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NEWS
09/06 2010
Recent week was full of events! Our annual international project “Mix of Cultures 2010” started on Wednesday. The festive procession (The "Caravan of Cultures") along Lenin avenue has opened the project with great success.
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Useful tips or 12 simple ways to survive in a Russian familyLiving in a Russian host family is a perfect way not only to practice in Russian, but to improve its level. Furthermore it’s a great chance to learn more about the country itself. Living in any foreign family may turn to be a negative complication, at the same time it may become an enriching unforgettable experience.
Some students meet their real friends. Maybe their host family was greatly hospitable and the welcome was really cordial? It may be so. But what is the reason if another student put in the same family complaining that nobody wants to communicate with him?
So what are the ways of making your living in a host family a pleasant experience and not just a nightmare?
1. Remember Scouts’ motto – Be prepared.
Your host family is surely interested in you and your life. So bring along several post-cards of your native country or some pictures of your family. That will be a good start for communicating. You can describe the people in the photos and the places that they were taken in. Try to avoid short answers (äà or íåò) and the conversation will be more interesting.
2. Do not forget that communication is a two-way road.
If you want your host family to communicate with you more, don’t be shy – take the first step! Just tell them about your day’s activities. Even your lunch menu may become a fascinating topic for conversation.
3. Keep asking questions.
Members of your host family will be glad to answer your questions about their life, customs, and traditions. Ask them how long they have already lived in the city, if they have any relatives nearby. Do they visit any clubs, what hobbies do they have? Inquire about the city’s history and recent changes in its life. Try reading a local newspaper and discuss it with your hosts.
4. Stay with the hostess family after dinner.
In some Russian families there is a tradition to stay together in a sitting-room after dinner to watch news or discuss day’s events. You can join your hosts if you wish.
5. Offer your help in housework.
Your host family will appreciate your help in laying the table or washing up. At the same time it’s a good chance to practice the Russian language and to learn some new words.
6. Share your food preferences.
Speak about you preference in food. Be sure that you let your host know that you like her cooking, your host will be pleased. Before planning the menu she needs to know what you like and what you are allergic to. If you enjoy cooking, you can cook any of your national meals and treat your hosts.
7. Follow domestic rules.
Be sure that you know how to cope with all apartment stuff: how to lock the door (if you wish to come back late), where you are supposed to leave your washing, if you are allowed to use the hosts’ computer, etc. If you have any doubts or you think that you don’t clearly understand anything – please do not keep silent. Ask questions to get the full information.
8. Be ready for children’s curiosity.
Little children are usually very happy to meet new people and of course they are always pretty curious about their stuff. Keep all your valuable stuff inaccessible fromchildren. Inform a host mother if children enter your room unwished there, but try to be patient and tolerant – it is hard to explain to little children that it is not their territory anymore.
9. Try spending your free time not only with your host family.
Your host family understands that you meet a lot of new friends and want to spend your free time with them. Of course you are allowed to spend your evenings outdoors. Eitherwayyour hosts will take care of you, so please let them know if you are going to have dinner somewhere else or not going to stay home at night.
10. Remember - Your host family is still a family.
Please do not feel lonely if your host family wants to spend weekends without you. Try to use your free time to relax at home or visit your new friends.
11. Go Shopping.
Do not be afraid of asking your host family to take you with them when going shopping. It will begreat practice for you and good help for the family.
12. Name your problems.
If you have any problems, do not keep itin the dark. At first discuss it with your host family. Do not forget to inform the program administration about any troubles.
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