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49. In pairs, discuss the following questions.

1.Do you get many foreign tourists in your country?

2.What do they come to see? What do they come to do?

3.What are the most popular towns for them to visit?

4.What are the most popular places?

5.Which countries do the tourists come from?

50.Look at the title of the text (Ex. 52). It is a proverb. Try to explain it. Does it have an equivalent in Russian?

51.Match the words with their definitions and find them in the text.

When in Rome do as the Romans do

The author, Olga Zatsepina, PH.D, is an Associate Professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University (Faculty of Foreign Languages) and has been teaching an intercultural communication course "Cultural Diversity of the Modern World" for Russian and American students for the last 9 years at different institutions of Moscow and New York. (www.culturelinks.net).

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“My students agreed to let me publish ideas and statements they made for the sake of future Americans who will come to study in Russia. I express my gratitude and appreciation of these students who were able to understand and love Russia, especially: Michael Johnson, Rachel Purkett, Nick Butler, Jane Janosky, Latta Anthony, Melissa Mc Crimmon, Stephanie Curbo, Wade Stormer, and many others who were my students in Moscow at the Grint Institute”.

We have all heard that “When in Rome do as the Romans do”. That advice is equally appropriate when visiting the Russian Federation so it is important to know a little about what the do's and don'ts that Russians will expect of you. This paper describes some of them. In it, I draw on more than a decade of continuous travel between the US and Russia and the suggestions I make are illustrated and confirmed Иby the many American and Russian students I have been privileged to have in my classes.

some ideas of American students whom I taught at the Grint Center of Ed-

ucation in Moscow. These were students majoring in International Affairs,

Russian Literature or the Russian Language, who came to Moscow from

different US universities. They were much more prepared to come to Rus-

Of particular interest to anyone whoДplans to go to Russia would be

sia to live for a semester of study abroad at the Grint Center than regular

While comparing Russia and the US during the course, the students, well prepared, studied a lot and not only from books. Having an opportunity to be "in the field," they could experience Russian life (not only in Moscow) and make their own observations which inevitably led them to develop their own stereotypes. Although students traveled to different places during a semester, their main port to Russia was Moscow, and, just as every American knows that New York is not all America, Moscow is not all Russia. Traveling to Moscow requires determination, flexibility, an open mind, and plenty of patience. The capital of Russia is not as safe as it was back in the days of the Soviets but, a trip to Moscow presents not more risk than traveling in a major city in the US; there are many things to learn in this world class metropolis.

During the course, I asked my students to write recommendation letters to those American students who would be coming to Russia after

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them. All of the students' ideas are interesting and for this article I have selected items that I could put in the context of "what to do and not to do if you go to study in Moscow". These are just tidbits of information that my American students, having lived in Russia for some time, think that other students should know in advance. I hope you find them valuable.

Note that when traveling abroad you should naturally check with the government's periodically posted advisements concerning Russia in general. However, that simply cannot tell a student everything that he or she needs to know.

53. Match the words with their definitions and find them in the text below.

54. The text is about American students who want to study in Russia. Which of the following do you think are good suggestions or bad suggestions for such people in Russia? Put a tick (۷) for the good ones.

If you go to study in Russia, ….

1)… should be punctual and come to the lectures in time otherwise you will be punished.

2)… if you don’t understand anything you should ask your embassy. Never ask Russians.

3)… you should try to avoid eating in Russian canteens.

4)… you should be careful with public restrooms. Take tissues with you.

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5)… never use the metro as your money and passport could be stolen easi-

ly.

6)… make Xeroxes of your documents and always take them with you.

7)… as a foreigner you can use ‘ti’ when speaking to people.

Then read the text and check your suggestions. What suggestions would you give to someone who goes to study in Russia?

DO's

Basics:

•Bring US dollars, but only in new or relatively new bills or they won't be accepted for exchange. It is better to have bills in denominations

of more than $20.You can change them in most banks, just look for the sign outside the building and watch the rates againstИthe ruble. It is a good idea to bring an ATM/Debit card to withdraw extra amounts of cash, just be cautious of the ATM you use.

•Respect the metro. The incredibleДsubway system in Moscow can truly be an inexpensive and convenient blessing. However, the metro can also be the set of a pickpocket ofАfight. Do not flash money in the metro. Keep your metro pass separate. Don't speak loudly or make a fool of yourself on the metro. It is consideredбrude, and it will just make Russians think less of Americans.

•Watch out forиyour documents. Some will say always carry your passport and visa. Others will disagree. Speak to your host institution on the subject. ButСregardless, try to get an official copy of your passport and visa and always show that before showing the original. Be sure you have Xeroxes of your passport - take several. An official "Studenchesky Bilyet" or student card, will often suffice with the local enforcement. When going out, leave your passport and any cards (credit, insurance, ID, etc.) that you won't need in a safe place. If you are robbed while out on the street you will have not lost everything.

•Take some passport/size photos with you - these can be useful for getting a propusk, etc.

•Always have a back up. Try to have a back up plan for everything. Have extra money hidden on you and in your room for emergencies; bribes are a reality. Have a back up of local and international cards. That way you can always make a phone call. If you are at a bar late, save a little cash. In case you miss the last subway (it works till 1am), you will need to take a

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taxi. Always have important telephone numbers with you. You never know when you will have an emergency.

• America uses 110, Russia 220+. If you plan on packing electronic components, bring the necessary adaptor as most homes have no need of them. Hair dryers need at least 1600 wattage converters.

• In the right situation do not be shy. In class, in the dorm, and in other safe social situations do not be afraid of making mistakes while trying out your Russian tongue. Most Russians are just happy that you are trying and will help as much as possible. Try to make Russian friends at school, through your family, and during inter-program excursions. Part of being here is learning how Russians behave between themselves. The more you talk with native speakers, the more you will force yourself to learn. You will learn a lot just by listening to the way they speak, in addition to how they speak. Be open to meeting all the Russians you can. Most Russians are truly warm and hospitable despite their normal cold and pessimistic at-

titudes on the street.

• When in doubt, ask. Very often AmericansДИassume that if something is wrong, someone will let you know. Russians often assume you know what they want. This creates a discrepancy.А Ask about house rules when you arrive. If you do not know how to do something, simply ask someone. Additionally, Russians showбpoliteness by being vague and beating around the bush. If you are politely insistent, eventually, they will figure out that you really don't knowиand will enlighten you.

• Always use "vi" with Russians whom you do not know, even if they are the same age.СWait for the Russians to initiate using "ti" with you.

• Boys should be aware that in Russia, men still pay the bill on dates.

• If you are wearing gloves, take them off when you shake hands.

• Shoes: bear in mind that you will be walking a lot. I mean a lot! Make sure that when you buy shoes, they are built for comfort. That is not all; most Russians only wear dark colors of shoes. Men almost always wear black. If you have space, bring your own house shoes. When you visit a typical home, you will be asked to remove your shoes and wear house shoes. So buy shoes that can be easily taken off and on, and have some nice shoes handy.

• Clothes: Pack dressier clothes than you normally would. Russian students get really dressed up for class (expect to see young men in full suits walking around your campus). Russians, especially women, pay at-

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