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Has anyone gone to the Ukraine to study Russian as a foreign language? (Russian as a foreign language, does not include a university type of course, but just Russian language study through an accredited institution aimed at non-Russian speakers.)
I was considering Odessa because I was told that Russian is spoken there. I was told it is safer that the major Russian cities and inexpensive.
What do you think???
I love Odessa. I've been there many times and I have many friends and contacts there. There is no visa required so just buy a plane ticket.
Let's go, we can meet up there.
I recently heard about the "no VISA needed" rule. It was a major factor because it gives me flexibilty. I have been to Russia to study and the cool part is using the language in shops, cafes, and such..Quote:
Originally Posted by kwatts59
Can I get the same experience in Odessa? I am worried that I will not understand the accent or most locals will speak Ukrainian.
(and..I will meet you in Odessa..I tend to be willing to go anywhere..with anybody..if it sounds like a good time)
I wish I weren't broke.
don`t worry, most locals speak russian!Quote:
Originally Posted by leslie_
My family lives not so far from Odessa. So I have been there many times.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka
Everybody there speaks Russian. Not too many people speak English but it is very easy to hire an interpreter at about $10/hr (prices may have gotten higher since then). I try avoiding interpreters to save money and force myself to speak Russian.Quote:
Originally Posted by leslie_
I am trying to coordinate a trip in June. When are you planning to go?Quote:
Originally Posted by leslie_
Только объясните человеку, что такое одесский говор. И то, что если он будет учить язык в Одессе, у него он тоже появится :)
вообще-то необязательно....Обычно если учишь язык на курсах или в школе, где тебе понятно и правильно его преподают. то это большое преимущество. Будет учить правильный русский и в то же время понимать тех, кто говорить на одесском, а таковых не так уж и много...я имею ввиду из молодёжи. Язык молодёжи (особенно студентов высших учреждений) отличается от языка бабок на привозе :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Ramil
I should go to odessa on my class break... holy crap. What are prices to ukraine in like august/ september? Id go to russia but the whole visa thing really turns me off.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Kwatts, think u could hook me up with a dom?
.abc.
Glad to hear from you Dogboy. Welcome back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogboy182
In Odessa I avoid hotels. They are too expensive. I normally hook up with a friend and together we rent an apartment. The landlady usually charges $200 per week but prices have gotten ridiculously high lately. I would not be suprised if it's $300 per week by this summer.
Let me know, maybe I can try coordinating something.
Maybe you should rent a cheaper apartment. Mine in the centre of London which has some of the highest property prices in the world is only $200 /week.Quote:
Originally Posted by kwatts59
IQuote:
Originally Posted by leslie_
Ладно. Спасибо. Это было полезноQuote:
Originally Posted by kalinka
I may go in June. I have to go in either June or October. Give me the details of your plans for June (private message).ok?Quote:
Originally Posted by kwatts59
[quote=Dobry]Quote:
Originally Posted by leslie_
...but I might question the safety remark. I think Moscow and Petersburg are very safe. I
Perhaps you might consider Sevastopol, in Crimea? Very safe there..... and beautiful scenery. :)
СевастопольQuote:
Originally Posted by Haksaw
http://winnet.narod.ru/
http://foto.sevastopol.info/gallery/town/town01.htm
http://foto.sevastopol.info/gallery/nature/nature01.htm
http://foto.sevastopol.info/exclusive/sky/index.htm
[quote=leslie_][quote=Dobry]Quote:
Originally Posted by "leslie_":1iorjhba
...but I might question the safety remark. I think Moscow and Petersburg are very safe. I
Unfortunately, not even that's true: there was a case where a bunch of thugs killed a 9-year old girl -- b/c she was African. What scum.Quote:
Originally Posted by leslie_
"The night before Mirzoyev was beaten, Zaur Tutov, a popular singer and cultural minister in a north Caucasian republic, was attacked in Moscow by 15 to 20 young men. He suffered broken bones and serious facial damage. The previous weekend, attackers sliced the throat of a 9-year-old girl of African origin in St. Petersburg before spray-painting a swastika on a nearby wall. "
[quote=leslie_][quote=Dobry]Quote:
Originally Posted by "leslie_":33mnctyy
...but I might question the safety remark. I think Moscow and Petersburg are very safe. I
Once a month? How many people are being gunned down or stabbed to death in the US every second? How many of them are Africans? Numbers and probabilities, people :roll:Quote:
An african is getting murdered there about once a month.
When 15 to 20 men attack you you don't suffer broken bones and facial damage, you frikkin die. The article must be a lie.Quote:
was attacked in Moscow by 15 to 20 young men. He suffered broken bones and serious facial damage.
Thanks Lampada Cool pictures!!!
As far as safety, I travelled throughout the Ukraine and never felt any danger. I was harrassed by 3 drunk juveniles in Kiev late one night but I did not get hurt. Just use common sense. Don't stay out too late, don't walk down dark alleys, try to stay amongst friends.
Odessa is one of the more open cities in Ukraine. There are some asians, in fact there is a small China town there. There are some dark skinned people there but not many. Beyond Odessa, there are no minorities, only caucasians.
I feel that Russians and Ukrainians are cautious when it comes to foreigners. They may treat you differently if you are not caucasian. I do not know if that constitues racism but there were times when I felt a little uneasy. I never let that stop me from doing anything.
My landlady rents only to foreigners. Prices are higher because she rents on a daily or weekly basis. Her apartments are completely furnished and have satallite TV and are located in the centre of town. I think her prices are very reasonable. I am sure I can get a better rate if I rented for a longer term.Quote:
Originally Posted by TATY
VM,Quote:
Originally Posted by VendingMachine
You
Here is an example of the cost of renting an apartment...... http://www.crimearealestate.com.ua/index.html
I don't live in the US so I don't know.Quote:
Originally Posted by VendingMachine
But considering there are many millions of black people in America, and hardly any in Russia, it is not probability.
But I'm not gonna get into an arguement because that's what you want.
And BTW, as someone who has been attacked by 13 young men, I assure you can survive. So go and find another topic which is slightly critical of Russia because of course it is Western propoganda and cannot be true!
There was that 9 year-old Tajik girl as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barmaley
Вчера в Москве в метро убили армянского мальчика. :(
http://www.tvc.ru/index/id/70501022000000.html
Wow, this is really horrible!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lampada
The Armenian: What kind of people will attack a 17 year old visitor to their country, while he is joining friends to celebrate Easter!! Godless...
The Indian: I can't imagine being a student in a city as great as St. Petersburg and not being able to freely leave my home because some idiots are randomly choosing victims from my hostel because we are dark skinned foreigners.
I hope things get better. The sad part is that foreign students and business people bring money and expertise into Russia, as they do to any country.
Globalization is the future.
These criminals are hurting Russia. It is embarrassing and disgraceful and will discourage international business from setting up shop in Russia because they can not guarantee the safety of their employees. And professional people will not want to remain in Russia becuase the career oppoutunites will remain very limited.