Immigration in Russia
Everyone has their own reasons for changing their place of residence: for work, for love, in search of the unknown and new sensations, in search of a better life, or for study. Sometimes, circumstances develop in such a way that an unplanned move can occur.
Changing climate, language, culture always requires a certain amount of courage and tough motivation. Especially if you need to cross the ocean. This is exactly what happened to one of the heroes of my interview, Leonardo from Venezuela. He followed love. Another, Argentinean Alberto, came to study. How they live here, whether they were able to adapt to the Russian winters, find friends and join a foreign culture, we learn from their story.
Tell us about yourself – your name, citizenship, age, education, what did you do at home?
Leonardo: My name is Leonardo Mora, I am 37 years old, I am from Venezuela, I worked as a personal fitness trainer in Venezuela for 10 years. In St. Petersburg, I work as a spoken English and Spanish teacher. I am a graduate of the Faculty of Tourism, but my love for sports made me come back to it all the time in my country.
Alberto: My name is Alberto, I am from Mendoza, Argentina. I now live in Moscow, came to study economics 2 years ago.
What did you know about Russia before coming here?
Leonardo: Before coming to Russia, I knew only what I saw in the movies, vodka, bears, rude men, beautiful women and all that.
Alberto: Basically, I knew that this is a country with a rich history, culture and that I was most interested in the developed space sphere. Of course, this is also a very cold country.
How did it happen that you ended up in Russia?
Leonardo: I ended up in Russia because I fell in love with a Russian woman, and at some point she needed my help because of the cancer that she got, so I moved to help her. Now she is my wife. I never thought that I would live here.
Alberto: I was planning to come to study economics at Moscow University.
How long did the moving process take?
Leonardo: The whole process of moving took 6-8 months. I had to learn a minimum of Russian, enough to get permission to stay. I did it at the Russian consulate in Venezuela. It was very intensive classes to learn such a difficult language, and that’s all. I am still studying it.
Alberto: Collecting all the documents, money, learning the Russian language a little, took about 1 year, but it was a very fast year due to the large number of things before the trip.
What was your first day in Russia?
Leonardo: My first day in Russia was when I arrived in St. Petersburg and I had to go straight to Moscow to go to the Venezuelan consulate, announce my arrival, then present an oral exam and written migration to demonstrate that at least At least I could communicate enough to have a normal job, practically, I could not have a good rest the first week, which is why, as in any country, the bureaucracy of governments is always annoying. As soon as this stage was passed, I began to get to know St. Petersburg and get used to everything it has to offer.
Alberto: It was an unforgettable day, I walked a lot because I wanted to see everything, but Moscow is very big, it is impossible to do it in 1 day, I also settled in my first apartment and bought a lot of things to start a new life. I especially remember that at first everything that I studied in Russian was useless, because I was ashamed to speak, but then I grew bolder and it got better and better.
How long did it take you to start an independent life in Russia, to get used to the climate and culture?
Leonardo: I don’t know about other people, but maybe because of my lifestyle, it takes me a long time to get used (almost 2 years or more) to the culture itself, its people, its winters, autumn and spring , since in Venezuela we always have only mild summers. And there is a harsh summer with a few months of rain that we might call “winter”.
Russian winter is one of those things that at first did not give me the opportunity to leave home, endless autumn rains, snowfalls that sometimes happen in spring, because this is Russia, roulette, where you do not know what the weather will bring tomorrow.
Alberto: About 6 months. The most difficult thing was the language to communicate freely, everything else had already been decided, because the very fact of learning makes it possible for an active life. But after 6 months I was able to communicate perfectly.
How was your first winter in Russia?
Leonardo: Anyone who says they love the cold without being at -30 degrees has no idea what they are talking about when they say, “I love the cold.” 
Alberto: COLD !!! There is a big difference with South America, but with a lot of clothing and heating, there is no problem and the snow is so beautiful that I forget all the cold, I really love it. And in summer it is pleasant to visit parks and many places that are worth seeing. This was the most amazing for me.
Leonardo: I think there are several different things between our cultures. For example, people do not smile at you like in my country. In my country, whether you know a person or not, if you smile at him, he will give you a smile. so, and it struck me at first. But then I realized the meaning, it’s very interesting. People here do not smile at just anyone, even if they work with the audience. They smile only to close people, friends and family. The rest will be treated politely, but no more Togo. If you smile at them without knowing them, they will think that you are either crazy or drunk. And many times people looked at me in surprise, because I am a person (I still do this) who smiles at everyone, I am used to my Latin blood.
In addition, people here are only interested in their lives, and are in no hurry to be interested in the rest of the people around. And in any part of the city I saw people reading books, which in other countries of South America can be seen very rarely.
Besides, Russians are honest people. If they don’t like you or have done something they don’t like, they will let you know. In my country, we avoid conflicts, and just keep silent. We consider conflicts unnecessary and just want to enjoy life. have fun or go to the beach.
The most interesting thing in St. Petersburg is that there are many Russian people who are very interested in knowing Latin culture, they study language, dances, songs, all this seems romantic and it is very pleasant to see your own culture with different eyes, this makes you appreciate it more.
Latin dance on the arrow of V.O.
Alberto: Because in Argentina, mostly people like to get together in groups, it doesn’t matter if they know each other or not. Argentines in this sense are more extroverted and establish faster connections with people, and it doesn’t matter where you are or who you are, they always open the doors of their house and communicate with you with great sympathy. But Russians love to learn Spanish, dance and find Latin America is very exotic, they are always ready to learn more about the other part of the world.
What traditions or cultural values would you export to South America?
Leonardo: I would export their way of life from Russia to Latin America, not completely, but if this was the part where they take care of their city and their vision of what it means to be a citizen. Love for art and culture.
Alberto: Respect for different ideas, seriousness at work, punctuality and the value of promises that when you say something, you really do it, and these are not just empty words, especially for Argentines. The education system is also very interesting. Russians have a lot of sports. achievements, they are professionals. I believe that this is a product of their discipline. They are serious people.
Do you see Russia as your future home or do you want to live in other countries too?
Leonardo: I see a second home in St. Petersburg, but Venezuela will always be the main one. I would like to travel to other countries, although I have already visited 6 different countries in Europe.
Alberto: For me, Russia is fun, because it is such a big country that it is impossible to get bored, and you can always find something interesting. And I think that for the Russians living in South America for a while, too. We have a lot in common and mutual respect, I would like us to be more united, despite the distance, but after my studies I will return to Argentina.
How long have you been living here? Was it difficult to find a job?
Leonardo: I have been here for 5 years. It was difficult to get a job, especially since the Russian language is not easy and it is still difficult for me to speak it. And the Russian language, as such, is very difficult, therefore it requires a lot of dedication.
Alberto: I have been studying for 2 years. I also work in a restaurant as a bartender and a waiter. It is difficult here without a good job, the prices are very expensive compared to South America, and the salaries are terrible. I have 2 jobs and I cannot achieve the standard of living that was in Argentina.
Do you use your education in Russia?
Leonardo: Unfortunately, I cannot use my skills here, because in Russia they require certain diplomas to work as a coach.
Alberto: When I finish my studies, I will return to Argentina to work in the family business of exporting meat and wine.
How did you meet your Russian wife?
Leonardo: I met my wife on the Internet, and it’s a crazy story. We talked via video link for many years until we decided to meet, and she went to my country at the height of the political problem that Venezuela still suffers from.
Alberto: I am not planning a serious relationship with a Russian girl, because I am here only for study.
How do you solve the housing problem?
Leonardo: We rent an apartment on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, it’s cheaper and it’s a good area.
Alberto: I rent a two-room apartment, shared with another student from Italy.
What are your plans for the future? Are you planning children?
Leonardo: Our plans are to enjoy life. We are not planning children.
Alberto: Return to Argentina and work in the family business
Do you like living in Russia in terms of comfort and safety?
Leonardo: I like St. Petersburg as a city, but you have to be open-minded to move to a country like this, the mentality is very different, food prices are not high, but the rent is somewhat high. But it is safe here, and you can be calm anywhere. Venezuela is a concrete jungle and one of the most dangerous countries in the world. By comparison, St. Petersburg is a paradise.
Alberto: I feel comfortable. Russians are not cold, as it seems, they integrate you without exaggeration, but they are very educated, especially in small Russian cities. I have never felt discrimination. It is not difficult for me to live here, this is a country that always gives you something.
Do you have a business here, was it easy to organize it?
Leonardo: I haven’t. But I know a few friends who have and it was not so difficult.
Alberto: No
Do you like Russian cuisine?
Leonardo: I like some Russian dishes. There are others, which are not so many. The variety has its own taste.
Alberto: It’s very exotic, it was difficult at first, but I’m used to it, I miss the most natural vegetables and fruits of the best quality and at lower prices, which are not only in the supermarket. These smells are not found here.
How often do you see your relatives who stayed at home?
Leonardo: Since I came here, I have not been able to return to my country because the tickets are very expensive. Besides, there is poor internet and sometimes video calls are not possible. So it took a very long time.
Alberto: I haven’t visited my family since I live here. Tickets are very expensive.
How do you feel about local moral principles, religion?
Leonardo: Russians are very classic when it comes to religion and society as such, I didn’t pay much attention to that. I can adapt to any habitat
Alberto: I am good at adapting, respecting other people’s beliefs and culture. I enjoy learning new things. I’m only a temporary visitor here, and respect for the laws of the country is necessary to avoid problems and calmly carry out your plan.
Thank you Leonardo and Alberto for sharing their impressions of Russia and their stories.
By the way, Leonardo also blogs about Russia, his impressions and just about life. You can read here http://lamujerdelotro.blogspot.com/?m=1
