Way to Russia Talk Lounge

yasiraijaz · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:16 am Post subject: Privet (Life in St. Petersburg)

Hi

I am looking forward to come to St. Petersburg with in the next 2 months as a student. I wanted to get some information about Russia.

I am not fimiliar with Russian language. However, I have started learning it and have to have a Russian environment in order to get fluency in spoken russian.

I want to know about the student life there. Besides that, I want to keep myself busy in some kind of job there so, is it possible that I could find any job there which doesn't involve much Russian language. I have heard taxi drivers earn good money there.

I have tried hard to get hold of native people there but nothing worked out. I was wondering if anyone could help me out and tell me about the student life and survival there.

Thanks

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

A job that doesn't involve speaking Russian? I don't think you'll find that in Russia. Is there a job in Pakistan that doesn't involve knowing English, Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto... ?
Or maybe find a Paki restaurant where you can wash plates.
Obviously you need to know Russian to be a taxi driver in Russia... and you also need to know the city well, GPS doesn't do everything.

IREN · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

yasiraijaz

Hi, where you will study?

DenSpb · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

Forget about taxi driver work in Petersburg. First you must know Russan. Second there are a thousands of different transport companies so сompetition is terrible. Anyway you as a foreigner need special permition to work (for any work) in Russia. Certainly mans from former USSR works illigel, but at least they speak Russian & can speak with militia. And didn't forget about crisis. So i think mission imposible, at least before you study Russian. Ask in Pakistan consulate in Petersburg, may be they need some staff.

russiantutor · Just Starting Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 7 Location: USA

Saint Petersburg is my native city. I am sure you will enjoy your stay there. Based on what you described, it will be extremely difficult for you to find a job in Saint Petersburg. You absolutely need to know Russian. Do you know English well? Perhaps you can tutor students and help them with English. Many students in Russia are learning English. If you get intermediate to advanced students, you don't need to know Russian.