We have now hit the half-way mark of my semester abroad in Moscow. Saying that feels crazy because in many ways I feel like I just got here (cliche, but the truth). I moved out of the Russian dorm and into to a new babushka’s home two weeks ago, and so I just recently felt … Continue reading We’re Halfway (jaw drops)
The Sun is a Unicorn in Moscow
Here’s a long overdue post, although I have been actively adding some videos to my personal Youtube channel. Here’s my video from my trip to Saint Petersburg trip last weekend. Here’s a video on a group excursion around Moscow. You can find a few other videos about my study abroad experience on my channel, as … Continue reading The Sun is a Unicorn in Moscow
More on Racism in Russia
In my multi-day conversation with my host about gender and race, she told me that she believes racism does not exist in Russia and is only a problem in the U.S. She was rather insistent on this, which shocked me given how she could not understand my reasoning for promoting diversity of political representatives. I … Continue reading More on Racism in Russia
Dealing with Discrimination
This week was rough. I feel like this blog is where I vent feelings, so do not get the idea that everything is horrible in Russia. I am learning a lot, culturally and linguistically. I’m making new friends, visiting neat places and trying new foods. I’m growing SO much as a person and I constantly … Continue reading Dealing with Discrimination
Asking where the Soap Hotel is in the Grocery Store
If you have been following my Moscow blog since day one, you might remember that on my very first post I wrote how one of my fears was to get yelled at by a babushka at a grocery store. I wrote how this happened to a friend who once studied abroad in Russia because he … Continue reading Asking where the Soap Hotel is in the Grocery Store
Бардак — Functioning in Chaos
Last week I learned a word that cannot really be translated into English, a word that is specific to the Russian language and culture. That word is “Бардак” [bardak]. It translates to “mess” on Google Translate, but that does not explain the full nuances of the word. I definitely do not understand all the nuances … Continue reading Бардак — Functioning in Chaos
Host Home Stresses
1/27/19 Here’s an old post I wrote on the second day of being at my new host house. Today I was so frustrated with my host that, in complete honesty, I felt like crying at a few points. This feeling is actually quite a common experience — each time I study abroad, I get it … Continue reading Host Home Stresses
I bought an egg!
About two weeks ago I landed in Russia, and about one week ago I started living with my new host family and going to my classes at the university. I am hoping to make a post on all of these new things soon, but wanted to update first why it took me so long to … Continue reading I bought an egg!
Crazy Memories Begin
Each time I study abroad there are a few crazy stories that I can never forget. For example… In Seoul, South Korea: Ari and I hiked a mountain near my host family’s home and found a dead cat. We called the animal control services to report the carcass and then were promptly told we trespassing … Continue reading Crazy Memories Begin
The 14th Home — Moscow
As some may or may not know, this semester I am studying abroad in Moscow, Russia. I will be staying in my 4th city abroad long term, with my 4th host family. This will be my 14th home since birth. Growing up my family moved through 9 different homes. Homes from the South and now … Continue reading The 14th Home — Moscow
