Studying abroad in Russia - safety?

Parents Forum
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<p>Hi, CC parents, </p>

<p>I've been lurking for several days but something has just come up with S and i'd like to get your opinions. </p>

<p>I live in NY and S1 is a student at a Texas state school. He's enjoying it and is double majoring in international relations and international business. He also loves languages, having studied French, Italian, Arabic, Spanish, and most recently, Russian. He's also very eager to study abroad, which H and i are encouraging him to do because we never had that opportunity in college. </p>

<p>Last semester, he had to fulfill some sort of world history requirement, and to do that, he took a Russian history class that he enjoyed very much. It was a small class, and he ended up as one of the professor's favorite students. He also got obsessed with the idea of studying abroad in Russia, and this professor recommended a program for him. S1 is very excited about the prospect of doing this program - a whole summer in St. Petersburg, Russia! </p>

<p>However, I'm VERY concerned for his safety. We are most emphatically not "Russian-looking" - H and I are both black. I've read some truly chilling things about foreign students/immigrants being assaulted and murdered in Russia by violent Russian nationalists, and I've read that sadly this type of crime is on the rise. I had no idea about this phenomenon and I couldn't believe it was true. </p>

<p>Just try to imagine my shock when I casually Googled "Russia crime" and was barraged with pages of sad videos and articles about victims of violent nationalism in Russia - black students afraid to leave their dorms, an Armenian woman whose husband was beaten to death in broad daylight by skinheads, Chinese students beaten on the Moscow metro, Central Asian workers dragged into the forest and decapitated on VIDEO with knives. I asked a Russian acquaintance of mine about all this and she said that sadly, it was all true and that those types of attacks rarely make headlines and that the perpetrators are either given extremely lenient punishments or are not punished at all. </p>

<p>And THEN, as if i wasn't already beside myself, i read that St. Petersburg has the highest incidence of this type of crime. I just can't fathom the thought of S1 even being verbally harassed by these people. I know that old axiom that "racism is everywhere" (and before you tell me that I'm being narrow-minded, that there's plenty of racism here - trust me, i KNOW that) but I just don't know if Russia is a safe place for my son to be all summer. I also realize that not ALL Russians are like this, and that most foreign students probably study in Russia without any real issues. I'm just afraid to subscribe to the line of thinking that "it'll never happen to me."</p>

<p>I just don't know how to express these concerns to him without hurting his feelings. I want him to be happy, but I also want him to be safe. What would you do in my place? Thank you so much in advance.</p>

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<p>My wife and I spent a few days in St. Petersburg last summer and it is a beautiful city. I wonder if the problems are as severe in the summer because the city is filled with tourists. While we never felt unsafe, we are white and were part of a tour group so I cannot claim that we are a good reference. I suggest contacting the program that your son is interested in to obtain their response to your concerns. If they can allay your concerns I would certainly encourage your son to practice good safety measures (always go out with a group, avoid the opportunity to overindulge in vodka, etc.). Best wishes.</p>

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<p>The Univ. of St. Petersburg caters to expats taking classes, not to mention several top US colleges have linkages with it. My S studied there (thru his college study abroad program) and I would have no problem recommending it. As in any foreign country, US citizens need to be aware of their surroundings. There were sections of Russia that the class visited and they were told to speak no English publicly. Of course, when they visited Latvia/Estonia, the Prof told them to not speak any Russian. Forwarned is… However, I really cannot comment on the racial aspects…</p>

<p>You might check with the student affairs program at your son’s college and ask them specifically about racial incidents involving current/former students traveling abroad.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Due to the high population of Russians in Estonia and especially Latvia, it is ridiculous to prevent students from speaking in Russian. I have not yet heard of an incident where a Russian person had been in danger just because of the language he used. As sad as it may sound, sometimes it may just happen the opposite way.
As a citizen of a former USSR state (Latvia) I hold no prejudice against Russians. They are just people like the rest of us and it is typical for real Russians as a nation to be very warm, welcoming and sympathetic. However, what concerns me and should concern you too, is the consequences from the heavy Soviet propaganda and Soviet pride that is still present mostly at the biggest cities of Russia. What you need to know is that society in Russia is quite diverse, starting from the very poor and uneducated, to the very rich oligarchs and not so rich top class scientists (science field is actually very strong in Russia). From what I’ve heard (and seen), the problem here is that the scientists and the intelligence in general isn’t respected as much as the nationalist-like politicians and oligarchs and therefore the society in general is still quite xenophobic. All in all I wouldn’t suggest you to take the risk, because there should be many opportunities elsewhere. Frankly, me as a white Latvian girl would be pretty afraid of going to Russia for studies as well.</p>

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<p>In the fall of 2009, my daughter was enrolled in a study abroad program at the Moscow Art Theater–it was sponsored by the National Theater Institute and Connecticut College. My D was in classes six days a week and didn’t have much time off. However, when she did, she and her classmates traveled all over the city by foot and public transportation. Rarely did she use cabs. One of her best friends in the program was black. I never heard her mention any kind of discrimination against her friend. The only crime she encountered was theft–one of the students in her program (an American) stole stuff from others in the program. Once in the subway, she saw a guy eyeing her purse and she turned around and glared at him and he smiled and moved away.</p>

<p>My husband and I and my oldest daughter and son-in-law went to visit our D in Moscow over Thanksgiving that year. We traveled to St. Petersburg as well. I really did not feel unsafe. My son-in-law was born in St. Petersburg, so we had a native speaker with us. However, he hasn’t lived in Russia since he was 7 years old. He spent a semester during his junior year at the University of St. Petersburg; my D (who was studying in Spain) traveled to see him twice. She didn’t encounter any problems–she speaks very little Russian.</p>

<p>I think that in any major metropolis there is crime and one needs to use common sense. I don’t believe Moscow is more dangerous. The program in which my D participated had an extensive orientation (before leaving for Moscow) and there were lots of tips and information about how to act/what to do in various situations and places to avoid. I believe that most programs for foreign students in Russia would have similar kinds of orientation. Plus, the kids checked in everyday with a resident coordinator who could field questions and handle various issues. I would check with the program that your student wants to attend and ask questions and find out about security issues.</p>

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<p>OP is wise to raise this issue. Safety in Russia for white visitors is one thing - safety in Russia for a person of color (black in particular) is another. </p>

<p>I spent some time in the former east block and can attest that the attitudes toward people of African descent in that part of the world can be alarming. </p>

<p>lingMom, I would be very direct with the organizers of the program your son is considering. Tell them bluntly what you’ve heard and read and listen carefully to how they respond. If this is a quality program, your concerns won’t come as a surprise, and the organizers should be able to explain how they prepare students and what precautions are taken in St. Petersburg to ensure safety. </p>

<p>If I were you – and if the organizers’ response is at all reassuring – I’d let your son go. Odds are he will spend most of his time in safe settings (class, museums, etc.) and in the off-hours he should always make a point to be part of a group. (Safety in numbers, etc.) With decent additional precautionary measures created by the organizers, I believe he should be OK. Good luck, OP!</p>

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<p>I would definitely not recommend it for a black guy. It’s too dangerous, the black girls may be OK there, but the guy is a “fair game” and may be jumped/attacked. He can visit as a tourist with a group, but not for “study abroad”.</p>

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<p>Thank you for all your responses. ugh, I’m just not knowing what to do right now. I think I’ll talk to my son about it and ask if he’s seen any of the news, but I won’t try to dissuade him from going. I think he’ll be fine if he abides by the “safety in numbers” creed…</p>

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<p>I agree that you are right to be concerned…I have been to Russia twice and was told that racial bias does exist in Russia against those of African descent.
sunnsea has a point in that going as a tourist and going to study abroad have very different implications. As a student studying abroad, your son would want to be able to travel around freely and not be concerned with safety issues.</p>

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<p>^^ we’re talking about a summer program: more limited in scope and --hopefully-- with more hands-on involvement on part of the organizers.</p>

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<p>I would not recommend Russia for a person of color. By color I mean any color; black, hispanic, or even slightly darker white (which might be construed as being Chechen or Georgian). A friend of a friend was stabbed while in Volgograd a couple years back, basically for being black while in Russia. After the recent attacks in Moscow the racial tensions are at an all-time high. The Embassy puts out a pretty thorough travel warning that discusses this. Russia may have a great history and some nice cities to visit, but it is NOT SAFE for any person of color.</p>

<p>JaneSmith</p>

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<p>My son went on a study abroad for 3 1/2 weeks during winter intersession…I assumed that there would be hands on involvement on the part of the organizers. Unfortunately besides running the classes and accompanying the students on some of the excursions that were planned, the organizers did not supervise the students at all. I was a little surprised at how much freedom they had. They went where they wanted and stayed out as late as they wanted. So don’t assume because a study abroad is of shorter duration that it will be more hands on in terms of supervision.</p>

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<p>A number of students at Russian universities come from Africa, because the education in Russia is so much better than in Africa. Not a substantial number by any means, but they exist… And a majority have not been killed… Race-based harassment does, without a doubt, go on, but it is not the norm. </p>

<p>Basically, I’d say his going to Russia is of the same risk as his going to Mississippi or some other historically racist state…</p>

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<p>Again, thank you all for your responses…</p>

<p>janesmith – oh my Lord! That is not what i was wanting to hear. I’m sorry about your friend. i also hadn’t considered the ramifications of the recent terrorist attacks. </p>

<p>LilyMoon – oh my Lord! That is not what i was wanting to hear. (sound familiar? lol) i’m hoping that my son, if he does end up going, will have the sense to keep himself in safe situations. he’s a very disciplined person and doesn’t drink or tend to go out late at night (as far as i know - lol - though if this is happening i don’t have any real problem with it because he’s in college). i don’t think that the program organizers would necessarily be very intimidating to Russian neo-Nazis. </p>

<p>dudecollege – in my limited perspective i can’t help but feel that that’s a bit overstated - a “majority” have been killed? And that Russia is as dangerous for my son as Mississippi in that respect? i’m not buying it… </p>

<p>sigh. oh the crosses we bear for our children. </p>

<p>Edit: sorry, dudecollege, i totally misread your post! you said a majority have <em>not</em> been killed. Sorry for that! I was really puzzled, lol.</p>

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<p>Maybe he could go to Brighton Beach if he wants to practice the language? :)</p>

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<p>lingmomNY, I can ask your question on popular russian discussion board. I assume your son’s russian is fluent enough to read. Let me know.</p>

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<p>Even in Vienna, where my son was studying abroad last fall, one of his fellow program members who is a person of color was apparently not treated very well, on a number of occasions, by people who live there. (No violence, but he was sometimes treated with rudeness and unfriendliness, and “go back to the Middle East”-type attitudes, by shopkeepers, people in restaurants, etc., from what I was told – very different from how white kids were treated, and from what he was used to in the U.S.) </p>

<p>Lingmom, I completely understand your concerns. If I were you, I’m not sure I could bring myself to allow it. I was a little worried myself about sending my son to Vienna because of potential anti-Semitism (I think I even posted about it here), but that turned out not to be a problem at all. Perhaps, at least in part, because people generally assumed that he was Austrian or German. It seems that he doesn’t “look” American, and people there don’t necessarily think about the possibility that someone might be Jewish. Not anymore, anyway. And not that anyone he told about his background was hostile in any way. (Not counting the guy he met and went out with once, a graduate student there, who confided to him at the end of the evening that his grandfather’s brother was a guard at Auschwitz. Oy.)</p>

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<p>Does anyone know how safe it is in Volograd (formerly Stalingrad)? My d is being interviewed for a fellowship for study abroad, one of the possibilities is placement in Russia. Can’t find out much about the program. Any experience with this part of Russia as far as safety goes?</p>

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Russian social environment is very pleasant and safe for students just like European environment. The street crime rate is less than 1% that exhibits that security is high in Russia.

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