Moving to Russia

After a year or so of planning, I'll be moving to Russia in one month for a six-month teaching contract. I have spent countless hours doing internet research on the school I will be working for, Russian culture and etiquette, customs, and things to expect while living in Russia. I'm sure that once I get there, I will learn a lot, but I'm still rather anxious about becoming an English teacher in Russia.

I have visited Russia twice, but have never spent more than two weeks outside of the country. I've never lived abroad, so this will be a true learning experience for me. Here is information on what I must expect when I move to Russia:

• Visiting Russia and living in Russia are two totally different things.
• Visiting Russia for two weeks during the winter, and surviving a winter that lasts for several months are also two totally different things.
• I can expect difficulties in things like utilities: hot water is shut off for a few days sometimes, and electricity can also go down without notice.
• The postal service in Russia is not something that should be relied upon.
• I'm going to need to learn the Russian language very quickly.

As I mentioned, moving to Russia took a lot of planning. Some of the steps I have not completed yet. But here are the steps it took to get a job in Russia:

• I visited Russia twice and found that I loved the country and wanted to move there.
• I took a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) course and received a teaching certificate.
• I got good grades in the course, and perfected my resume and cover letter.
• I sent out my resume and cover letter to a dozen language schools in Russia.
• I received two job offers (after extensive interviews) and accepted one.
• I received a Letter of Invitation to apply for a visa, am preparing to get a work visa, then plane tickets, then make the big move.

Russia is the most beautiful country I have ever visited. The people there are extraordinarily friendly. They go out of their way to help tourists. They love Americans. They have not forgotten the Cold War and they love that their former enemies come to visit them, learn about Russian culture and build cross cultural bridges.

The Russian food is also incredible, which, in my opinion, is as good a reason as any to move to a foreign country.

In the next several weeks, I will wrap up things here in the U.S. and make that plane trip to Eastern Europe. During my teaching contract, I'll continue to write about my experiences in Russia, my experiences as a teacher, and will hopefully make a difference in other people's lives in addition to my own. I never dreamed in a million years I would move to Russia, but now, the date is fast approaching and I find myself overwhelmed with all kinds of emotions: fear, joy, anxiety, euphoria. I can't wait to report back and revisit this hub after I've lived in Russia for a few months and have more of an idea of what Russian life is like.