If you decided to travel to Russia, you probably want to find local friends as well. In addition to the memories that travelling gives us, we also add new friends on Facebook and add new phone numbers. If you often travel, you know that the people you meet on the way are completely random and appear exactly at the moment when it is necessary. So, it helps a lot when you study Russian and know at least basics. In most cases, people you meet are very good-natured towards you, so a conversation is always easy to start.
If you are among those who are struggling to get out of their comfort zone and are afraid to talk to a stranger, we have prepared 8 useful tips for you:
Sign up for a Russian Language Course
If you intend to stay in Russia for a week or more, why not taking up a Russian immersion program and learn more about Russian language and culture as well? You will be able to learn phrases that will help you in communication, and classmates from your Russian language school will be excellent companions in exploring the city. It is especially helpful if you visit Russia alone.
Sign up for some other courses
Perhaps you love Russian cuisine so much that you are ready not only to eat it for hours, but also to cook, or maybe you are so much absorbed in cinema that you are ready to attend courses on Weekends when you do not have Russian classes. Whatever you choose, you will always have the opportunity to make new friends there. These courses are another reason for learning Russian language as very few locals speak English in Russian cities.
Forget about the hotels
Of course, you cannot just knock on the first door and demand that people let you in, feed you and become your friends. However, there are many opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture of the country. Schools in St Petersburg Russia offer host family accommodation, which is perfect for those who want to live with locals.
Volunteer in Russia
Volunteering in Russia will not only help other people, but also immerse yourself in the Russian culture, get an unforgettable experience or even find a job for your whole life.
You can search for an internship in Russia in any field you are interested in and find your soul mates.
Don’t be afraid to chat
If you have breakfast in the same café near your Russian language school, spend the evening in the same bar, you will surely notice the same loners as you. Feel free to approach them and start a conversation. There are no such people? Nothing prevents finding a common language with the service staff – bartenders or waiters. As a rule, they are always ready to talk to students studying abroad.
One-day tours
Typically, tours are held in groups, so you will be surrounded by people. You can talk to them and make interesting acquaintances. Who knows, maybe it will grow into a strong friendship or even something more 🙂 Ask at the school where you are talking a Russian language course for such tours. They will recommend where to go and help you to book it.
Stay at the hostel
There is a large number of single travelers staying at hostels. It is a good option of student accommodation in St Petersburg or Moscow. Hostels are much cheaper and more interesting for younger travelers. You will never get bored or lonely – people from all over the world gather there to study language abroad, explore new cities and find new friends.
Find a social group
Meeting new people is not always easy while you study abroad. However, we can make it easier using social webs and other online services. Some of them organize meetings weekly and monthly to help people find like-minded friends.
It doesn’t matter if you only want to study in Russia or you already study Russian now, you can use these tips to make more new friends. Speaking the local language will help to make this process easier and faster.
