Way to Russia Talk Lounge

start wearing purple · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:22 am Post subject: Homestay VS Hotel

hey everyone! I'm planning on studying Russian at St. Petersburg State University for 3 months this summer (2008) and originally thought staying w/ a host family would be the better experience, but I read somewhere on this website that host families are great, but only for a few weeks and leave you yearning for a younger crowd. now, I plan on getting out and doing as much as possible (i.e. clubbing, sight-seeing, travelling) and wonder which would be the better scenario for such a lifestyle. I originally thought to stay out of the dorms b/c I'd be in a bloc of foreigners also studying Russian and I want to meet and make friends w/ as many Russians as possible to get the full experience. Also, I wanted to stay w/ a host family so I could maybe even get some cooking lessons in and the guaranteed single room is a definite plus. but if my coming in late after a show (definitely hoping to catch Leningrad at some point) or after a night of drinking and dancing will be an issue w/ my host family, then I'll have to check out the alternatives... thoughts? suggestions?

many thanks!
-Theresa

nikir · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject:

You will find that the people who take in students are liberal and progressive.

Do not expect babushkas sitting up and waiting for you, to check on your sobriety or the status of your virginity.

Do keep within the bounds of common courtesy and advise an ETA. If it changes then re advise. Phone calls at all hours are not a problem in Russia.

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 522

There should be some Russian students at the dormitory over summer (or at leat for part of it). It might be even easier to meet them since a lot of their freinds will be gone. I'd recommend it myself - I stayed at an MGU dorm for a couple of months in summer 5 ago and had a great time.

start wearing purple · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject:

I definitely wasn't expecting babushkas to be waiting up for me and such and figured that host families rather expect their student guests to go out and have fun. I'm just wondering which residence would make it easier and more fun to actually meet and make Russian friends as well as give me a better environment for learning the most Russian.

raingiver · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

Hi everyone,

Theresa, you seem to want everything at once Smile

If you really want to know our city and its residents, the best way of doing it would be living in a dorm or with a host family. You'd make a lot of friends and see the life here as it is.
But. Be ready to face some restrictions and inconveniences indeed. The dorms here are poorly furnished and equiped. And host family may really ask you not to come home too late or not to invite friends very often.
In the rest you're gonna have great time cause Summer is the season of so-called White Nights here which is very beautiful Smile

start wearing purple · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:41 am Post subject:

well, I suppose that's the stereotypical American mentality coming out... I want everything at once and want to sacrifice as little as possible. :p but seriously, I'm anything but a stereotypical American and am extremely excited for this opportunity to study in Russia.

I think I'm leaning toward staying with a host family, as I don't see there being an issue with coming in at an appropriate time or possibly staying elsewhere on nights I know I'll be out exceptionally late. The university hotel, I hear, is terribly overcrowded over the summers and the placement service offers to let its students pick from a number of host families. Dialogue with them is encouraged before departure to discuss the basic expectations on both ends. It's more expensive, but I'm sure I'll get more out of staying with a host family (with regard to culture and language) than in the dorms.

Thanks for the feedback! I greatly appreciate the advice!