In September 2014, I took an incredible leap of faith that changed the course of my life. I joined International Language Programs (ILP) and moved to Moscow, Russia for 4 months. Without fail, the number one question I’m asked regarding this trip is “did you feel safe?” In addition to Russia being my first time abroad, I wasn’t exactly moving somewhere that sympathized with American points of view. I WAS nervous. That being said, once I settled in I found that I was actually quite safe.
#1 Language Barrier
Some people might find this intimidating. I went to Russia knowing NO RUSSIAN. I literally could not talk to a single person on the street. But that also meant no one could talk to me! AKA no panhandling, no helping with directions (sorry not sorry), and no random dudes/chicks hitting on you. Every time someone talked to me on the street, I’d simply tell them I don’t speak Russian! (I did however help someone with directions in English. He told me my English was a quite good for a second language. LOL)
#2 The Metro System
Guess what! Metro is the same word in Russian. If you can say metro, you’ll find your way home from ANYWHERE in Moscow. Not to mention the Moscow metro system is simple, clean, efficient, and has its own app. Shout out to ILP for providing the teachers with metro passes! Check out the metro system here.
#3 The U.S. Embassy
The State Department has a brilliant tool called STEP. I can’t recommend it enough. You sign up and receive travel warnings and alerts from the local U.S. Embassy (i.e. natural disasters and civil unrest). Throughout the 4 months I lived in Russia, I received 4 emails regarding “anti-American” rallies with their respective location and times. Conflict avoided = mission accomplished.
#4 Russians don’t hate Americans.
They honestly don’t. They just hate Obama and American foreign policy. My friend Alexa (her blog here) was asked, “You could pick anyone to be your president, and you picked him?” Political opinions aside, the sanctions were the main cause of hard feelings; but I never felt victimized or harassed for being American.
#5 Russians are loving people
YES, Russians have families just like we do. They go to church, they volunteer, and they work hard for their keep. They just speak a different language and wear a little too much fur. 😉 But honestly, the school staff and parents were extremely welcoming and even gave us good-bye gifts at the end of the semester. ACTIONS speak louder than words.
#6 Russians mind their own business
We’ve all heard it. Russians are cold and standoff-ish. Not really! They’re just reserved. Russians take some warming up to. When you do make friends, and you will, they are incredibly loyal, helpful, and generous.
#7 I’m white! (Caucasian)
At first glance, I didn’t exactly stick out in Moscow. This may or may not apply to you. But for me, I’m a 6 foot, Caucasian male. Other factors did weigh in. I didn’t wear fur and I may or may not have lip synced my music on the metro. You can take the American out of America, but you can’t America out of the American.
#8 Police Presence in Moscow
It was reassuring for me to see policemen all throughout the city. There’s usually at least one officer posted inside the metro stations. I’ve seen them check passports, although they never checked mine. Just seeing them around made me feel safer.
#9 Safety in numbers
ILP has a nifty rule. NO SOLO TRAVEL. This has pros and cons. But for Moscow, it was great to sight see as a group because we weren’t an easy target. We watched each other’s backs and made sure none one was swarmed by souvenir vendors.
#10 Moscow felt like HOME
This came with time. Yes, there was a week where I cried myself to sleep. But culture shock ended and I embraced this incredible culture I had immersed myself in. Upon arrival, there were people waiting to receive me into their lives unreservedly. Once I started to look at Moscow as my “home” and not just my “volunteer abroad destination,” it gave me reason to find joy in the journey.
ILP did a blog post on my experience here and my personal blog with excessive pictures and detailed itineraries can be found here. I miss my students, fellow teachers, and wonderful Russian friends. Russia will forever hold a place in my heart.