The Differences Between Russian and American Students

For the program I am involved in through SUNY, everyone in the group had to take a mandatory Russian Studies Seminar Class.  In this class we had many different lectures involved in Russian culture on topics such as: history, politics, literature, architecture, music, and film.  The first part of our grade for this class was to do the architecture project where we worked with Russian students and created a presentation on a specific aspect of Russian architecture in Moscow. I believe I talked about this in an earlier posting where you'll be able to read about and see some pretty pictures!  For our final grade in this class, we went to Vladimir and met Russian students.  Little did we know that we had to do another project with them. I made good friends with one of them, her name is Natalia. She is your typical Russian girl, very beautiful, smart, and not afraid to give her opinion. Tatyana, the professor who took us to Vladimir, saw that we were getting along and paired us up for the project. Natalia and I decided to write a paper on the differences between Russian and American students. I was so surprised to hear about all the differences between our education, and so many other things.

We decided to meet up in restaurant called Шоколад - I mean who would NOT want to go to a restaurant called Chocolate? We ordered chocolate fruit fondue, чай (tea), and got to work!

So I present to you our final paper.

Stephanie & Natalia

Cross-Cultural Communication Project 2011

The Image of Typical Students in the USA and Russia

            In the age of globalization we have the opportunity to travel and communicate internationally.  It’s possible to get an internship abroad or study at a foreign university.  We can develop our cross-cultural knowledge and enhance the command of the languages while making new friends.  As a vivid example we have students from American universities who are studying abroad here in Russia for the semester. We traveled together to Vladimir where we got to know each other and share our impressions of the two countries.  We have decided to take a closer look at the image of typical students in America versus Russia. The following points will be covered: education, free time, clothing, language.

            We’d like to begin with comparing the education in Russia and America. In the USA students  tend to move out from their parent’s house at the age of 17-18 in order to go to college whether that be in a dormitory or an apartment. At the same time in Russia the majority of students choose a university near their parent’s house and move out later. Of course some choose to go to a bigger city in order to go to a university. As we see it’s quite different from the USA, students try to be more independent and start their own lives. While the students in the USA live on their own it’s necessary for them to get a part-time job from the very beginning.  A typical Russian student will wait for a job until the last year at their university, or even after education, they would start their job search.  In this situation the following observation can be made that in the USA the tradition of student loans is common, however in Russia, students rely on their parent’s income.

            Speaking about the organization of classes that students enroll in can be very different. For example, in American universities, students are free to choose their classes which include what time, day, and specific subjects. Students can choose to have their classes two to four days a week which can be in the morning or in the evening.  Classes can last from 50 minutes to 3 hours. This doesn’t mean that students have complete freedom, because they have to stay within the frames of a degree. They will also find themselves enrolling in classes that they don’t want due to a specific state’s regulation on education.  For example if you get your education in one state, when you choose to work in another state, they may require you to take extra credits.  Whereas in universities in Russia, students have a set time table of usually five days a week from 9-4pm. Saturdays can be a studying day too.  There is usually no long 1 hour break, but only 15-20 minute breaks in between.  There are mostly lectures and seminars, where students take notes, and when it comes time for exams, students recite the lecture.  For a seminar students interact which includes: questions and discussion. 

            In American universities, exams are quite different. These exams include multiple choice and essay form.  Multiple choice exams will have around 50-100 questions, and students have the entire class time to take them.  Most multiple choice exams are done by Scantron which allows the professor to put the exam in a machine to grade them. Essay form exams can be short answer or a full 2 to 3 pages.

            Students sit two at a table which can be a symbol of collectivism which is widely spread in Russia as a way of life. Whereas in America the situation is different. You sit usually at your own desk which a symbol of individualism. You have to meet many new people while studying because you don’t have a ‘group’ like you would in the Russian tradition.  It can be concluded that there is no 100% certainity that you will be friends with the people you have class with in the USA. At the same time in Russia, your group mates will become your close friends, and you will spend lots of time with them outside the classroom.

            Now let us turn to entertainment and free time. All students are the same and like to have fun and hang out. There is not big difference in this part of student life. We all love going to the movies, eat junk-food, sleepovers, and clubs and bars. Usually after classes we go out for lunch or dinner.

            Due to living conditions, Americans have parties in their houses and dormitories with their friends usually once a week and play board games.  Whereas in Russia they also have parties but not as often, because they live with family and don’t have much space in a flat.  However, Russians go together to a friend’s country house where they eat,  make foods like shaslik, drink, and play games like Twister and Monopoly.

            Russian students typically use public transportation, because it is faster and cheaper.  In the USA, it’s impossible to move around without a car. Public transportation in the US is not that popular, and with that said most teenagers in America have their own car.

            When speaking about clothing, we see some radical differences. Students pay a lot of attention to their appearance in Russia, that includes: hair style, heavy makeup, neat and classy clothes, high heels for girls, and suits for boys, and girls carry purses no backpacks.  Whereas in the USA students like to be comfortable, and some students will go as far as to wear their pajamas to class, wear little makeup, and it is not uncommon for students to carry a backpack or large purses.  American students usually wear sneakers, and flip flops.  However, when students go out to bars or clubs, they will get dressed up like Russians do.

            Due to financial problems, American students go to outlet stores like TJ Max, where it is possible to get name brand items at a reasonable price.  Russian students also like name brands, but not many can afford them, however everyone tries to get something from a name brand.  Status plays a role in both cultures, however in Russia it plays a greater role.  There is a Russian saying that people judge you how you dress and say good bye to you by your personality.  We can point out that both cultures have a gadget competition where everyone wants to own, for example, an iphone, and then later the ipad.

            The next topic is language informal versus formal among the students.  Among both Russian and American students, language is seen as informal and is a lower register of speech.  This includes, slang, abbrievations, swear words, and highly informal speech. When it comes to texting and facebook or other social networks, language is very informal and we use symbols to replace words, for example «Meet u @ 4» and  лекция=лечка, преподаватель=препод, Университет=универ, факультет=фак.***

            When speaking to professors, we use formal language and ‘vi’.  It is still possible to contact a professor at anytime at the faculty, send an email, or call during the weekend.  Whereas in the US, it is necessary to make an appointment with the professor or drop by during office hours.  Most students if they cannot make office hours simply send an email and wait to hear back.

            In our world of growing global communication, we can draw upon many opportunities that allow us to travel abroad and improve our language skills. We were given such an opportunity that allowed Russian students to work with American students, on a trip to Vladimir.  While there, and being able to learn about one another, we were able to make certain conclusions about students from both countries.  Whether we are from America or Russia, there are a lot of cultural differences when it comes to education, clothing, and some aspects of our free time.  In the end, it all boils down to the fact that we are young adults trying to get by in this technologically advancing world, where we really are not that different from one another.

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лекция=лечка (lecture), преподаватель=препод (professor), Университет=универ (university), факультет=фак (faculty - refers to the building where classes are held)