Fly through the Atlantic Ocean
Hello, I am brazilian, specifically from São Paulo city, where I lived until moving in to Kursk.
I intended to come to Russia since 2012, when I heard about KSMU for the first time. I was too young and my parents were concerned to let me move in to a country too far (almost 12 thousand kilometers far from Brazil), with a different culture.
So when I arrived in Russia it was really scarreful for me because I was far from everything I knew it. I arrived here even without any knowledge of Russian language. This was the worst part for me. It did not matter about the winter, snow or food. The language was the most difficult part to deal with. It still is, indeed.
Therefore, I think if I had come before, in 2012, I probably had give up. Fortunantely, I have technology to help me communicate with the people, nowadays. This tool is essential to my life because sometimes I can not even ask for dinner. Russian language is the higher barrier to us, brazilian people. It is a difficult language and most of the words and grammar does not seem anything that we know.
The adaptation in Russia was not so difficult. Russian people try to be patient with foreign and this is something good.
When I arrived, I was really scared, missing my family and then I had some comfortable breakfast at Donut Bar. The classes began and the time passed fast. Nowadays, I can remember some difficult moments when a russian person talked fast and hard with me or how hard is just understand how much you need to pay in the supermarket. I can not say that now I know russian language, but sometimes it is not so difficult.
In comparing where I lived in Brazil and now, in Kursk, it is not so difficult to adapt. There are some differences that I felt so much when I arrived, for example, in Brazil does not snow. Some of my adventures were to stand up, walk and equilibrate myself in the snow.
My main expectation was to learn other culture and become a doctor. As I study at an international university, I have been in constant contact with other nationalities. So all my own experience I am glad to Russian Federation to allow me and provide this amazing time that I’m passing.
text and photos Bruna Barbosa da Costa
I was born in Bolivia but lived In Brazil, and coming from an immigrant family, I always dreamed in living and studying abroad and Russia gave me this incredible opportunity.
Maybe by the fact that my decision to come to Russia were too hasty, I didn’t create many expectations, but I was full of curiosity of how Russian people deal with their political past, about their food et cetera.
My only expectations were that, as a normal south american, I born and grew seeing American movies in which the villain was always a Communist or a Russian, also listened popular saying that when things are going bad its common to say ‘’things are going in Russian way’’; so I expected Russian people being extremely cold people with an extremely rejection with foreigners.
As soon I arrived in Russia I found an extremely beautiful place, beautiful not just by the architecture but because the history that every corner of the city carries, by the patriotism that every citizen feels about their country.
I also realized that Russian people are colder than Brazilians but just at the beginning, that after getting to know better you realize that Russian people can be the kindest and nicest persons you will ever met, not being determined by the place that you born but by many other factors.
In short, I can say that each passing day, each new word I know, each new person I meet are making me constantly see more clearly the beauties that Russia has to offer to all of us.
I am adapting to the local rhythm of lifestyle. You want it or not, but new life requiers responsibility. And who should care of you? It’s you only. So, the organization of every day is getting trouble. Moreover, if you know how much time you have. And life in Kursk showed me the necessity of real friendship, who will be your second family.
I would like to advise you ask your mom or someone else how to cook (or, even watch some videos in Youtube). Prepare self on the mental way. It’s not so easy, especially when you come to a country where you know their language at all.
text Juan Jose Anze
