(no subject)

[pooplina.livejournal.com]

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.

Comments

[quem98.livejournal.com]

Oooh! You're going to be studying at KORA! I did the ACTR summer abroad program there!

The teachers there are possibly the sweetest women you'll ever meet! They will schedule a huge amount of silly cultural activities for you... Some of them are really interesting, some not. It's a great little program!

Be prepared to see more monastaries and churches than you've ever wanted to see. They will take you to all of them in the outskirts (Even though the most beautiful ones are right in the city)

If you could tell the teachers there that Samantha says hi, I'll be eternally grateful!

1)Yeah, it's pretty small. There is the one street that has everything there is to see, but for the time you'll be there there won't be a want for things to do. There are little bars and clubs and things. There is also a really great Movie Theater called Kino Max which is very modern, and the movie dubs are perfect. Push comes to shove, Moscow is a short train ride away.

2) Teenagers are the same everywhere.

3) Not really. Just be prepared to discuss politics.

4) Vladimir is pretty safe. Just use basic common sense and street smarts and you'll be fine.

5) I had no issue with the food there. And the restaurants there are pretty decent and very inexpensive for foreigners. Just make sure to tell your host family what you like and don't like when you get there. this will save you a world of trouble. They will be pretty accomodating. Again, they've all hosted us before. Most of them are used to the fact that we have wierd taste in food.

The cafeteria, however, is a little schetchy. The food there is edible but not great. You'll probably see the ACTR summer folk during meals.

If you want to talk more, you can drop me a post on my journal.