| Author |
Message |
Yule
Just Starting
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:58 pm Post subject: Questions about Russia |
 |
|
Hello,
I am a 25 year old girl from Ireland. I am thinking of going to St Petersburg or Moscow next year to enroll in a language school for about a month or two. I really want to experience the culture of Russia as well as becoming efficient in the language.
However, I have some questions.
I was wondering is it safe for a girl to travel alone to St Petersburg/Moscow? Is it safe to stay in an apartment alone at night?
What are the Russian attitudes towards Irish? Do they hate them or what?
Also, I was thinking of maybe doing volunteer work, I don't know yet. The school will place you in either a hospital, sports school, Summer camp, children's home etc.
If I do volunteer work, would I be treated fairly because I am foriegner? I have heard instances where people go to other countries to volunteer and they were treated very badly by the people there.
Also, what exactly is a sports school?
Sorry for the stupid questions, I hope I didn't offend anyone, but I am just wondering
Thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
cyndy22
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 1076
Location: massachusetts
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Don't be so afraid. Your school should be able to advise you of apt. or dormitory. Russians do not hate Irish people, where did you get that idea? Go with an open mind and heart and you will have a great experience. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yule
Just Starting
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for your reply. You are right, if I go with a postitive mind, I am sure to have a good experience.
I am sure Russians don't hate Irish people, but I just wanted to make sure hehehe  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Camrade
VIP
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 516
Location: Санкт-Петербург
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
2Yule
As a russian I can say:
| Quote: | What are the Russian attitudes towards Irish? Do they hate them or what?
|
I know that Irish invented Giness so they are quite good guys 
and there's no bad superstitions about them, so don't worry
| Quote: | If I do volunteer work, would I be treated fairly because I am foriegner? I have heard instances where people go to other countries to volunteer and they were treated very badly by the people there.
Also, what exactly is a sports school?
|
Depends on people...someone treat badly either russians, or foreigners  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Eryk
Frequent Guest
Joined: 04 Feb 2005
Posts: 42
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: Questions about Russia |
|
|
>>I was wondering is it safe for a girl to travel alone to St >>Petersburg/Moscow? Is it safe to stay in an apartment alone at night?
It is as safe (or unsafe, depending on your point of view) as staying in Berlin, Paris or Madrid. A lot depends upon how fluent your Russian is. (Note I am thinking of 'overall' safety including matters like being able to read the instructions for a gas stove etc.)
>>What are the Russian attitudes towards Irish? Do they hate them or >>what?
Most people will just classify you as 'British' and they may well use the word 'English' interchangeably with 'British' so don't be offended. The only grouping in the Brtish Isles commonly understood to be different are the Scots and that is basically down to the fact that Russians find kilts eccentric.
>>If I do volunteer work, would I be treated fairly because I am >>foriegner?
You can't generalise about such things. As with any country, most people are great and a minority are jerks. Statistically speaking you shouldn't have any problems but equally, you'll doubtless find some horror stories on the Internet somewhere.
Eryk |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Camrade
VIP
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 516
Location: Санкт-Петербург
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
2Yule
about safety: you should follow general rules - try to avoid some places of the city and it's outskirts in the night... and also you should be able to read cyrillic alphabet, and everything will be okay |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wwwadim
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 15 Apr 2005
Posts: 145
Location: Moscow Region, M-7 Highway, Noginsk
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 1:02 am Post subject: Re: Questions about Russia |
|
|
Yule
Try to find in Moscow the Irish Club. I heard, that such exists. I think, they can help to accustom a little to you in unfamiliar city.
Firstly in Moscow it is very difficult to be alone in streets of city as there are not enough signboards in streets, personal in shops does not speak in English, English is known by people in a few places.
But people in city very friendly. Do not pay attention that all of them gloomy and they do not smile, actually they good all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yule
Just Starting
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for your replies.
I did not know there was an Irish club over there, I must look it up!
Before I go to Moscow, I will try and learn as much Russian as possible in order to get my way around. But I will be in a school over there, a language school, so maybe they will help me to find my way around.
Thanks again for your replies, Its made me feel a little better about going |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lord-Adrian
Frequent Guest
Joined: 07 Jul 2005
Posts: 55
Location: Russia, Orel
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Visit my forum.
The forum has section Questions about Russia
www.forum.englishhome.ru |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
renwan
Talk Show Host
Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 204
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Cheers,
Irish are welcome here, don't forget who was one of the biggest allies of the Óglaigh na hÉireann and Án poblacht na hÉireann |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
