Let’s imagine that you have decided to travel to Russia in winter. What is the first thing that comes to your mind? If we talk about stereotypes, it is the dead cold. Should you not expect a frosty fairy tale with sparkling snow and a clear sun from Russian winter. You’d better prepare in advance to be pleased by the weather in most cities.
If the reason for your visit is learning Russian language and you are going to choose host family accommodation in Russia, it will be easier for you to to follow essential steps to survive russian winter. But if you decide to visit Russia alone, you will have to get ready before you go.
As Russia is a huge country, the climate here is quite diverse. For example, Sakhalin is covered by snow six months a year, while the temperature in Sochi is rarely below -6 degrees. The “medium” winter is in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg, but it is still unwonted by most europeans. Here is a trick: cheap accommodation in Russia is easier to find in winter or in distant regions far from these two cities.
Also, the best way to practise your spoken Russian after language courses in St Petersburg is visiting places where natives don’t speak English. It can be the real russian immersion for you, better than intensive Russian language course. Real communication is what you expect when you decide to travel and study abroad.
Travelers note that true winter can only be seen in the east and north of the country. In Moscow it is often cloudy, and the landscapes take on a sullen look. In the Far East, for example, winter days are clear. As a result, snow sparkles in the sun and crunches underfoot. Everything is like in traditional Russian cartoons, films and fairy tales about winter. Beautiful, but very cold.
How to survive?
Russian winter will make you wear warm clothes. Wearing a sweater under a down jacket, and a shirt under a sweater is normal for a Russian person. It is better not to go outside without a scarf, gloves and a hat.
Foreigners who are not used to hats are experiencing a hard winter. People volunteering in Russia, those who came to study overseas or just travel to Russia – they all change their preferences in clothes in order not to be frozen. In addition, guests have to choose appropriate shoes. In winter, ice is everywhere in Russia, so if you do not want to fall in the middle of the street you buy shoes with a good stud.
If you are not ready to experience it, you can visit Russia in summer. During this season it is nice and warm in almost all parts of this country, even in Siberia! It is often up to +30 degrees in the south of the region which is considered to be the coldest. If you can’t wait to learnRrussian with a native speaker – you can always take up online Russian courses and learn Russian online staying in a warmer place.
