Article - 1 - 2-20-2010
Expat: Three Weeks and Counting
I have now been an Expat for 22 days. That’s three weeks and some change, for those of you who’d like a better mental picture. (Or, well, Pi, if you’re Mathematical like that.)
I’d like to have some fun with this article and give you, my lovely reader, a run-down of what you can accomplish in your first two weeks as an Expat somewhere. Before I do, however, I think an introduction is in order! My name is Caitlan (AKA – Moscow Kitty), and I am a 21-year-old Senior at Purdue University, where I am working on a double major of French and Russian. In my free time, I am a competitive ballroom dancer, specializing in Latin. Welcome to my series of articles, “A Student’s Guide to Expat Life!”
Let’s get down to business then, shall we? Today, we’re going to take a look at some excerpts from, “Your First Two Weeks As An Expat: A Guide to the Highs, Lows, and ‘What??’s of Moving to a New Country.” (By: Moscow Kitty, Expat Student Publishing.) Based on my personal experience, should you choose to move to a foreign country for an extended period of time, you will:
*See new and interesting sights, which differ from your every day “norm.”
For Russia, See: Beautiful Architecture; Gorgeous Metro Stations; Fur Hats with tails; Fur Coats; Women-Who-Can-Walk-In-High-Heels-On-The-Ice-Faster-Than-You-Can-In-Your-Flats; Militsia personnel; An-Entirely-New-Alphabet; 24-Hour Flower Shops; Gypsy-Cabs.
*Realize that Wal-Marts/Various superstores in the US are REALLY convenient – and conveniently missing from your new locale.
*Learn that little shops you needed and went out of your way to find last week may pop up right in your backyard this week.
*Realize that the Internet is not so easy to get a hold of… … And can be an on-going battle to keep a hold of…
*Learn that you are capable of doing more than you think your language capacity will allow – or at least random strangers who speak your mother tongue are kind enough to come to your rescue.
Related: As a language student, you will NEVER be prepared for technical shopping: Internet, Cell Phones, Related Purchase-Plans, etc.
Also Related: Being so stubborn that you can ignore the fact that you know you should know you don’t have the language capacity for certain situations is a PLUS.
*… But you may still wind up rather stressed out at times…
Related: Good times will almost always follow when that happens.
Also Related: Making a joke or a humorous story out of said stressful situation is typically a good way to get over it.
*Realize that you have a better knowledge of how to get yourself back to “home base” from someplace new than you think.
*Try new foods – and immediately find new favorites that you will miss like crazy if you leave your new locale!!
For Russia, See: Baranki (Think: Little cookies that look like tiny bagels; crunchy.); Ovsyanoe (Soft oatmeal cookies.); Vareniki (“Ravioli” filled with mashed potatoes); Pelmeni (The meat-stuffed variant); Piroshki (May be stuffed with any of the following examples: meats, cabbage/vegetables, fruits, etc.); and Vinagret (Salad made of very finely cut: beets, potatoes, carrots, onion, a bit of pickle; salted cabbage, canned peas, oil, salt, and pepper.)
For Russia, See Also: Russian toasts are a spectacle; and even if you don’t drink… Well… You will. – Not to say that it will be heavily -- far from it -- but you’ll learn how to get involved, and will enjoy being part of all the camaraderie.
Warning: You may be asked to give a Toast!
*Come to the conclusion that maybe there are some things you should have brought from home that you did not – and wonder if you can hold out until your next trip home to get them.
For Russia, See: Cheap: Clothes, Shoes, Hair Appliances, Brown Sugar.
Also Related: You may get into a discussion with a local concerning what acceptable prices for an item are. E.g.: In Moscow, saying that you found a jacket or a pair of boots for $100 USD is something of a steal to the Local; while poor, American College students may object roundly to paying so much for either item.
Also Related: You may have a slight heart-attack when you see certain listed prices… Such as the $60-$100 dollar Hair Dryers and Straighteners…
*Learn that not all stereotypes are true; but that some are based in fact.
For Russia, See:
No, there are not Bears everywhere.
Yes, there is vodka, but it’s not a big deal.
Yes, Russians may seem cold or distant on the street…
… But if you get to know them, they are some of the most hospitable people on the face of the Earth!
Yes, many of the Russian women are beautiful – but so were many of the women where you came from.
Be aware, that these excerpts – which are constantly being revised – do not constitute a complete list of the possible experiences you may encounter! For everyone, they will be different. They may be stressful sometimes, and wonderful, humorous, or humbling at others. All-around, however, they will at least be good for a story back Home! That’s all for this edition of, “A Student’s Guide To Expat Life” – come back next time for a Q&A on Life in the Russian Federation!
