Hello everyone

[Steveb2418]

Hello all !

I joined just a few minutes ago ,so I'm a little uncertain as to what I'm doing    Anyway, after retirement at a very young age, well, early 50's. I've become a student,  I'm studying Russian at a well respected university ,and in 12 months time I will spend a year in Russia as part of my degree course.  I am a big fan of Russian women and wonder if anyone has any advice to pass on, even though it's a  year off I know the time will pass quickly :-) 

[BC]

Welcome Steve,

The only advice I can give ya is to study, study, study...

The rest will evolve naturally when your feet hit the ground.

What a fabulous opportunity.. enjoy it!

[remiel6]

Let me add a welcome to the forums, browse around and enjoy and learn and follow BC's advice

[myrddin]

Welcome, Steveb2418! (aka lucky man)

There's advice all over the place, so your RW course is just beginning  

Check out the RWDpedia and RWD Glossary (above left, probably) and read all the threads you can handle.

Good luck!

[Shadow]

Welcome.

Make sure that you do not just study the Russian language, but also the habits and culture. Russian is a language that is connected to the soul of the people, and using the words without knowing more would be like talking Shakespeare to a kindergarten : they might know the words but would not understand what its about.

[Steveb2418]

Its a four year Russian studies course, language history and culture, and literature. So very comprehensive really     

[Rina_G]

wow so long!
hope you know about Russia more than me - lol
in what russian  city you plan to live?

[Gator]

Welcome Steveb!

About 4-6 months before you go to to Russia, you may want to contact a select few RW in the city where you will stay.  I would avoid women who are anxious to get married. 

[NJ]

Welcome Steve!

As all other nations we Russians love people that try to learn about us. Another plus will be the fact that you speak some Russian. It will make your communication with RW way easier. No need to say that staying in Russia for a year will bring you many opportunities with RW. So as a conclusion, you are in more privileged position then most members on this board.

Just curious. If you are already retired, would you consider staying in Russia if you met a woman there?

[Steveb2418]

Well, the honest answer to that is "Yes"  Of course I can't be sure until I've lived there for a while, all I can say is the longest stay so far is three weeks in Minsk Belarus, and after that I really didn't want to come home :-)   (I know, yes, Belarus  ) 

I'm doing a certificate in English teaching with my spare university credits, so I'd be able to work.   One of my hobbies is weightlifting, and a year ago I took up Girevoy sport.  I'd like to compete in Russia, just for the experience.  I have my first competition here in the UK next month, under Russian supervision.  Yes, I'm the oldest competitor, but so what !!   I think I have the potential to become very "Russified"   

[Steveb2418]

Oh, as to where I'll be living.  The year is split in two, it seems most are placed in Moscow or St Peter for the first half, then  either Volgograd or Yaroslavl for the second half.  As I'm older its been suggested that I could go anywhere, as long as it's acceptable to the university.   

[Rina_G]

Welcome Steveb!

About 4-6 months before you go to to Russia, you may want to contact a select few RW in the city where you will stay.  I would avoid women who are anxious to get married. 

Sorry Gator - I don't like idea about several.
Russians say - if you run to two rabbits you don't catch one

[boaterguy]

Sorry Gator - I don't like idea about several.
Russians say - if you run to two rabbits you don't catch one

LOL! Rina...you should have added this: 

 

[Steveb2418]

LOL! Rina...you should have added this: 

 

No misbehaviour planned    First and foremost the year is about increasing my Russian language ability, and as for the rest, well it is a whole year, a great deal could happen