Stories About My Life in Russia

I want to pee in Russian

2007-05-24T03:52:00.000-07:00

I cannot pee! I am here to learn how to pee correctly…" I said. "Write!" She interrupted me. "Ha? ... Yes, I want to learn how to write not to cheat …" I said that in administration office of my school. I was complaining about the physics exams and the cheating. You wonder why I was complaining about peeing. The funny thing that the word "pee" and "write" is the same word in Russian but the stress on the words is different. That explains why I got all the attention in the office listening to me with smile on their faces.

Nurse! Don't hurt me again, please?

2007-05-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

The worst experience I had in Russia was at the state hospital. The first week of my arrival I had to go through full medical test for school admission from analysis "liquid and solid wastes", eyesight, chest's x-rays, strip you down to check for skin disease, HIV test, and suck blood from you for other check up.

Nurses are not gentle as they supposed to be. The nurse sticks a needle in my arm without any mercy. "Ouch!" I said it quietly to myself and was shocked by her roughness. The nurse started reading my documents and was surprised that I was from Kuwait. She smiled and said that I was the only person from Kuwait ever came to this hospital.

There was this large fat woman who was screaming for people to get inside the x-ray room, she doesn't care who was first. She will just grab people from their arms and push them inside the room. There is no time to ask her or discuss anything with her. In the x-ray room there is absolutely no privacy. A group of three topless people of the same sex waiting for their turn in a small space.

Uh! It was awful and uncomfortable experience. There are more medical tests I have to do but I run away and I don't want to experience anymore of that. I wonder if cosmonauts have to go through similar medical test that I had been through.

Always keep away from them

2007-05-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

There are many kinds of people you have to keep away from in Russia to be safe such as robbers, hooligans, gypsies, and skin heads. Some will pickpocket, others will beat you up to steal and others will beat you up until you die like skin heads. Until now I have seen only one skin head dressed all in black and shaved head in the metro. They are usually teenagers hang out in big groups drinking beer outside metro exits.

Avoid people who ask you for the time, for a cigarette, or to make an urgent phone call from your mobile. Also avoid police! Police always hunt for foreigners and ask them to show their documents. They try to make troubles and wait for you to bribe them with 1000 Rubles (10 Kuwait Dinars= 30 US Dollars) to let you go. If you don't, then you will end locked up in a cell. I usually carry less than 1000 Rubles and never carry my credit card. Yeah, I know I am putting myself in trouble already. Anyhow policemen have very good trained eyes because they can distinguish white foreigners from Russians. Absolutely there is no way I could look Russian so I follow my own tips to stay away from the police:

1. Avoid eye contact with policemen.
Put yourself in their shoes and try to know what they think. Imagine yourself standing and bored in the metro station, there are hundreds of people coming through. Then the policeman spots a foreigner who is making eye contact with him which makes it so easy for the policeman to pull him out of the crowd.
2. If the policeman calls you, ignore him and walk away like you never noticed. You will not get in serious trouble because you ignored the policeman. Hey, it's all right because you don't speak Russian.
3. Don't look around like you never been in this place before. You will look new which makes it appealing for the policeman to stop you.
4. Lastly walk away quickly when you spot them.

Teacher is here, let's cheat!

2007-05-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

Cheating during exams is a normal habit among students in Russia. Teachers don't take serious actions against it instead they will leave the class to give the students time and freedom of cheating. Teachers pretend that they don't see you cheating. The only exam that I barely pass is physics' exam and most of the time I have to retake it. I hate it so much because the exam is not compatible with my current level in Russian language. I explained that to the teacher that he should give us simpler exam because the current exam is not well matched with our language skills. He told me everybody is passing and none has complained except me. "That's because everybody cheats!" I replied. He said if someone gets caught cheating, he will just give him/her one grade less. I replied that next time I should cheat directly from the book, and get one grade less. He didn't like my answer and unexpectedly he didn't disagree.

Since everybody cheats during exams, teachers don't really care to teach the materials in professional way. I always get annoyed whenever I take any exam because of "cheating phenomena" and uncaring behavior by the teachers. My Russian roommate told me "Maryam, cheat! It's normal that everybody cheats both foreign and Russian students". I was very frustrated. I tried to accept the fact and calm myself down that I have to cheat in physic's exams since there is nothing I can do and the teacher ignored my complains. However I couldn't do it because it's not me. I am here to learn a language, not to fool myself. What's the point of cheating? Unfortunately, this problem makes me consider my decision of whether I should continue my higher studies in Russian or not. What I want is real learning experience not cheating.

Why did I come to Russia in first place?

2007-02-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

I heard lots of stories of skin heads and their deadly attacks on foreign students in St. Petersburg. Therefore I decided in first few months to stay home and not go out much until I get used to the area and know where and where not to go. I found this inactive organization called "International Students Association" located in St. Petersburg. Their news and messages on the website make me regret why I came to Russia in first place. It didn't seem to be a safe place at all. Then I decided to sent email to the group and ask for tips how to stay safe in Russia!

Here are some replies I received from members:

"Hi maryam!

How are you?? I was shocked to see a girl from Kuwait to study in Russia for a start. Why did you choose this bloody space to study??? I think we have got lot more better places on this earth... Well God save you in Russia

Take care"

"For skin-heads... first of all I would recommend to NEVER go out to discos or pubs without having a couple of Russian guys with you. This might help." --- a tip by a Russian.

"It's a pity that no one can actually pick point and tell how these people look like except that they normally wear black and boots and have skin head and where they hand out .They actually come in different forms and shape to suit. Sometimes it is just bitter people who think that there poverty /uncertainty in life is due to foreign students living in the country and they are of course easier targets. My main advice would be if you can afford to study elsewhere, in any other European country ( EU) you should start to consider that .If not you just have to always be with a group of at least 6, and never work on your own"

"I study here already 5 years. I've never bitted by skinheads in streets, perhaps because that: I never go out alone at night. I usually go with my friends. We don't use metro at night. When I have to go somewhere, I use all of my sense system, look around me to find out skinheads and avoid them. Don't talk loudly when you walk. Wear clothes as Russian (it's very useful)"

"Live is quite boring if we still fear those skinheads. Make friend with Russians. They'll help you feel more safety, and the life is more meaningful than all the time in room. So take care! Forget about skinheads. Live is so long, enjoy it!"

"They're young people. Skinhead doesn't mean that they don't have any hair. They may be look like a normal people. They often attack in group, often stand, drink beer in front of metropolitan stations. They often wear black-skin jacket, shoes. Their face, eyes are malicious. It's easy to notice that."

"Contact your Embassy/Consulate NOW! "

" Don't limit yourself to the dorms but for the vital shopping/classes. Go out, enjoy but only during daylight hours and preferable with company. Best way is to make some native friends; you'll be safer amongst them. About going out after sunset; never go out clubbing/partying late, unless you are with a big group, have safe transport available etc. Try to avoid late night outings in any case. "

"we HAVE to be careful"

"Regarding the nature of their attacks. So far all the cases have been totally random and unpredictable. There are some general pointers though. Avoid going out alone/by foot after dark. When you absolutely have to, try to cover your face, hands and walk briskly etc. Do not talk on the phone when out on the streets, better yet, keep your phone in silent mode; no point in attracting attention. If you spot a group of people who look suspicious, its best you keep your gaze down, keep walking and try to find the closest habitat you can (shops, malls, crowds etc.) where you can take cover just in case someone tries to follow you. If you're carrying cash on you, keep it well guarded but don't forget to keep some small denominations in easy access areas (jacket pockets etc.) so that you can hand it out if someone comes to loot you. Always keep this phone no. stored in your cell phone/diary: 3401020. This is the direct 24/7 line to the emergency dispatch service."

"About them attacking solo or in groups. That varies a lot. Most of the assailants are hooligans on coke and booze. He/they'll attack anyone out alone on the streets late (be it locals/foreigners) looking for money, or just for the heck of beating people up. Some are however, truly neo-Nazis. Their beliefs are very extreme and they seek out dark-skinned/haired individuals out and wreak havoc, never mind your age/gender. (You must've already heard of their atrocities).

The areas they frequent can be any and every region in the city. But the closer a region is to the centre (Nevsky, Petrogradskaya etc.) the relatively "safer" it is. If there's a police station/post near your area, or frequent patrol cars, it's good, but in no way means that you may be free to go out anytime. Places where a lot of cultured and civilized people frequent (theatres, good clubs etc.) are your safest bet, provided you have safe to and fro transport. Still these are in no way cent percent safe.

Last of all, an estimate (by the local authorities) says that an average of 15 people is murdered on the streets of St.Petersburg every month. What does that say about racism? Just that even if racism is an evil we must be very very aware of, there are a lot of other factors (hooligans, thugs) that make the streets unsafe. This is a metropolitan city, and if you don't take proper precautions, you're bound to get attacked, never mind your race."

Arriaval on October 7th, a week before my birthday

2006-12-19T05:55:00.000-08:00

The flight was 3 hours from Germany to Russia. I took a nap during the flight and I was setting on the aisle seat so I didn't see Russia from the window. I was too tired and hectic from running around during the congress. The airplane landed and everybody was getting, I was so excited that I would jump out of the window that how St. Petersburg is like. The first time I got out of the airplane was overwhelming, there was a breeze and a bit cold (around 13 Celsius) that I needed only my sweater. I looked around and I saw all these airplanes with Russian words on them. I was like "Damn I am really in Russia, I made it!"

I had some problems at passport control because I don't have a return ticket but I am a student. However, they let me go because they figured it out that it was acceptable. It wasn't hard to communicate because they spoke some English and I figured out what they needed with few Russian words I learned from my classes back in Kuwait. Then I went to pick up my luggage and I saw my two very heavy suitcases left on the floor and no body was there. I was looking around for a cart because I cannot carry too heavy suitcases each is 20 kilos, besides carrying a backpack of 12 kilos and huge Russian dictionary in my hand. Damn it was very difficult to carry it all alone and drag it through the costumes.

At the costume saw me struggling to drag all this alone decided to let me go and didn’t check my luggage. As soon as I passed the costumes and went out of the exit, I dropped my entire luggage on the floor and my Russian dictionary slide away on the floor. I was looking for a tall Russian guy around 30ths carrying a sign with my name on it. Oh there he is with big letters "MARYAM" it was Sergei. No, he is not the cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev who I adore but he is the one who supposed to pick me up from the airport. It was arranged through the internet. He speaks only Russian and German. It was really funny to communicate with him with my poor Russian. I showed him my school paper and pointing at the map so he understood where to take me. He told me it would take around 40 minutes to get to there. He turned on the radio playing with these nice Old Russian songs. I really like it! He drove me through downtown, passing rivers, and beautiful cathedrals.

Sergei was very nice, he helped me a lot to get a place at dormitory because the security guard wouldn't let me in. He didn't know about any new student arrival. And the problem it's Saturday afternoon so the office is closed. But Sergei helped me a lot. He asked me to sit down and he run around with my papers. Then everything was fine. We got the luggage from his car, took the elevator to 6th floor. In each floor, there is an old lady in charge of each floor. They are called "Babyshka" a Russian word for grandmother. She was speaking loud in Russian. I couldn't figure it out except for the word Keys "Kleyotche". She leaded us to my room. I was shocked. The place is so old and very very dirty. There were 5 Asian girls lives in 2 separate rooms, with one and half bathroom, one kitchen and no living room. And I had to share the room with other two girls. It was messy! My bed was next to a fridge in the room. It didn't like it and it was very uncomfortable.

Sergei had to leave and I gave him 30 Euros for picking me up from the airport. It's a lot cheaper from the school which they asked me to pay 100 Euros (what a rip off!). Anyhow, Sergei seemed he didn't like the place he told me he didn't like it and there was more of what he said but I couldn't understand it all.

I was very disappointed with my room setting there with a Chinese girl who seemed didn't care to say hello to the new coming girl. So I tried to talk to the other girl next room, none of them speak English but Russian. Oh there is this girl from Thailand who spokes very good English. We introduced to each other, having little chat with other girls in the room. She told me I have to wait until Monday to check out with the office, do medical tests, registration, and school paper.

No Culure Shock Yet! Why?

2006-12-19T05:43:00.000-08:00

I don't know when I travel to new countries, I just don't experience a culture shock. Everything is different and interesting but it just doesn't shock me.

Anyway, I am writing this blog because I recently moved to St. Petersburg, Russia two months ago. And I will live here for next few years until I finish my studies in Aerospace Engineering. There is so much to say about the culture, the people, school, the system and everything.