A couple of years ago I got in touch with a woman from Belarus. I had just gone through a divorce and was looking for someone a little different, so I went there to meet her. Though nothing came of the meeting I found myself interested in the culture and the people. To me it was like stepping 70 years back in time – everything from the old-fashioned trains to the very atmosphere of the city reminded me of films about the 30's and 40's.

After returning home I started looking online to find any information I could about Russia and the former USSR countries. I even went as far as to get language tapes and started learning Russian. I don't speak enough to really get by, but I did learn enough to ask for help and to find my way to the bathroom.

While looking into all these sites about Russia I found a book online called A Cheap Ticket to Russia. It outlined several ideas for getting to Russia at little or no expense. One of the ideas was to go as an English teacher. The book explained that there was a large demand for native English speaking people and that there were many schools that could be found online. Google brought up dozens of sites about teaching EFL in Russia. On one site I found about 20 ads for schools all over Russia. I selected three from the list and sent e-mails asking for information.

To my surprise I received two replies within the first 12 hours. One was from an agency that wanted me to pay for a placement in a school; the other was from a small school deep in the heart of Russia. The director, Guzel, sent me information about the school, its students and about the city it was located in, Oktyabrsky. About 200Km from Ufa, Oktyabrsky has a population of about 140,000 and isn't frequented by tourists. Foreign teachers there are treated like movie stars. Guzel's organization also had another, smaller school in another city, Tuimazy, about 20 km away. This sounded like the best place to see the real Russia.

After a few letters back and forth between Guzel and I, she offered me a volunteer position. The position paid $100 monthly and an apartment was provided for me at no charge. She also provided me with a visa invitation for three months, though I was only able to go for one. The hundred dollars wasn't much of a lure, but the book said cheap ticket, not free ticket. While waiting for the invitation I decided I had better look into teaching in a little more detail. I found several schools that offered online TEFL courses with prices ranging from $295 to $350.

While it was not a requirement, I took a course anyway just so I would have an idea of what was expected of me. I suggest that anyone going to teach in Russia should at least think about an online course as minimum preparation. It was helpful. There are many schools that require such courses, but you can find schools that don't. The course I took was with Bridge-Linguatec. They allow 6 months to complete the course, but you can do it in about three weeks if you devote some time every day.

On the 17th of October, after all the plans were made, I was on my way to Russia. Guzel and her husband, Rafis, met me at the Airport in Ufa and drove me to Oktyabrsky. On the way, Rafis was pulled over twice by traffic police. My hosts explained that the police were very corrupt there. Apparently they carry speed limit signs and set them up whereever they like, then pull people over and make them pay to go on. The police are not popular there.

The roads also left a lasting impression; again it was like stepping back in time. I remember that roads in the 60's in America were better then this, but we made it to Oktyabrsky in one piece.

The apartment they provided was not quite the Ritz, but I had been in worse and I was there for the experience. It was on the ninth floor (very top) and only a 2 minute walk from the school. Guzel came the next morning to take me to the school and show me around. They are run their private school in the building of a regular state school. They rented rooms for the English classes, which were also attended by many of the regular school's students. We spent the day getting acquainted with some of the students and the two regular teachers, Regina and Alsoo.

I got along very well with both of them, although Alsoo was quick to correct me when I told the students that they didn't have to speak perfect English because most Americans don't speak perfect English. They were both young women, about 22, and spoke good English. The students ranged from 8 years old to about 45. As the week went on I got to meet them all and Guzel was right, they did treat me as if I were a movie star.

Not really having much to do, I came to the school early every day and helped with classes that I wasn't even scheduled for. I did walk around the town a little from time to time. It is what I would call a quaint little city. Most of the business is oil related. The weather was fairly unpredictable, but with each passing day it got colder and colder. Walking around gradually became less desirable. In America, people tend to think of Russia as being very cold, but in fact it wasn't much colder than in New York at the same time of year. I think the difference is that here in the States the temperature tends to go up and down more. In Russia it goes down and stays there.

As I started working with the older students, all the questions seemed to center around politics and life in America. For the most part they all thought that everyone in America was rich and life was beautiful all the time. I hated to be the one to burst their bubble, but I had to explain that not all in America was as they saw it on television. As time went on and the conversations continued, I tried to explain that there are rich and poor people in America, just as there are in Russia. That there are many people who don't have much money and live from month to month just as many do there.

I think one big difference is that we have much more provided for us here in America and we are used to having more material things. Maybe we are even spoiled a little. There are simple things that they don't have in Russia that we take for granted, like good roads, good schools and police officers who don't rob you.

It took a little time for the students to decide I was a decent guy, but then I was invited to their homes at weekends and out to dinner. When I saw them on the street, I was greeted with hellos and warm smiles. I did get the strangest look from people because of my cowboy hat, though. I guess they had never seen a cowboy. I was a little far from home.

Overall, the trip was a great experience and the people were great. I felt like part of the family and can't wait to go back. Many of the students e-mail me and tell me about the new things going on and ask when I will be returning. I did meet a special lady while I was there and I do have plans to go back to her. I am not sure I was really cut out to be a teacher, but while I am there I plan to help out with the school as much as possible. Let's face it; if you are looking for a real life experience in Russia, the paycheck is not what you are going for. In the whole month I was there I actually spent about $300, the plane trip cost $1150, and the visa was $200. Being with good people was priceless.

If you are looking to become a teacher, this is a great way to start. To anyone wanting to get started in teaching, I would recommend Oktyabrsky. For more experienced teachers, they do offer competitive pay. To find out more, get in touch with Guzel at guzel@land.ru. She will be more than willing to tell you all about the school and how you can come to Oktyabrsky yourself. Tell her Will sent you, and maybe I will see you there on my next trip. If I can help in any way, you can reach me at spottedcircle@msn.com.

Will Loudner
Spotted Circle Ranch
Oklahoma