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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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 Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 8:38 am Post subject: Advice for Jo Jo |
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1) Get in touch with folks on the Expat board so you can talk to the people who actually did what you're planning to do and work as english teachers in Moscow. You can exchange some emails, participate on the forum and maybe even connect by phone. Nowadays, you can find cheap calling cards on the internet that make a call to Moscow cost a few pennies a minute. That way you can get a much more objective picture of what life is like for Americans, Canadians and Europeans in Moscow. Also, you can establish some frindships/relationshisp with the members of the expat community in Moscow, so that when you actully come to Moscow, you can visit the bars/cafes where they hang out. And better yet, visit the language schools and apartments where they live, so you can truly experience what it's like to work and live in Moscow. After all, the center of Moscow is full of expensive restaurants and hotels that very few can afford - not really a place to experience a "real" life in Moscow where middle class people live and hang out. Moscow just like the rest of Europe has a "cafe culture". So, I am sure there are cafes/coffee shops where expats hang out/chill/have get-togethers.
2) Don't wait until the summer. Go to Moscow in the spring. That will save you a lot of money (moscow is most expensive in the summer) and will give you a better idea on how to plan your future and career.
3) Consider St Petersburg where traffic jams are smaller, life is cheaper and the city has European charm. It's not as developed and the salaries are lower than those in Moscow. But the prices for everything are lower, so at the end the quality of life may be better. It's is certainly worth visiting St Petersburg if you have time. |
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jo-jo-7
Just Starting
Joined: 16 Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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Spicey...Thanks for the advice....I have been having second thoughts on what you said..so, I don't think I will work in Russia now....I may go to visit in the spring or summer and that will be all...St. Petersburg will more than likely be the place I will visit...not Moscow...and it isn't the expense...but if I have time to go I will..I am in college and maybe during a break I will fly to St. Pete...Thanks for the links....  |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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You're doing yourself a huge disservice by not visiting Moscow. St Pete is absolutely a trip in itself, but so is Moscow. There will never - ***never*** - be a better time in your life than now to visit. It may very well set the tone and direction for your life. If I had the means to travel when I was in college I would have done so. If I had the smarts to recognize how eye (and door) opening it could be, I would have come up with the means. The one thing I will teach my kids is to go into life with their eyes open, knowing that they can live and work anywhere - and can be anyone they want. For someone who has posted almost 600 times in the last two and a half months (how the hell did you do that?), you obviously are interested in Russia. Don't fuck around and not visit - save your pennies and come live here for a few months in the summer. You'd be amazed at how easy it is.
that's my two cents. |
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MrSpice
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| jo jo 7 wrote: | | Spicey...Thanks for the advice....I have been having second thoughts on what you said..so, I don't think I will work in Russia now....I may go to visit in the spring or summer and that will be all...St. Petersburg will more than likely be the place I will visit...not Moscow...and it isn't the expense...but if I have time to go I will..I am in college and maybe during a break I will fly to St. Pete...Thanks for the links.... |
I am sort of said to hear. I did not mean to be so negative that you change your mind. Let me talk about some positives (there are many):
1) Working in Moscow as an English teacher can be very exciting. It's a city that is growing rapidly, both in terms of people and economy. There are lots of opportunities for someone who is a native English speaker.
2) Moscow is filled with clubs/restaurants/theaters/cafes/etc. It has enterntainment options that are way above what you will find in Kentucky. It is truly a metropolis filled with excitement
3) Working in Russia will certainly be a very exciting experience for you; I am sure that you will have memories that will last the lifetime. In general, working abroad can be very rewarding and interesting experience. And because of the perculiarities of Russia and its size, it can be even more interesting.
Why don't you want to visit Moscow? It's a very exciting city. It is certainly worth visiting. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:41 am Post subject: |
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| living any where in the world can be easy and rewarding-provided one has the means to support it. Are the wages in Russia sufficient for someone to survive off of teaching English. I've seen it where salaries are not even $1000.00 a month-which on western standards are not sufficient. So one would have to supplement that income with savings etc. The hard thing is: not living there in Russia on the salaries...it's the transitions coming back to a western standard of living. Not coming home broke...and then having to pay for a new place...a new car...etc. etc. So if you are going to Russia for say even just 6 months to a year...is it worth it to work for a pitence wage...hardly not! Except for the experience of it. A job will allow for interacting more with the people and experiencing the culture there. I was told realistically for me to live the way I am accustomed to that I would need a minimum of $3k a month in St Pete and for 2 people then $5k. I noticed rents are pretty pricey...cheap place being $1000.00 a month. For a clean, safe, and convenient place. Plus as a visitor I would want to travel about and see things too. Food is cheap, the metro is cheap, but eating out is the same as here. Going out is the same as here, and buying things-well don't really need much. So I guess expenses would be minimal for a single person. Anyways you'll never know unless you go. |
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MrSpice
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:18 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | living any where in the world can be easy and rewarding-provided one has the means to support it. Are the wages in Russia sufficient for someone to survive off of teaching English. I've seen it where salaries are not even $1000.00 a month-which on western standards are not sufficient. So one would have to supplement that income with savings etc. The hard thing is: not living there in Russia on the salaries...it's the transitions coming back to a western standard of living. Not coming home broke...and then having to pay for a new place...a new car...etc. etc. So if you are going to Russia for say even just 6 months to a year...is it worth it to work for a pitence wage...hardly not! Except for the experience of it. A job will allow for interacting more with the people and experiencing the culture there. I was told realistically for me to live the way I am accustomed to that I would need a minimum of $3k a month in St Pete and for 2 people then $5k. I noticed rents are pretty pricey...cheap place being $1000.00 a month. For a clean, safe, and convenient place. Plus as a visitor I would want to travel about and see things too. Food is cheap, the metro is cheap, but eating out is the same as here. Going out is the same as here, and buying things-well don't really need much. So I guess expenses would be minimal for a single person. Anyways you'll never know unless you go. |
I heard that some can make 2-3K/month teaching English in Moscow. It's probably not easy to find that kind of job, but possible for someone willing to work hard - and someone who does a good job. She can give private lessons as well. It's not guranteed of course. But she wanted to do it. Certainly, she did not expect to get wealthy from teaching English. Even here in the US, teachers start with a relatively low salary - and that's after Masters and several certification exams. In Moscow, she could intially share with some other expats and teachers.
In any case, why did she want to do it so much in the past and now does not want to do at all? I did not say anything in my post regarding salaries or income. So what happened all of a sudden? |
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surfguy
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Joined: 13 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:13 am Post subject: |
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| she still wants to do it...I don't think it's about money. Shoot if you are going to russia to make money from teaching then you won't achieve that. But Moscow is expensive...and who wants to travel to live like a popper. And the best way to experience any place is to not have to worry about money |
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MrSpice
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:50 am Post subject: |
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| Jo jo does not like it when I talk about American women as if they are more or less the same. But I certainly noticed that most American women who came to this forum happy and excited about Russia, lose interest quickly once you point out some of the realities of the country, even though it does not really take away the excitement and education value of the experience. |
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surfguy
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Joined: 13 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:53 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | In any case, why did she want to do it so much in the past and now does not want to do at all? I did not say anything in my post regarding salaries or income. So what happened all of a sudden? |
Maybe she met someone that she doesn't want to be away from for so long... |
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surfguy
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Joined: 13 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:57 am Post subject: |
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| MrSpice wrote: | | Jo jo does not like it when I talk about American women as if they are more or less the same. But I certainly noticed that most American women who came to this forum happy and excited about Russia, lose interest quickly once you point out some of the realities of the country, even though it does not really take away the excitement and education value of the experience. |
Well I think Russia is a cold harsh place for the most part and honestly how many western foriegners go there and stay or make thier lives there? I should think really not that many |
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MrSpice
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:12 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: |
Well I think Russia is a cold harsh place for the most part and honestly how many western foriegners go there and stay or make thier lives there? I should think really not that many |
I actually heard that Moscow attracts quite a few foreigners nowadays. It's really aflush with money. Many Americans copme to take advantage of the computer scientists and engineers - Moscow has its share of offshore software development firms. The financial sector is booming. So, Russia overall is not a popular place for foreigners. But Mosow is like a state within the state. There are certainly lots of sites where English teacher jobs in Moscow are advertised. |
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surfguy
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:25 am Post subject: |
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| MrSpice wrote: | | surfguy wrote: |
Well I think Russia is a cold harsh place for the most part and honestly how many western foriegners go there and stay or make thier lives there? I should think really not that many |
I actually heard that Moscow attracts quite a few foreigners nowadays. It's really aflush with money. Many Americans copme to take advantage of the computer scientists and engineers - Moscow has its share of offshore software development firms. The financial sector is booming. So, Russia overall is not a popular place for foreigners. But Mosow is like a state within the state. There are certainly lots of sites where English teacher jobs in Moscow are advertised. |
Yes true in Moscow...but you have to work in those sectors and receive western salaries from western firms. But this is not the teaching abroad programs. JoJo is not a young college student who is still only 22 and not out to make the mighty dollar. She is a bit older and I'm sure is looking for the right career move. Well and for romance...romance of traveling. Of course I should not be speaking for her
...JoJo why the change and what are your plans and the reasons for them? I know one of them but that is better left for pms...but yes it's apparent that the forum wants to know. |
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jo-jo-7
Just Starting
Joined: 16 Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:29 am Post subject: |
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I have been trying to post something but this stupid log on is giving me some trouble...
I can be bad about changing my mind really fast and it has to do with facing places or things I don't know anything about so, I have had this yurn in my stomach all day, I would be a fool not to go and check out all the stuff in Russia and I am resending my decision....I am taking Spiceys advice for a vacation first...this way I can go talk to the Moscow University and see if I can get hired on as a English teacher first before moving there and this way I can look around and get a feel for Moscow...I am afraid that I won't make the rent there and this is one of the reasons what caused me to think and have second thoughts..the other reason only one other person knows.. ...but, I want to see Russia....so I guess I have to take the good with the bad....I am not going over there to get wealthy...I wanna see and meet people there..I have saved some money which will get me there to see Moscow....Spicey gave me some good advice and this is something that I should learn before going over, so they are not negative at all....I have learned alot from them and I will take heed to information that helps me... |
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MrSpice
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:24 am Post subject: |
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| Jo jo: Really glad to hear it. It seems like a wise and smart decision. Good luck to you! I hope you won't forget about this forum and let us know what your impressions were upon return back to the US. |
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surfguy
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Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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| that's if she returns she might just get swept off her feet. Thier is a good program on the History Channel International on the history of Russia. Supposed to air again on the 15th |
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