BKC-IH?

[steppinrazor.livejournal.com]

This is slighty unrelated to actually learning Russian...

I'm looking into spending some time in Moscow, and so far I've spent a lot of time reading about BKC-IH's teaching program and CELTA course.

Have any of you heard of this school? Does anyone have input about it, such as the living accomodations and atmosphere, the Russian course and whatnot?

Also, how hard do you think it would be to find a decent flat for the $300 a month stipend they offer? It seems, from what I've seen from friends and my own internet browsing, foreignors are expected to pay a LOT for housing, whereas native Moscuvites can get a flat for a pretty reasonable price.

Thanks for your help!

Comments

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

Even for a native Muscovite, these days $300 mean a room in a "communal" apartment (with one, two or more neighbors who share the same kitchen, bathroom etc.) in downtown, or a tiny filthy "studio" (actually, one room and a kitchen) within a 90+minutes ride (combined subway+bus) from downtown.

[belacane.livejournal.com]

a room in a "communal" apartment (with one, two or more neighbors who share the same kitchen, bathroom etc.)a

This is definitely not uncommon in the United States either. (The OP seems to be from Ohio)... Although the standards are probably different.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

I know what a shared apartment is :) You are right, the standards differ dramatically. Plus, if a room in a "communal" apartment in Moscow is for rent, this means (vith very high probability) that the neighbors are unbearable. A family of my friends just left a $300 room in a nice old building next to Tretyakovskaya Gallery (right downtown,) for a $900 two-room apartment in a dull concrete project in Maryina Roshcha (a 40-minutes ride from downtown,) because one of their two neighbors in the "communal" apartment suddenly returned from the jail :)

[belacane.livejournal.com]

ah the wonders of moscow.... well russia =)

Everyone thinks I'm nuts, but I kinda miss it!

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

Why, I get it :)

I own an otherwise nice two-room, with an exception that the boy downstairs takes French horn lessons and his progress is slow, and his mom is giving vocal lessons to kids, up to three students a day :)

[goti.livejournal.com]

about flats:
yeah, foreignors are expected to pay more (especially if you want to rent a flat legally, i mean via agency)
but a can't say it's almost impossible to find a flat for a reasonable price. My friend's brother's managed...
you can get a flat in Moscow region, for example. Rates there aren't so high
or you can rent only a room in a flat (as many students)...

[paparazzzzi.livejournal.com]

Yes, I studied English at this school last year. I like it!
Next week I'll resume English classes with teacher form this school (Eugene Gorenko) - as private lessons.
As I know they pay for apartment for them foreign teachers, don't they?
I'm not sure about them Russian teacher, but I know she graduated from a special Russian As Foreigh Language Course at Moscow State University (MSU) that I'm doing at this time. I think you know MSU is the best high school in Russia.

[paparazzzzi.livejournal.com]

Err... Sorry, I don't know why I say about apartment for TEACHER... :-) A little crazy answer :-)))

Do you know this site?
http://www.bkcih-moscow.com/

[steppinrazor.livejournal.com]

Yup, that's the site I've been looking at :) I might just take one of their apartments if I can't find a place myself, but I don't know what their flats are like.

Thanks for the advice! I'm glad you like the school :D

[shariperkins.livejournal.com]

Try asking and looking around for info on these sites:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/
(Russia forum)

http://www.expats.ru (Lessons/Teachers Forums)

http://www.moscowteachers.com

They have information about the various language schools. Try the search functions. Generally, concensus about the big three language schools tends to be, depends on which branch(es) you work on, they really work you very hard (split shifts, often, with early morning and late night classes), apartments provided are variable, but usually shared and far away.

I am currently paying $200 per month for a very good quality DORM ROOM in Central Moscow. I only got it because I knew someone. I expect it would be difficult to find anything decent for $300 per month unless you know someone (Russian?) who has made a lucky find.

The final conclusion I've read about the big three schools is that if you are a new teacher, no experience, no certificate, and need visa and housing support, they are probably the best option for getting to Russia. But perhaps you won't want to stay for more than a year!

I should stress that I have no experience with these schools. I'd even consider working for them. And that's why I've done a lot of reading of others experiences.

[steppinrazor.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links. I think I've been to a couple of those a while back, but it seems BKC is a bit under the radar. Their site is pretty well implemented, which gives me hope, but I'm just hesitant to hop in without knowing anything about them.

Hopefully my friend can give me a hand out there.