Доброе утро из России! Though it is late in the night back in the United States, here in Moscow the sun is shining high in the sky at 10am. I arrived in Moscow a week ago and moved in with my host family on Tuesday evening, and subsequently had two days of classes at the International University of Moscow (Московский международный университет). Tomorrow, I will start with my first full week of classes, which include lectures in Russian history, economics, grammar, video, and conversation.
My host family has been very nice and accommodating, and despite the language barrier between us, we have managed to communicate effectively so far. Still, the number of times that I have had to ask “Ещё раз?” or say “Я тебя не понимаю” in just a few days has been mind-boggling. I can usually understand them if they speak slower than normal, but at a regular pace it is very difficult for me. Nonetheless, I am learning that this is normal and acceptable. Now, I am working towards starting more conversations without prompting by others.
In spite of the language difficulties, Moscow is absolutely stunning. For the past few days, I have had the chance to explore some different parts of the city. With beautiful churches, historic sites, museums, and numerous cafes and restaurants, Moscow is perhaps one of the most complex and diverse cities in the world. Additionally, it is one of the world’s most populated – in addition to the 12 million people that call Moscow home, about 1.5 more million are here for the World Cup in Russia. I have seen fans from countries across the globe gathering in Moscow together and admiring the sights and sounds of this historic city.
In terms of education, the language program at my host university seems very intense and focused on acquisition. From Monday to Thursday, 9am – 3pm, I am in different classes, all taught in Russian. In our program, there are roughly 25 students, but we are split into smaller groups based on strengths and weaknesses. My group consists of five students, and it seems that the professors will probably target speaking and conversational skills for the next few weeks. Additionally, the whole group of 25 has two lecture courses together – 20th century Russian history, and the Economic and Social Geography of Russia.
For now, I am still adjusting to everyday life in Moscow, and I am sure that despite my best attempts I still stand out as a foreigner. However, I believe that some of my language skills and some of the confidence is improving. I look forward to the challenges of the coming week and will challenge myself to even more immersion and language interaction.