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Russia


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Country Overview
American media tends to focus on the problems Russia has experienced over the last few years. Although the corruption, poverty, crime, and food shortages are certainly a reality, this media coverage ignores all that Russia has to offer. Russia's future, as represented by your exchange student, is optimistic.

Russia is a huge country covering a geographically and culturally diverse area. The population of 150 million is 80% Russian and 4 Tatar%. The remainder is made up of a variety of ethnic groups. The capital, Moscow, has a large population of 10 million, which helps to explain why it has suffered from so many economic and urban problems.

The official language is Russian, but regional dialects are also spoken.

The Russian government is a federation headed by a president. There are several political parties.

The voting age is 18 years old.

Russia encompasses a range of geographic areas. It is predominantly flat with only the Ural Mountains and ranges in the east adding height. The northern forests of pine and spruce are home to wolves, brown bears, and reindeer. The black earth steppe is known as the 'grain basket' of Central Asia. These steppes turn into desert. There are over 140 nature reserves.

The temperature varies by region, but winters are cold all around. Spring brings the thaw and great joy. July and August are the warmest and wettest months.

When Russians shop, they pay with Russian Roubles, which are often revalued. Their major industries are coal, iron ore, timber, and oil.

Russia has a rich cultural legacy. Its ballet companies are world-renowned. Composers like Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, and Stravinsky are household names. Literature (Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Solzhenitsyn and Chekhov), film, and architecture continue to earn acclaim.

Russian food has been regarded with less admiration, although much of the criticism is not deserved. A typical Russian diet includes bread, soup, potatoes, vegetables, and meat. It can be difficult to obtain specialty items.

Russian bread is more flavorful and hearty than most American bread. Fresh fruits and vegetables may be rare and very expensive, making them a luxury. Tea and coffee are also stronger and sweeter. There are far fewer soft drinks, microwaveable foods, and fast foods.

Your student may be accustomed to eating more than three meals a day. This will depend on the region he or she is from. Additional meals are not full meals; they may be snacks or light meals. The main meal is generally served around lunchtime.

Dinners begin relatively early, around 6 p.m. The main course is preceded by a large array of appetizers, including the famous Borscht, a beet and cabbage soup, and followed by meat in a rich sauce with a side of vegetables.

Everyone knows that Russia is the home of vodka but have you heard of kvas, fermented rye-bread water that is mildly alcoholic? It is said to be quite refreshing in warm weather.

School
Education was very important in the USSR and it continues to be in Russia. Every child attends pre- school and then primary school until he or she is seven. School is compulsory from age 7 to 18. After age 18, students may go on to university, vocational training, or jobs.

Russian schools are more formal than American schools. It is very important to treat teachers with respect. Rather than greeting their teachers with a casual 'Hi,' Russian students say, 'Good morning' or 'Good afternoon.' They use the formal pronouns and methods of address.

The average class size is thirty students and students remain with the same classmates throughout the day.

Electives will be a new treat for your student. Russian students must take mandatory courses. The week is divided up between a variety of subjects so students do not study the same subjects each day.

Classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. They have less time for extra-curricular activities.

Students generally take their schoolwork very seriously and spend 3-4 hours studying per night.

Most students go on to university.

Teenagers
Most teenagers participate in some sport or musical activity. The most popular sports are soccer, volleyball, and soccer. Other popular activities include chess, badminton, boxing, table tennis, and karate.

Russian teenagers dress much like American teenagers. They wear sweatshirts, jeans, and T-shirts. Dress is slightly more formal, however, and girls often wear blouses and boys wear dress pants. American teens' baggy clothes may be quite a change.

Dating begins around age 17.

Russian teenagers are generally more independent than American teenagers. Most do not have curfews, but instead call if they are going to be late. Some families will have curfews; it depends on the situation.

The legal drinking age is 18, but most teens start to drink a bit when they are younger. Families often have wine with dinner and young people may be given a glass on special occasions.

Teenagers can get their driver's licenses when they turn 18. Many then driver the family car. It is extremely rare for a teenager to have his or her own car.

Community
There are at least seven television stations in Russia. English-language stations like CNN and the English BBC are shown. Most people with televisions have cable. Then they receive European MTV and American programs and movies.

Teenagers watch 2-3 hours of television per day, on average.
Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Most people use public transportation to get around because cars are so expensive.

Family
In most Russian families both parents work. Families are small. The average used to be two children per family, but now the tendency is towards having one child.

Pets are popular so if you have a dog, cat, or bird around, your student should be quite pleased.

Most young people continue to live at home after graduating from high school, unless he or she goes away to university or gets a job in another city.

Grandparents are often involved in raising the children. They are often the babysitters while parents are working and their advice is respected.

It is rare to have a maid in Russia.

Customs
Because of Russia's size, it enjoys a wide variety of cultures. Each province has its own language, religion, dress, and customs.

The main religion is Russian Orthodox. This religion grew out of an Eastern Christian tradition. Church attendance is low with only about 20% of Russians attending weekly. Most people attend on special holidays, like Christmas and Easter.

When strangers meet, they usually shake hands and say, 'Hello. How are you doing?' Very close friends or friends who haven't seen each other for awhile may hug or give kisses on the cheek. Only during greetings do Russians display affection in public.

Many common hand gestures popularly used in the West, such as the "O.K." sign or shaking the fist, are considered very rude.

It is considered rude to greet adults with just 'Hello.' Youth should add 'How do you do?'

Prayer before meals is not common. Saying 'thank you' to the cook afterwards, however, is important.

Hygiene is important in Russia. Plumbing problems and the cost of hot water make showering every day difficult and, for some, an impossible luxury.

Women tend to use perfume rather than deodorant and, unlike in the United States, it is not unusual for women not to shave their legs.

Major holidays in Russia include New Year's Eve, Victory Day (8 May), and Easter. Christmas is celebrated in a different way than in the United States. We hope that you will encourage your student to share his or her holiday traditions with you; some of them may make wonderful additions to your celebrations.

Understanding
Russians are very proud of their rich culture. Knowledge of their great writers, musicians, artists, and philosophers is extremely important.

They are also proud of their diversity. Your student will be glad to share with you the distinctive characteristics of his or her home region. Americans tend to have a poor understanding of world affairs and geography so warn your student that he or she may be asked some ignorant questions. Remind him or her that these questions are simply an opportunity for educating the questioner and that the ignorance is not a sign of lack of respect for Russia and its people.

The food, values, and way of life are very different in the United States. Many Russian exchange students comment on the hectic pace of American life and American materialism and wastefulness. Students are also struck by the large size of everything and the overabundance and variety of food and goods.

Americans are considered less responsive to 'hints' than Russians are. In America, subtlety is far less effective than asking directly for what is needed. Try to be aware of what your student may want to ask but may be too hesitant or too afraid of seeming demanding to ask.

Russian students generally come to the U.S. thinking Americans have a poor family life since this is what they see on television and in the movies. Family is very important in Russia. Affection is rarely expressed aloud, however; your student may have rarely heard his or her parents say, 'I love you.'

Misunderstandings occur easily. Try to cultivate an openness that will allow everyone to ask questions. If you do not understand a habit of your student, ask about it and encourage your student to do the same.

Remember that trying to work out how another household functions is quite difficult. Identify the 'unwritten' rules of the house, such as what chores you would like the student to do, when laundry is done (and how the machine works), favorite television programs, etc.

Your student will be very grateful to you and your family for your generosity. With patience and understanding your student will become a true part of the family and wonderful memories will be created.

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