The Tips For Living In A Russian-Speaking Home During Your Studies

The Tips For Living In A Russian-Speaking Home During Your Studies How To Find A Host Family To Study In Russia? ChaptersThe Best Russian Cities For StudentsA Good Living Option For Living AbroadGetting Around In RussiaLearning About Russian CultureTips For Living Well With Your Russian Host FamilyPolite Gestures When Staying In A Russian HouseholdWhen Should You Start To Look For Your Host Family?Agencies Which Help You To Settle In RussiaSo you have decided to study in Russia! Now what? Well first things first, you need to secure yourself some accommodation that suits your budget and your living style. If you have never been to Russia before then, it is likely that you do not speak the language. So this will limit your entry into the rental market significantly for you since Russians tend not to speak other languages for the most part.So how can you solve the issue of moving to a new country where you will be unable to communicate for some time? It would be ideal for you to be able to speak Russian before you go or at least do a bit of language study to learn some of the basics to help yourse lf once you land. But as a student, you have the unique opportunity to have the support and help of your local university and the Russian university that you will be studying in.Student exchange has been going on since ancient times, and exchange programs have become quite good at solving cross-cultural issues to do with living, language and culture for students who enrol on study abroad programs. As an exchange student no matter whether you plan on studying abroad to get your bachelor degree, improve your language skills and proficiency or just to get an international education for the academic year. You will have support every step of the way, the education system will guide you from the applying stages to the student visas, to the language skills that you need to settle into your semester with your international university.Once you are enrolled and have your funding, whether from an internship, scholarships or other sources. You will be given a sort of checklist of things that ne ed to be completed or provided for you to be able to go abroad. Things like having your passport, having funds to cover your stay etc. A counsellor at your school will be able to help get through the checklist by the deadline. Different countries have different rules for exchange students, and your eligibility will depend on you completing the requirements.Once you have done everything required of you it will be time to think about where to live in the Russian Federation; Moscow and Saint Petersburg are popular options. But of course, only one thing can dictate where you live, and that is where the Russian university is that has accepted you. Even though you are overseas, you can look at a map to get a good idea of the area that you might live in. You can also do some research to find out whether students tend on campus or around your university.Russian is always easier to learn if you are in contact with the locals. Photo Source: UnsplashHaving a family at home when you return from school who can support or celebrate with you.Host families cost much less than renting privatelyYou can also choose to have a full board option where your new Russian mother will cook for you.You are may be able to get a discount if you stay for a longer time.You may be able to make some extra pocket money by offering to do chores like babysitting or cleaning for the family.You will form a life long connection with a new family.Your family will be used to hosting so they will be friendly, approachable and understand how to take care of you.A benefit or a disadvantage is that your host family may or may not speak English. The benefits of them speaking only Russian are that you will have to learn Russian to be able to communicate. The disadvantage of that, however, is that in first months until you learn might be difficult. While they will know how to help and of course be kind, you won't be able to communicate. Hosts having low English language proficiency will  be just the pressure you need to help you to learn faster.You can choose to study Russian. Photo Source: UnsplashPolite Gestures When Staying In A Russian HouseholdRussian culture like all culture is distinct, there may be lots of things that you notice and may not be able to understand. You should take this as a positive thing and make an effort to learn about the people and culture. Of course, this multicultural interaction can at times be tiring and feel like hard work. But the beautiful thing about different cultures is that you have to open your mind to welcome them into your heart as they are doing of you and your weird cultural norms. Remember you are in Russia, so you are the weird one even if it feels the other way around. Take the opportunity to do research about the culture and join in with these new ways to express yourself.Bring a small gift to your host family to thank them for agreeing to host you.Families spend a lot of time together and can even stay awake late into the night just enjo ying each other company. Join in if you can.Maybe the family sleep in 1 room instead of having their own rooms like you may be used to.People may not smile as much with strangers, which may appear cold but it is just the Russian way.When Should You Start To Look For Your Host Family?It is advisable to look for your host family as soon as possible as your application is approved to study abroad. Because you will need an address in Russia to be approved for the visa. Your university must help you with this as they are experts in the process. There are many ways to find a host family in Russia such as:Your universities international student centreLanguage schools or a language program,Volunteering organisations,Au pair organisations,Organised trip companies,If you follow common sense given by your university on the matter. In the end, the host family that you stay with will be an experience that you never forget. Living in a host family is an enriching experience: ready to embark on yo ur search for a perfect Russian family?Agencies Which Help You To Settle In RussiaOne of the possible agencies to look at when considering a move to Russia for study purposes is Ribttes. Ribttes declares itself as  â€œthe company giving services in three major categories, we specialize only in Russia for these categories services, Study in Russia, Business in Russia and Travel to Russia.”Their services for students include a number of guides and information sheets regarding visas, education, work permits and much, much more, plus they have  phone line that you can contact Monday to Friday 10am-6pm with any relevant queries.We wish you luck finding your temporary home in Russia!