I'm just wondering how you adopted to a culture completely opposite of yours and do your ever miss your home country? Because I might be making the switch soon.
Russia - 5 Answers
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1 :
I have not gone to Russia, but I have moved 6,000 miles to New Zealand. Honestly I really didn't adopt, I tried to stick to my own culture as much as I could. And the New Zealand culture is vastly different from my own American culture. However, if you are going to try and adopt to a new culture, find a American/Russian program. New Zealand had one call NZAA the New Zealand American Association. They pretty much got Americans and Kiwis together and shared culture. Hope I helped.
2 :
Well I am Russian and now I live in South America. The culture here is really different, but the change is possible. I am not saying it will be easy, at first it's all really confusing but then after a while you can adapt yourself, and you start feeling that you've built a new home. Trust me, because I've gone through that. I do miss Russia, but lately not that much anymore, because eventually you just get used to the new environment :] It might be harder to some people, because you might have really strong connections with your home country, but nothing is impossible, and now that I think about it, it's not even THAT different. It might seem in the beginning as really different cultures and people, but the differences are minimal. After all...we are all people and a home can feel like a real home anywhere you build it, as long as you've built it with love and care. It just takes some effort and time. Also if you know the language things are much easier for you. It's really important to know the language, because then you can feel like one of the natives and not feel lost all the time. Even if you don't know the language, there's always time to learn...so NO worries. I came here not knowing Spanish and now I'm fluent :) It's great! Good Luck Hope I Helped :)
3 :
I'm an American and I lived in Russia (Vladivostok) for 3 years working as a government contractor. At first, it was difficult and I even wondered did I make the right choice by taking the job. During the day it was not so bad, I guess because I was at work, but the nights were lonely. I did not speak any Russian so I could not understand the TV, I could not read anything, so nights in my little apartment were very boring. After I made some friends at work, I started to get out more and soon I had many dates with beautiful Russian women. After about 6 or 7 months, I met a wonderful lady that lived in the same building, we saw each other everyday and then of course, I loved being there. About 6 months later we were married, my wife has now be here in the USA for 10yrs, and she says she misses Russia sometimes, but she says she will never go back. She says here in the USA, she has a good husband, a good home, and a good life.
4 :
Hahahaha Kioshi L, I moved form America to New Zealand too! Terribly different cultures. I found that they weren't very accepting of other cultures in NZ. It's either be a New Zealander or get out. lol. I don't let it bother me though. I'm proud to be an American, whether they like it or not :) And thats all that counts. So are you moving from Russia to the US or from the US to Russia? Americans are typically way more accepting than a lot of other people, because if you look at it, we're all descendants of immigrants. We're basically all 'mutts' (to put it one way lol), so it's not weird or uncommon to be from a different country or background. I've never been to Russia but I'm absolutely DYING to go, and a lot of people I know that have gone there really liked it. It's just a different culture, different way of life. It's all they have ever known, just like your culture is all you've ever known (not saying you're ignorant to other cultures, but it sounds like this is you're first 'out of country' move. Sorry if I'm wrong :) ). The trick is to just stay true to yourself. As horribly corny as that sounds hahaha. You don't need to change for anyone. At the end of the day, we're all just humans. BUT, that doesn't mean you can be completely ignorant to their culture. Like refusing to speak their language and expecting them to put up with you, purposefully not talking to people etc. Just plain rude things like that. Make an effort to immerse yourself somewhat in their culture, but don't forget who you truly are :) Good luck :) I'm sure you'll have a great experience
5 :
I was born in America to a pretty traditional Russian family. I never knew it was possible to miss a country that one has never been to until I started researching Russian culture and found explanations for a lot of things that people are rude to me for (dressing up, being "too closed off," disliking fake friendships, "flirting" (actually just being friendly) too much, etc.). Americans overall are *not* as accepting as people say. If it were logistically possible for me to move to Russia, I would!
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