa for that long. I'd seriously consider having at least a 1000 for expenses on top of the tickets and living accomodations and go for 6-8 weeks, unless you are planning for an unsupervised jungle survival tour.

Yep, I

Originally Posted by Sir Krist

I've come to the knoledge that Pimsluer isnt all that it cracks to be, they need a pimsluer 4,5,6 I think cause it seems that they focus on tourism all the time and dining.

Sir Krist,

I

common sense (and not looking black, chinese or non russian) gets you a long way, avoide loud english in metro etc. i only know one american guy who was beaten with baseball bats this year, but he was hardly, shall we say discrete when speaking. there are skinheads and they will f$ck you up if you give them a chance, but i or my friends have never had any problems (тьфу-тьфу-тьфу чтоб не сглазить!)

you can find private clients easliy for $30-$40 for 90 mins of english. put an add in the moscow times. my friend teaches for $60 for 90 mins so the work IS there. dont worry about getting paid under the table, its russia.

the dollar is doing pretty bad right now, 27. something

dont trust the police and dont watch черезвычайные проишествия (it will just make you think you'll get bombed, raped or stabbed by thugs)

russia is a great place and you will have an amesome time

oh, ditch pimsleur and get a russian gf, you will be a slang-using colloquial machine in no time flat

And as far as expenses go, guys, I didn't think about it until someone said something about the visas, but I think he'd be there for a year tops, before it would expire. I think people typically have to leave the country for a few weeks while they reapply/renew/whatever it is they do to get a fresh visa. So you'd have to figure in either a ticket home, or all kinds of travel/lodging/food money for Finland/the Baltics/whatever (which will most likely be on the Euro which sucks for converting dollars). You'd go through a few thousand dollars pretty quick...

My advice to Krist is to take a few classes (physical classes, not some book/cd/computer "course") then go with ACTR or some other reputable program. They ain't cheap, but this isn't the kind of thing you want to scrimp on either. You get what you pay for...

Originally Posted by Lt. Columbo

oh, ditch pimsleur and get a russian gf, you will be a slang-using colloquial machine in no time flat

Very good advice!!!

And seconding and paraphrasing Lt. Columbo...do your best to "blend into the woodwork"...don

if its a program you dont need to worry about the visa, normally they are for 6 months and get extended, you dont need to leave the country.

Hell, i'd say go for it. Don't be afraid of the culture shock - some people here make it seem as if your head may explode upon arrival. Yeah, things are different - people, attitudes, etc... but it's not difficult to get used to paying $1.25 for a pack of cigarettes and being surrounded by beautiful women all the time

tdk

Originally Posted by Sir Krist

...And is there anything I must absolutely need to know before going? dont worry I have plenty time to plan/study/gather funds.any help with this Is highly appreciated.

balshoi spacibo

I think this would be a good site to visit: http://expat.ru/forum/index.php

I'm curious about what program would drop you there for 2 years... and how they get the visa to do so. Russian Embassy site has:
Tourist, 1 month
Visitor, 3 months
Business, 1 year and you have to leave during the year.
I'm sure there are student goodies as well.

As far as knowing a native, that's my plan... I know a few people scattered around Russia that I helped when they were here on summer J-1 student visas and became friends. I have that in MY favor. I don't know what to tell you. I actually "met" a couple Belarusians on ICQ before they landed in USA. (not my destination, but it's an idea)

currency converter XE.COM

Barmaley, what did you mean by this:
'"Russians aren't like Americans. That's why they took out Lenin's brain -- he was the first Russian to have one, and probably the last. They mostly have gills in the place of brains. Thus, they are completely different than you and me, and it shows, by their serious expressions and glares on the street."?

Originally Posted by capecoddah

I have that in MY favor.

LOL. This totally unrelated, but when I read that I immediately thought of Carl (Bill Murray) in Caddyshack when he's telling the kid how he received total conciousness on his death bed from the Dali Lama.

Originally Posted by Kirill2142

Barmaley, what did you mean by this:
'"Russians aren't like Americans. That's why they took out Lenin's brain -- he was the first Russian to have one, and probably the last. They mostly have gills in the place of brains. Thus, they are completely different than you and me, and it shows, by their serious expressions and glares on the street."?

I meant it at as a joke -- scathing sarcasm actually. I don't really think you have gills, Kirill.

What do gills mean?

Originally Posted by Kirill2142

What do gills mean?

Fish have gills to breathe. They're like little slits that intake water (and oxygen) since they don't have lungs. Может быть "жабры" по-русски?

Originally Posted by Kirill2142

Barmaley, what did you mean by this:
'"Russians aren't like Americans. That's why they took out Lenin's brain -- he was the first Russian to have one, and probably the last. They mostly have gills in the place of brains. Thus, they are completely different than you and me, and it shows, by their serious expressions and glares on the street."?

With all his gills-turned-brains he meant to be "sardonic".

Originally Posted by capecoddah

I'm curious about what program would drop you there for 2 years... and how they get the visa to do so. Russian Embassy site has:
Tourist, 1 month

I think there are special student visas available. Especially if he

Originally Posted by Barmaley

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

Dude, if anything, don't listen to Barm-boy, he is full of youknowwhat

Really? Please explain that to his parents when he goes insane or dies. Look, I'm not saying he shouldn't got to Russia. On the contrary, I think that's absolutely great. What I am saying is that he should have some farking common sense. Don't go with zero background in Russian and don't go for 2 years at a time without having a clue what you're jumping into. He should go for a summer, a semester, or MAYBE, and I repeat MAYBE, a year. Two years is nuts.

LOL. How many americans have been killed in Russia the last 10 years? How many went insane? Once you go to Russia with 2 years intent, it doesn't mean you are locked to the kremlin with a ball and chain, he can leave whenever he wants. He is not selling his soul, here!

Go with the flow, Sir Krist! Be merry and do what you want to do!

As somebody said student visas don't require you to leave the country to get it renewed/extended.