Job Discussion Forums

[JamesonWhiskey]

Привет товарищи! I realize that the internet is buzzing with bad news about Russia. The posts on this forum aren't that positive either. Understandable, I sympathize with everyone. I used to feel proud about saving half my paycheck. Now I look at all those saved Rubles, think about how much they were worth five months ago, and I feel pessimistic.

However, cursing the economy and the shitty state of things doesn't change anything. It just makes it easier to feel depressed about being in Russia. And maybe scares off people who are on the edge about coming. That's not what we want. Russia is cool! It's got plenty of flaws but no country is perfect.

So I thought, let's post some of the positive aspects of being in Russia!
I'll start.

-I love how cheap public transportation is. The Metro Exactly 1/3 the price of NYC and an elektreechka ticket is only a dollar from my town to Moscow.

-I like how you can point and grunt (вот) in shops. You don't have to pretend to be friends with people selling you a piece of chicken. Some people like niceties at their shop. I don't. I do my shopping after teaching for six hours and I don't want to feign feelings of camaraderie I don't feel.

-In general, people are very accommodating in helping me to learn the language. They go out of their way, above and beyond the call of duty. Especially when I conjugate a verb wrong. Супер!

-For New Year's I received, from my students, the following; tea, chocolate, three wooden puzzles, a drawing and two bottles of champagne. My oldest student is thirteen years old. I thought it was so cool such young students (or their parents) were so considerate to me.

What else can you guys add?

[Sashadroogie]

An excellent thread idea! Double plus good!

The biggest plus for me is students and local colleagues who can challenge me to develop my own teaching skills and learning further. Not something that too many other destinations offer.

[alex1970]

I agree there are some great things about being in Russia and I always defend Russia when I hear unjust criticism or the usual stereotypes. I also have received a lot of kindness from some students.

Now on to the negative side..many people are still rude but this is usually in anything to do with bureaucracy. Also some students and nearly all of the schools expect you to teach for next to nothing. I would advise anyone still thinking of teaching in Russia is to advertise for private students and teach in a company that has staff wanting to learn English as apposed to students in schools that are only there because their parents ordered them to attend.

[alex1970]

I should add that I am married to a Russian but we both agree that the economy is in a shambles and things are not so cheap as before.

[Sashadroogie]

Most things here have always been overpriced. But our lessons have also been overpriced to match. There have been some changes in some areas, course books, Ikea, electronics, some foodstuffs. But things remain affordable. Savings can't be built up as fast. Belts will need tightening. But the situation is far from the catastrophe some of the news reports would have us beleive.

So, that's another good thing about Russia. Just jack up your private lesson rate, and somebody will still be found to pay it. And probably be glad they have such an expensive teacher too : )

[Foma87]

I actually think that the media has in some cases downplayed the extent of the crisis. In fact, products have gone up in price across the board, even ones produced in Russia. How much? Depends. But I'd say on average of about 15-25%. According to the state, salaries will go down about 2% and about the same percentage of the population will lose work (I tend to think these numbers are on the low side). Moreover, GDP is estimated to go down by about 3%.

Positives? Well, the price for services has remained about the same (for now), domestic production has grown, crappy and corrupt businesses have gone under, economic crisis is often a stimulus for political and economic reform (which Russia drastically needs). And yea, Russia is still a fantastically rich culture and fascinating place to live. Nothing has changed that. Nevertheless, I'm going back home in the summer for a couple a years to continue my education. However, I have no doubt Russia will have become a very different country when I return, either for better or worse.

[maruss]

I would never dispute that-the big question for most people is whether these things are enough to justify tolerating all the other negative aspects,especially with the way things are going nowadays?This is the essential thing that people should ask themselves BEFORE making the decision to go there or not?
Unless you are prepared to spend time and effort finding lucrative private students Russia was never the place to make money and this applies even more nowadays....

[Sashadroogie]

Not enough positivity here!!!

- never have to pay for films or music discs. All found easily online.

- never have to pay for EFL or Kindle books. All found easily online.

Ura!

[Sashadroogie]

- never have to queue for taxi. Just flag any car on the street down and fix a fare.

[Sashadroogie]

- there is always somebody who knows how to hack or crack your PC system into shape.

[Sashadroogie]

- an endless array of concert orchestra, theatrical performances that would shame most other European cities.

[Sashadroogie]

- and then there is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNGwvgALwBU

[JamesonWhiskey]

И сейчас можно купить алкоголь до двенадцать часов. Где я живу, до последняя неделя не возможно купить пиво или огонь вода после девять часов.

Instead of fixing the economy, corruption or Ukraine, they did that!

Good enough for me

[Sashadroogie]

Ah, if you haven't picked up your drinkies by lunchtime, you just aren't trying : )

[JamesonWhiskey]