I want to go to Russia. Anyone done any travel/work there? (Aus)

[steven_pack]

Hello,

I've always had a bit of a thing for Russia. No idea why, it's just always interested me. I want to get over there and do some travelling in the next few years. I'd like to talk to someone who's done it, whether they're Russians travelling, or overseas people.

Also, I wouldn't mind just having a chat with a Russian to get a feel for what life is like over there. If your interested, let me know.

Cheers

Steve, 19, Sydney Australia.

[vee]

Hi Steven,
We would be happy to help you with any info. We are Aussies too. Let us know what you want to know.

[steven_pack]

Thanks vee (Ness and Bc?).

Geeze, I don't even know what I really want to know.

Where are you living? How are you handling the climate over there.

Are you working in Russia, is it hard to get a job, when you knowledge of Russian extends as far as 'Da'? What's the go with working visas and stuff. I do IT at Uni and part time. I imagine IT would just be taking off over there?

What's the english like? I assume the young people learn it in school?

Is it a good place to travel. I mean, I imagine it's easy to get into Moscow and get around there, but what about the rest of the country? Is it easy to get around? Do you know anyone who's done the Trans-Siberian railway?

What are the people like. I know that's just asking for stereo-types, but as foreigners, have you been well received?

I'm sure I'll come up with other stuff to ask!

Cheers

Steve.

[This message has been edited by steven_pack (edited 04 May 2000).]

[vee]

Hi Steve,
We are in Moscow. We froze when we first got here, it was the middle of winter and we came from Cairns summertime, so a big temperature change.
There are quite a lot of people that speak english (but this is mostly in places where english speaking people would go) eg, restaurants etc. As for how we as foreigners have been received, well people are very impatient with us (language barrier)and this comes across as them being very rude. but we are just used to it now.
As for travelling to other places in Russia, i think you have to have the cities you want to travel to on the invitation for you visa when you get it. and then when you visit these places you must register you visa within 3 days of arrival. you can get some good packages and flights quite cheap from moscow to the rest of europe, but i am not sure about flights etc within russian. i do know that we tried to book a train trip and was told that the dual pricing system still exists and it was very expensive for foreigners.
we have met some really nice people here, but also some horrible people. but this is the case in any big city in the world.
job-wise it would be beneficial for you to know russian. but once you are here it is much easier to get a job within an expat company -speaking only english. im not totally sure but i think that IT is taking off here and have seen lots of jobs for IT people.
anyway if you think of anything else let us know.
ness and bc

[martin]

Hi Steven,
I'm from Bulgaria and i think i may help you .Where do you come form ? When you want to go to Russia ?
And..Have you ever been in Bulgaria ? Do you want to come to Bulgaria first and after that in Russia ?
May be i'll go to Moscow during October,i have a flat there and if you want ...write me : m_etimov@yahoo.com