Early Frustrations

Well Everyone, today is my fifth day in St. Petersburg, and honestly...it feels like I've been here for weeks. Yesterday I took the metro by myself (an interesting experience, trust me) and met the group at Kazansky Sobor (Cathedral) on Nevsky Prospect, the largest street in the city. I was able to navigate to the meeting place and only had to ask for directions once. Luckily, I understood the answer! I was meeting the group for a scavenger hunt around the city. I had heard that Russia is a very strange place but only now do I truly believe that statement to be true. During our first five minutes into the race around town, we were distraced by a Michael Jackson tribute dance mob...meaning a group of people dancing to "Billie Jean" dressed like Michael Jackson. Just strange. Next, we nervously walked around the city trying to find random objects like a 1 kopec coin, which is very rare, a business card from a Russian, a bottle of kbac (very disgusting black bread beer), while taking pictures of random historical signs and buildings. The most terrifying experience of the day was going in a gypsy cab, a random driver who can pick you up without being a registered cab driver. The five people in our group crammed into a very small car and only drove down the street. While this doesn't sound too bad, the driver would not let us out of the car until we paid him more money. Of course, none of us understood what he was saying because only 1 person has had more than one year of Russian. In my case, I've had none (I will elaborate later). Being in a cab and not being able to get out is the worst thing ever. 500 rubles ($15) later, the man finally let us out of the cab! I have never been happier to get out of a car!
To explain the title of this post, I have found some things in this city to be extremely frustrating. First, very few people speak English. This is difficult for someone who doesn't speak much Russian, i.e. ME! I am able to understand more and more each day but communicating is very hard. My host sister speaks English but she is rarely around the house and she certainly isn't with me at school. The administative director of CIEE, Irina Borisnova, does not speak any English and tells us very important instructions in Russian only when 15% or so of the students do not speak or understand Russian at all. Also, I bought a USB internet modem and since I cannot understand the directions, I can't get it to work! You don't know how lucky you are to have free and available internet in the States! So, right now, the language is the hardest and most frustrating thing about being here (Not surprising). I knew it would be difficult but when my program director refuses to speak English, learning and understanding has to come even faster. I hope that it will be easier as the weeks pass.
I am enjoying the strange aspects of the city and I am certainly enjoying my host family. I will talk about them in my next post.
Until later,
HD

ps. I will also post about classes once the routine kicks in :)

Welcome!!!

Hey Everyone!
First of all, WELCOME TO RUSSIA!!! The past few days have been extremely busy! I have never flown overseas by myself but it wasn't as bad as I expected. When I arrived in Germany, I was comforted to hear English coming from a group of students sitting around my gate...these were all CIEE students! (Meaning they were just like me!) We introduced ourselves and were able to meet with our full group together. We were then taken to a hotel and were put in rooms of 2 people. I was asleep immediately after I arrived!
The next day was a day of orientation. We were able to learn more about what to expect in our homestays and of the cultural differences between Russians and Americans, just as a beginning orientation. I quickly bonded with many of the American students and surprisingly, there are many other students from Michigan. After a few hours of orientation, we were able to leave the hotel and explore Moskovsky Prospect, one of the main streets of the city. There was a monument across from our hotel symbolizing the 900 days when German forces surrounded the city during World War II. The people of St. Petersburg were in absolute starvation during these 900 days (from 1941 to 1944) while men of all ages were sent to the front lines (the "Blockade" could be a possible thesis topic for me!) The blockade ended just before the end of the war and is forever remembered in the city.
Everyone waited in anticipation for Friday: the day we were to meet our homestay families! We had filled out a survey in the States of our preferences but did not know anything about our families prior to our arrival. My name was called and I read the names of my family members: Elena Ivanovna, her husband, and her two daughters who were students. This was wonderful news! Students in St. Petersburg usually speak English and for me, this is probably the best news...since I don't speak Russian. When I arrived at my home, only one daughter was present AND SHE SPEAKS FLUENT ENGLISH! I do not remember her name however. I have my own room and unlike many others, I have my own bathroom! My host mother is just adorable and very posh. She has been incredibly helpful but only speaks a few words in English. I will learn quickly hopefully.

Today we did a tour of the city. My host mother showed me how to go on the metro and said that tomorrow "You go alone." When I reached our group meeting point, we were able to see most of the highlights of the city including where we will be studying, known as Smolny. I feel very comfortable getting to Smolny and will be acquainted with the city in no time. The city is just as beautiful as everyone says! I will post pictures when my computer isn't dying...

I hope all is well in the States. More experiences will come soon!! :)

Love. HD

And the Countdown Begins...

Hey Everyone!
Welcome to my St. Petersburg, Russia study abroad blog! I must preface this blog by saying that I am not a writer nor have I ever really kept a travel journal. This blog is simply a way to keep all of you updated on my experiences and thoughts while I am in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg for the next 4 months.
So...here I am, 7 days away from 'blast-off.' I can't really describe how I'm feeling right now because it's almost too surreal. If you do not know already, I have wanted to go to Russia since (roughly) my sophomore year of high school when I discovered my fascination for Russian history. People usually ask "Why Russia?" and to tell you the truth, I can't really answer that question. Russia has witnessed a Monarchy, Socialism, Communism, and now a "Democracy," unlike any other country in the world. Pick up a book on the Romanovs (or even Stalin) and I promise, you will not be disappointed. I was lucky enough to find a study abroad program in St. Petersburg that is geared towards the history geeks like me who do not necessarily speak Russian. Just Perfect!
Although I have wanted to go to Russia for many years now, I'm still absolutely terrified. True, I have traveled before but never completely by myself and certainly not for such an extended period of time. I have never before experienced fear and excitement simultaneously and believe me, it's a very strange feeling. I'm sure that my nerves will calm down once I'm in St. Petersburg. Or atleast I hope so.

Enjoy reading my blog...and we will see you in December!

ps. Feel free to comment or contact me via facebook or email (had10@albion.edu)! :) :)