The pecularities of internship in Volgodonsk, Russia.

I f you are quite convinced that Russia is a homogeneous, or even Slavic country, you'd better forget about it.   In fact it is a patchwork of distinct federal republics and regions. Republic Kalmykia is not an exception.  As centuries passed, Russia was expanding its territory, including more and more and nations into its compilation. Three hours drive from Volgodonsk lies a republic, whose majority population is formed by Kalmyks - descendants of Mongols, which have settled by the Caspian Sea. During Stalin period they were suspected of collaboration with the Nazis and it took only a single day to banish the whole population in cattle cars to Siberia , where they spent 13 years in exile. After Stalin's death they were allowed to return, however, they found their home steppe already inhabited by Russians and Ukrainians. The villages and towns were given back their original names which had been taken away from them during the exodus, therefore "Stepnoy*" has beco...

Before the start of my internship I sent my CV to my future employeer with description of my qualities. I added a presentation video demonstrating my language skills. The CV was probably left unnoticed and the video most likely too. About a month ago before my departure I had contacted  the owner of the language school where I was supposed to work  via AIESEC.  The conversation was conducted in English and in the first place it concerned arranging the necessary formalities to secure a smooth and timely arrival. However, one of the first things inquired about was whether I had any experience with teaching in a language school. I answered 'yes' and  added further information about the number of years worked  and thought to myself -  I did mention all the required information in my CV. At some point she asked whether I, by a chance, spoke 'a bit of Russian'. Again I answered affirmatively and  at the same I regretted all the time spent updating my...

Two-room flat is the most common flat in Russia. There is usually no living room and the entire interaction takes places in the kitchen. I was awarded the same flat type, which was also equipped with several local housing improvements. The first thing you'll need to cope with is the front door. Along with the other keys from the flat you probably got one big enough to open the gates of Kremlin . You put it into the lock, but it won't turn around - it's upside down. You pull it out and start over, but the key gets stuck in the middle of the process and won't go any further. You make several logical attempts to open the door, you shake the door handle, but with no result. Therefore you decide to ring your neighbour's doorbell; an older woman in a bathrobe opens the door and doesn't follow what you say to her at all. Eventually she comes to the door and unlocks it on the first fry. The trick is simple: as you turn the key around, you need to lean against the d...

At the end of the year 2017 I felt that I'm quite fed up with life in well-run and comfortable European Union, thus I have arranged an internship in Russian Springfield - a town built around a nuclear power plant called Volgodonsk. Volgodonsk in summer. The image I am not destined to see. On 10 January, having flown through the air corridor Bratislava - Moscow - Rostov, I made it to the agreed rendezvous point, where I was picked up by the head of the local branch of AIESEC organisation. For the purpose of the upcoming football championship, the city has built a new airport located quite farther from the city centre than the old one - the drive takes about 45 minutes. In order to kill some time I was telling stories about my previous stay in Russia. I said that in my opinion the biggest difference between Russia and the EU is that here no one gives a damn about the common citizen (like you or me). I demonstrate the experience by this particular case: I was in St.Peter...