Job Discussion Forums

[zedington]

This is probably a loaded question, but as an American male in my late 20s, coming to Russia to teach English, what can I reasonably expect in terms of a social life? I don�t mean clubbing until 4 in the morning all week, and running through Russian women like old socks, that�s not what I�m interested in. I mean just the basics that I�ve come to expect over here in Dallas, i.e. a solid group of friends I see frequently and the possibilities of a steady monogamous dating life.

Does the life of an expat English teacher allow the time for that sort of thing, and are the people open to befriending Americans? I�m the antithesis of the �ugly American,� and tend to be a very open-minded, patient, and empathic person who loves meeting people from all cultures (which I would presume is pretty standard for most English teachers teaching abroad).

I hear wildly different reports regarding how American�s are viewed in Russia. I realize, of course, that this is probably becuase, like anywhere else, people are different all over Russia. That said, I�m just trying to get a general idea, based on the experiences of other Americans already over there.

Again, just so this is crystal clear, I�m not asking what the party life is like over there, and will I get laid a lot. I�m just trying to ascertain the overall level of goodwill toward a friendly and educated American who is open to immersing himself into this culture, while focusing on his job of teaching.

At any rate, thanks in advance for any replies. Ultimately I know this question is very vague, and open to individual experience, but it�s my only one real reservation about coming. The harsh winters, lack of western comforts, and low pay, I can handle. The lack of social interaction, however, not so much.

Anyway, if anyone has links to other messageboards, or is willing to let me PM them a million questions as they come to my mind, it would be tremendously appreciated

Thanks again.

[malcoml]

On a teachers wage you would not baable to afford to live the very exciting lifestyle that some expats live. As for making friends and going to a coffee shop now and again, or a bar for a few drinks. Yes this would be ok but you will find majority of your friends are studens you teach and other teachers.

[zedington]

I should have mentioned, I won�t be going until next year, and I�ll be taking two semesters of Intro Russian in the interim, as well as seeing a Russian Tutor twice a week. While I don�t expect this to make me fluent by next August, I do assume this will make a rather significant difference in my ability to make friends with Russians.

[Katyusha]

Don't worry, you won't need much Russian to teach English in class. AND a lot of Russian chicks speak fluent Entlish.

[Prince Frog]

I really don't think you will have a problem making friends and socializing in Russia. In my experience (1 year living is Petersburg as well as doing several internships In Siberia and Voronezh) Russians for the most part are very engaging and open to conversation, more so even than in America. The expat community there is also very helpful and some of my best friendships are a result of my time spent in the RF.

Most likely points of frustration will arise from things like bureaucratic nonsense, pushy babushkas and trying to use the metro during chaspik (rush hour).

As long as you are willing to interact, try to learn Russian, and are open to trying new things, you will do fine. Oh, and watch out for the Vodka. Trust me, you will never outdrink a Russian in a vodka drinking contest. Ahem, that is to say, I don't know that from personal experience per se, but that is the rumor. None of that Texas bravado here!

Have fun and good luck!

[zedington]

[P-T]

Wow! I can't believe no-one bothered to reply to your last post on this thread ... or maybe I can. You're absolutely on the button, & those who love to complain about how low the pay is in this work also seem to conveniently forget that we have fewer expenses.

You're going to have a great time in Russia, just so long as you remember to pack your patience hat & funny bone!

Good luck!

[BELS]

QUOTE:
The average pay for a TEFL teacher is about $600 per month; 2-The cost of living in a major Russian city is considerably less than living in a major American city


I think you are in for a shock big time, the cost of living in Moscow is consideribly higher than any major city in the USA and the UK. I dont know why, because it makes no logical sense considering what a typical muscovite earns in income. As far as your nightlife is concerned buying a bottle of Russian beer and a packet of russian cigarettes in a street kiosk, everything else is over-priced in Moscow. inflation is at 12% per year. and at a measly $600 or even $1200 per month you are going to have a miserable time.

You wont have much of a social life anyway. the most popular times for those who want to learn Russian is when they finish work. You will be working until 10pm and then you have the travel home in the Metro

[P-T]

[steven_gerrard]

I certainly didn't have a miserable time when I was living in Moscow and earning $600 (+ flat) a month. You certainly won't on $1200. Providing you have no financial responsibilities back home (student loans etc) to pay off- you'll live very well on that amount of money. Most EFL teachers live on a lot less and manage fine.

In most schools you'll find you're working til 9 or 9:30 but then you won't be starting work perhaps until 4 or 5 (on a couple of days at least). You'll still have the weekend! Moscow is truly a 24 hour city so even if you finish work late, there are still many places you can go for a meal or a drink or whatever.

[canucktechie]

[kazachka]

It all depends on how you choose to live. Personally, I can't fathom how one can exist on $650 a month in Moscow. Sure, I hear some schools pay for a flat BUT from what I understand, they are far out and you have a roommate or two. By the way, there are schools/language centers that pay much more than 650 or even 1200 a mo. I'd advise working for one of these that pay full-timers in the 2,000 ish range and then supplement your income with privates. I taught in Alaska for 9 years and my monthly income in my highest paying yrs was about 25-2600 (after taxes and all that crap). The official annual salary was about 50,000 BUT anyone in the US understands that about a third goes to deductions. My expenses in the Far North were among the highest in the US. Rent was 725-850 over the years. Food averaged 3-400 a month as grocery prices were ghastly up there. Add utilities and the rest of the bills and there wasn't much left at the end of the month.
In Moscow, I rent in a green area for 450 and can do groceries at about 150 a month. I don't have my car expenses and many of the bills I had back in the US. My take home pay in Moscow (from my work and privates) is just about what I was getting in Alaska after taxes. BUT BUT BUT, I can actually save some money here whereas it was difficult in Alaska on a similar income. I'm here long-term, so I did a lot of research as to where I could work and get a salary comparable to what I had been earning. On 650 a month, I'd barely exist. Food and rent have increased significantly over the past 3 yrs as have apartment prices. On 1,500, I suppose one could do OK, but there wouldn't be much of a savings at the end of the month. On 2000, one could live very well. Believe me, there are good places here that pay these wages and ON TIME! It takes a bit of time and effort to look into the possibilities, but it's well worth it. I was living in Moscow 4 months a yr when I worked in Alaska and took the time to scope out the possibilities. I evaluated each offer carefully and tried to talk to teachers at various places when possible to get frank feedback. It was one of the best investments of my time I made! As for social life, there is always something fun to do in Moscow. I tell people if they are bored, they aren't trying hard enough. there is something here for everyone! As for money- I'm about as frugal as they come I'd rather save in case I need money then live extravagantly and blow it all.

[kazachka]

THAN....
is there really no way to edit??

[steven_gerrard]

Although there is money to be made over here, don't come to Moscow for that reason alone as you may be disappointed. If you have any debts or financial responsibility elsewhere, Moscow may not be the place for you -hell, EFL isn't for you.

*wonders what Kazachka does with the rest of her $2000 after spending 450 on rent and 150 (!) on groceries*

[kazachka]

Actually, I came here for many reasons and it was a well-planned move Teaching is what I do and enjoy. I'm quite happy here. In the States, I taught Russian and ESL. Now, it's EFL. Ironically, most of my social life has always been in Moscow. It's the only place in the world where I can say I've had a strong network of friends since I was in high school (and gads that was ...errr before the fall of the Soviet Union...). As for the money, I just need to be able to put enough aside to be able to go back to the U.S. for a few weeks in the summer to take the necessary recency credits for my teaching cert. I can't EVER let that sucker lapse. I also like to have something on hand in case of emergency/family emergency as my mom is quite ill. Just thinking ahead