learn_russian | Jun. 2nd, 2004

Hey everyone!
I am not sure this is the right community to ask this in, but what the heck I'll give it a shot. Anyways, my name is Polina, I'm 17 and I am a high school student. I am also what my grand old russian teacher has categorized as "heritage learner" : basically, I was born in Ukraine (although at the time it was still Russia blah blah blah) and I only speak Russian.I moved to America when I was three and never really learned how to read Russian until I was in 9th grade. So I don't have an accent in English, but people say I have an accent in Russian, and I guess I speak baby Russian, you know the slang sort of stuff.

So anyways, there was this statewide olympadia thing and (long story short) I won a trip to Russia! woohoo. But here's the catch: I am going to Vladmir, which is part of those small cities in the "golden ring" and I'm staying with a family for 3 weeks, as well as going to something called the Cora Institute.

I'm kind of nervous about the whole thing for a lot of reasons. I'll be going back to Russia for the first time, and I'll be staying with a Russian family...dnuh dnuh dnuh. I was wondering if any of you here could answer some questions, because I feel bad asking my Russian teacher this.Please be truthful.

1) Is Vladmir a hick town? Now I don't mean to offend anyone, I know Vladmir is one of the oldest cities in Russia, and its got some amazing history... but just how big is this place?

2) Are Russian teenagers that much different from American ones?
I know that the Russian kids I ment in general are usually a bit more mature in terms of partying then American ones. Their clothes seem to be different too... What do Russian kids wear? What should I bring and what should I leave behind?

3)Do Russians still think that all Americans are rich and piggish? I'm scared of arriving, and realizing that the family thinks I am this really well off person. I mean, I am a Middle Class American ... but I don't think of myself as "Rich".

4) What should I watch out for?
My mom told me this story about how a gypsy in St. Petersburg once hyptonized her friend, and almost robbed her blind in the street. But then again, Russian mothers are like the ultimate Bards of cautionary tales, so I am not sure if Russian is really as scary as my mother is making it out to be.

5)How's the food there, and what should I bring for my own sanity?
I basically live on Russian food at home, but some of it I just can't stand. (Blech -pickled herring) Anything American I might miss once I am there?

Alright, sorry about the long post. Thanks in advance for anyone who has the patience answer my ramblings.