Is Going to Work in Siberia (or Russia) Right for You?

I went over to Russia for the first time in 2004 to teach English; not just Russia, but to Surgut - a smallish town in the frozen wastes of Siberia. The time was right for me and it was just what I needed. That, however, isn't the case for everyone.

Siberia... snow and apartment blocks... get used to it.

I went off to Russia following a number of years which were personally limiting and restrictive - no, not prison! [explained here] I was ready to stretch myself and desperate for the challenge. The timing was perfect on a personal level and professionally too, having had a relatively gentle introduction to teaching to get some experience under my belt.

I'd say that I'm mentally strong and analytical and observant, with a desire to discover and learn. I think that these qualities served me well as Russia isn't an easy place to go. In the UK, everything's made easy and so much is handed on a plate to you, so much so that people stop thinking for themselves. Compare the two countries: Britain - signs which warn of steps, yellow and black striped tape and you can still sue if you fall downstairs; Russia - crash, bang, wallop... "You should've looked where you were going, idiot!" You have to look out in Russia - yes, you can have a great time - but in those 4 years, more friends and colleagues were victims of crimes than in all my years in the UK.

That's where the mental strength is needed: for the individual and collective set backs and to stay positive; for the grind of the weather, which causes your mood to drop; and for a city which can feel like a prison at times - no wonder the Soviets placed so many Gulags in the north or in Siberia, places which are as geographically imprisoning as any walls Two or three non-Russians independently used the phrase 'cabin fever' in spite of the cameraderie. Larger cities certainly have more to offer for activities and cultures. A colleague once commented, "Surgut has three tourist attractions." I jokingly replied, "You bastard, you didn't tell me there was a second one!"

Tourism on the Surgut Riviera ;)

I wanted to learn the language - this made me self-sufficient and enabled me to meet people, to get to know them, and get an insight into the locals and the locality. I wanted to have fun there and the language facilitated that. Being analytical, I learnt by listening and watching, not just talking to Russians about myself (says the man writing a blog post more or less about himself); compare, "Guess how old I am? Guess how many countries I've been to? Guess.." [Yawn, as some twat flatters his own ego by trying to impress people who are by now just humouring him]. One year, three teachers ended up leaving work together in the evening and going home to watch TV together, English language channels of course. For 6 months, one only went to work, shop and the internet cafe! To me, what was the point of going? What did you gain?


The English teachers [English as their mother tongue, i.e. foreigners in Russia] had a wide range of skills and characters. Many flourished for a variety of reasons, using their qualities, having a great time and developing themselves. But those who struggled either lacked adaptability and receptivity to new ideas or situations and the mental fortitude to cope with difficulties and the relentless weather and isolation. Those were the ones who wilted or failed to make the most of a unique opportunity abroad.

In answer to the question in the title; for Russia, generally, to be right for you, you're going to need some of that mental strength, self-reliance and openness to ideas and opportunities and you'll need more of them for Siberia. It's not for everyone, but I had the time of my life.

Ice slide in Surgut.

A last piece of advice on this question: look at the picture of ice slide again. Is it shit because it's snowy, icy and -20°C or is it an opportunity for fun?

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Elsewhere on this blog:

Contractual Issues #1