Ivanovo State University

Because of the financial crisis in Russia in August 1998 it was very difficult to receive money from the bank or to change it. Therefore, freinds that came to visit us brought money with them. But don't mind: since than, it is a lot of times that I have been to Russia. It is no problem to receive money from the credit card or the EC/ Maestro-card or to change dollars/ euros to rubels. But you' d better change in a official place like a bank, otherwise your money could vanish into thin air.

Although the whole student dormitory most often resembled a refugee camp than a student campus a appreciated the uniqe experience with hearing and speaking the Russian language all the time, because there was no other chance to communicate with the others

My girlfriend and I made a journey on the Trans-Siberian railwy - it is a absolute MUST!

The best cafe i would recommend is your friends 'babushka'. You shouldn't miss invitance of your friends to their homes - it gives you an detailed inside look to the hospitality ans warmth the Russians meet you. But, there is the so-called 'Taganka' - a club where you can go on a concert or simply to dance. The Russians are quite natural in their behaviour and uncomplicated, therefore it can be a lot of fun when going out with them.

Thanks to the fact that I lived in a student dormitory it was no problem at all to learn the phrases they use in everyday coomunication. My spoken language abilities have improved in such a degree that nowadays most of the Russian people I get to know do not realize that I am German. Most often they think that I am coming from the Russian province.