Job Discussion Forums

[taylor.1988]

Hi everyone,

I hope I am not being stupid, but is racism something I should legitimately worry about in Moscow or St. Pete? I am ethnically Korean, currently living in NZ looking to have my big OE in Russia by teaching ESOL (currently have Trinity TESOL + BA in English/Language Teaching + 2 years ESOL exp).

Am I likely to be a target of some sort? I just watched a russian skinhead doco on youtube, so needless to say, i am PARANOID. I understand that there are risks anywhere including NZ, but is there a prevalence of attacks against people of Asian appearance?

Also, with my exp and quals above, what can i expect to earn in a "McSchool" (just to take a safer option)? Will I be taken seriously as an English teacher, being Korean and all?

Answers to any of those questions would be greatly appreciated

Kind regards,

Taylor

[spiral78]

The Russia experts will be along shortly (time zone difference) but I have done project work in Moscow and I believe there is rampant racism going on in the city. Unfortunately, I think that you should in fact be concerned and cautious about this.

Attacks on the street and police harassment aside, you may also have a hard time getting schools to take you seriously. Their clients will be expecting someone they will immediately perceive as a native English speaker. They are more open to a range of 'looks' than many Asian countries, in terms of age and fitness levels (not necessarily seeking Britney and Brad look-alikes here), but I am not sure how seriously an Asian face will be taken.

I realise it's not fair or nice, but it's really important to be aware.

Anyway, my perception may be overblown and do wait for the real Russky to show up before you get worried!

[taylor.1988]

Thank you for the awesomely quick reply Spiral.

I was really hoping that wouldn't be an issue... alas the cruel world! I was hoping to decipher the enigma that is within another enigma... within another enigma! (or whatever churchill said)

I understand the Asian appearance thing. It was hard enough finding an ESOL job in NZ, because it turns out that international students would rather have an attractive white lady with blonde hair with little or no quals than my personal experience of learning english from scratch 10 years ago + quals + teaching exp...

Anyhow, let's hope someone tells me that noone is going to violently boot me to death in a subway bathroom somewhere whilst reciting mein kampf...

Cheers

[taylor.1988]

Another question...

I was also considering Georgia via footprints recruiting, but again will i be taken seriously? or be attacked? (or even selected for that matter...)

maybe i chose the wrong career lol

[spiral78]

You might consider Czech Rep or Poland - still a few issues with legitimacy, but relatively safe for asian faces. I've got several teacher friends of Asian descent who have made teaching careers in this region.

Anyway, don't cross Russia off yet - the big dogs still aren't here to weigh in, and my fears may be overblown.

[ancient_dweller]

In my experience I have never met a teacher with an Indian ar African appearance. So I cannot comment. To me it makes no difference either way. It is just an observation. However, I have met many teachers (5 or more) with East Asian appearances, Korean/Chinese. Can I say for sure that they have suffered no racism? - no. Have I ever heard about them suffering from racism? - no. Have they ever talked about it? - no.

Whilst racism clearly does exist - as it does everywhere in the world - you are right to be asking questions.

Moscow is multi-cultural in comaparison to the rest of Russia and someone with an other than Russian appearance would not look out of place.

As for being taking seriously - yes - you definitely would be. I would not be surprised if some students were narrow minded enough to make jokes based on ethinicity but that has nothing to do with their respect for your ability to do the job. I have been told a few times the dislike at how Brits and Yanks butt their noses into Russia's business all the time.

Also, I have never had a student who has made any sort of racist comments - beyond something like what I said above.

One thing that you must remember is that - in the classroom, you are the leader, and you are in control, people will generally only go as far as you let them. Suppose the same goes for anything.

I would really recommend Russia and especially Moscow. In saying that Eastern Russia has a lot Chinese; sitting on China's border.

This post is once again another list of negatives - which is good, but there are lots of positives. Don't give up on all the possibilities based on the viewpoints of a few narrow minded and bigoted people. You will have those people anywhere in the world.

Remember:

Russians are great, enthusiastic, opinionated and energetic students. Who on the whole are educated and well-read. You won't get to teach people like that without working in a university back home.

[ancient_dweller]

It was hard enough finding an ESOL job in NZ, because it turns out that international students would rather have an attractive white lady with blonde hair with little or no quals than my personal experience of learning english from scratch 10 years ago + quals + teaching exp... [quote]


You will have no probs in Moscow with that kind of experience. People really respect someone for their professional abilities.

Also, as for NZ, the blond lady point clicks so well. We had a NZ kid move to UK and he started at our school. The guy was a skirt chaser, he could not believe his luck the amount of blonds walking about. Always saying 'ye bro, ye, bro' great guy!

[GF]

Sorry ancient_dweller but I can't agree with you. I think he very well may encounter racism either directly or indirectly in Moscow. Russians in general expect a European (as in white person) teacher of the language. Yes, there have been other races/nationalities who came and had a good experience in Moscow, but there are others who did not. This guy has to know that he is taking his chances to some degree. For example, in my inlaws' district, a Russian girl was killed a few years ago by some Tajiks or Kazaks (I don't remember which) and the reaction of the local nationalists was terrible. The local street cleaners were all central Asians and in the space of 4 weeks or so they were all gone (chased away by all the beatings) and were replaced by Ukrainians, Belorussians, etc. I am sorry to say this but most Asiatics in Moscow are either street cleaners or workers in various markets. That fact is not lost on the locals.

[coledavis]

I am sorry to say that I agree with GF. Although there are of course decent and open-minded people in Russia, there is a lot of racism about. I remember talking to a black man living in Moscow who said that about 30% of people treated him in a prejudicial manner. When I was in a shop in a Russian town, I can remember security staff continuing to follow a group of perfectly innocuous manual workers from central Asia. So, by all means try, but I don't think it right not to warn you of possible unpleasantness.

[taylor.1988]

I think it's certainly good to see both sides of the coin, thank you ancient dweller. It's nice to hear a positive p.o.v.

I do imagine that I will face racism anywhere I go, however, it is nothing i'm not used to. I've been living in NZ for 11 years, starting in intermediate school through to uni, and faced discrimination (subtle/overt) everywhere... and I found that often it is not with malintent but a result of ignorance. However, most people chose to keep to themselves in NZ rather than, say, randomly provoke me on the streets (it did happen, but very rarely and only verbally from moving cars), whatever their preconceptions about Asians.

Question is, are Russians in general more likely to act on their preconceptions of East Asians by making my life extra difficult as an English teacher (IF I can find a job), or dragging me to a meat factory to process me with their steel-capped boots? lol... Overall, if we were to heavily generalise, are my odds of being a physically safe teacher good or bad? (i'm more concerned for my physical wellbeing to start with)

Also, ancient dweller, i am quite fond of blondes myself - in fact my girlfriend is one

[taylor.1988]

Also, spiral earlier mentioned that I may be better received in Czech Rep or Poland. Whilst I have little interest in Poland (because I know nothing of it yet), Czech Rep definitely interests me.

From research I see that the most common route in Czech is to take a TESOL course with a provider who will get you a job upon completion. I already have a Trinity TESOL, so what are my other options? Is the best option to hit the streets once I land?

Also, I am wondering if Georgia would be a possibility for me (3 months volunteering if they still do that) - if my host family isn't likely to be hostile.

Thanks all for being helpful

[Jazziz23]

...

[spiral78]

Yes, your Trinity cert will be respected in the Czech Rep and you should be a reasonable candidate for jobs there starting September. It's a competitive job market, though, and jobs are best found in person.


So far as racism in Russia, do keep in mind that the police and other authorities are not exactly models of PC behaviour. It's not necessarily just the thugs one needs to beware of.

[kazpat]

..........................

[GF]

@taylor.1988

Walking down the street with a blonde (I am assuming Russian or at least white girlfriend) will NOT go over well with the locals if it looks like you are a couple (arm-in-arm or holding hands). Even here in Tallinn, I saw a black guy get knocked unconscious in broad daylight in Old Town only because of that.

@Jazziz23

That Bruce Lee ---- will get you through casual racism no problem. If you are big and muscular, then many racists just won't bother because many of them are cowards at heart. However, watch out for groups of young drunk guys because these 'wolf packs' are extremely dangerous as they can attack en masse and if they want to get someone they will use steel pipes, tire irons and baseball bats. In fact, it is amazing how many baseball bats are sold in a country where virtually no one plays the game.

On a more positive note, most Russians are wonderful people and will not bother you at all. However, in a city of 10 million or so over the course of an academic year, you are bound to run into some of the less distinguished members of society. As in all cities around the world, common sense and awareness will help you to avoid most trouble.