When in a foreign country, people tend to seek out an environment in which they can speak their native language. And this is natural, as the familiar is comforting and the sound of one’s native speech is perhaps one of the familiar sounds of all.

Curiously, many foreigners who have lived for a time in Russia are often inclined to seek communication with Russian speakers. And this is usually not for the sake of brushing up on their Russian skills but rather for other reasons that few of them can really explain. I have on multiple occasions met foreigners who take the word “Russian” to mean one of their own, like a code word of sorts.

As the saying goes, “Russia cannot be understood by the mind…” [«умом Россию не понять, аршином общим не измерить, у ней особенная стать...»]. But you can imagine my surprise when I discovered tattooed on the arm of my British friend Tom the end of that saying: “You can only believe in Russia” [«в Россию можно только верить»]. He spent a year living in St. Petersburg and then returned to England, and now with the tattoo, which is inscribed in rather large letters from palm to elbow, Tom has a constant reminder of his eternal quest for the Russian spirit.

People go to great lengths to find and united with their likeminded peers, organizing clubs, thematic groups and events. Student groups play an important role. The system of societies is rather well developed (for example, there are over 500 at Oxford), and Russian student clubs as well as clubs for those interested in Russian culture can be found at practically any university. The clubs are usually involved in organizing career related events and informal meetings. This sort of activity has proven it merits, as it matches the needs of Russian-language students in Britain. However, some societies go even further and organize cultural events: trips to the theater, showings of Russian films, cultural exchange meetings, etc. For example, University College London offers Russian language classes where the students learn about much more than grammar from language textbooks, as the teachers are ordinary students of the university who are inclined to share much more. At this improvised school there have been lessons on Russian slang, folk tales, the role of Pushkin in Russian literature, and much more. Even Russian karaoke parties have been organized here. One of the frequent guests of the school explained his interest as follows: “I can’t sing, as my Russian language skills are not that great. But I come here to listen to spoken Russian and hang out with the guys. I like the atmosphere – everyone is singing and laughing. And the Russian girls are quite pretty.”

The Russian society at King’s College London holds showings of Russian films with English subtitles. Here they have already shown such masterpieces as The Diamond Arm, and Ivan Vasilievich Changes Professions. “Next year we plan to shift to contemporary films, and we are thinking about showing The Admiral. Following the showings of Soviet comedies we heard quite a few compliments about Russian humor. It was flattering to hear such remarks,” said one of the organizers.

It’s nice to see how today’s young people who have left their homeland and become immersed in another culture continue to love and value their cultural heritage. However, the question arises: what next?

Many of them will remain here for good. Having received a prestigious education, a whole world of opportunities is opened for them. And having seen other countries and compared their experiences there with their memories of Russia, people often come to the conclusion that their home is not in their homeland. And what can say? Everyone has the right to make such a choice.

Taking Breather from the “System”

After people remove themselves from the Russian system for a time, they find it difficult to assimilate back into the system. I have experiences this myself. Not too long ago my purse was stolen and together with it my documents, including my passport. And of course, I needed to immediately get them replaced. It was clear that even such an important document as my passport would be easier replaced through the embassy abroad than back home, as the number bureaucratic loops is much lower. And many of the necessary documents for this procedure might not be accepted back home. For example, papers from the British police or universities would naturally not be filled out according to Russian standards. I could just imagine what kind of looks I would get from the sweet ladies at the local passport office in Russia. And yet in this kind of environment they talk about “creating all the necessary conditions for returning young specialists who received their education abroad back to Russia.”

Of course, this isn’t the complete picture. Many decide to remain abroad because they like the opportunity to travel and the wide variety of opportunities that a good education and knowledge of foreign languages brings. I know quite a few people who could be called “citizens of the world.” They were born in one country, studied in a second and work in a third, and they strive to further increase the number of stamps in their passports.

Here is one simple example. My acquaintance Yulia left Perm at 14, studied in Great Britain for three years and then headed of Malaysia for a couple years after which she intends to continue her studies in the United States. And she doesn’t change her residency because she doesn’t like the country where she is living; there are just some people who get a high from being on the road and are inspired to change locations. And often it is just such people that find it easy to make contact with “Russia Abroad”. “Russia Abroad” is a sort of reconstruction of one’s historic Russian community from the motherland. In some places it is developed to such an extent that people can live for years outside Russia and never really learn the language of their adoptive country.

At the same time, there are those who leave their native country and strive to assimilate into various cultures and keep their distance from Russian groups. In the best case scenario, these people will remember their native language and in part instill part of Russian culture in their children. In the worst case, one more light on the rainbow-colored garland of Russian culture fades away, which is of course a pity.

“Why do I need a parody of the Silicon Valley?”

Perhaps some would like to return, but the road back is already closed. For example, I know a young talented lady named Svetlana who is studying biochemistry at a prestigious university. When I asked her whether she would return to Russia, she quite frankly said that with her degree their nothing for her to do in Russia. Despite the efforts by the Russian government to invest in science, we all understand that Moscow wasn’t built in one day. It will take more than one decade for Skolkovo to reach the level of the Silicon Valley. And in general young people tend to be skeptical of the Skolkovo project. The idea is a good one, but it will take too much time to bring to life. And no one wants to return to this uncertainty. As Andrei, a young engineer, said: “Let them build something first, and then I will give it some thought regarding whether it is worth the risk. For now I am more attracted by the possibility of working in America with a world-renowned company. Why do I need a parody of the Silicon Valley if I can work in the real one? It’s a rather pleasant feeling to open a list of the best employers in the world, read their names and realize that I can work there if I really want to and strive to do so. That is quite motivating!”

However, we keep in mind that in Russia it is easier to make it big in a relatively short time, and climbing the career ladder is easier in a Russian company. Competition for prestigious jobs varies dramatically from country to country. Having received a degree with average grades at a mid-tier British university, graduates sometimes must compete with hundreds of applicants for a single position, and it is quite difficult to stand out from the masses. Russian employers, on the other hand, show enormous interest in candidates with degrees from British universities. Having employees with Western university degrees or MBAs is considered quite prestigious. At least that’s what I have been told by those who return to build their career in Russia. For example, my acquaintance Artem after graduation spent nearly a year in search of a job before returning to Russia. “The crisis hit companies in every country. And when I started looking for a job most companies were in the process of firing and not hiring. However, upon returning to Russia I was invited to one interview after another. I was a little taken aback by this interest in me,” he says. After working in a company for about half a year, Artem decided to start his own business. “Of course it was a little bit frightening to start a business given the economic situation, but opening during the time of crisis is a good idea and often employed in the West. And over the years I have accumulated good ties and acquaintances in other countries. This is very useful both in terms of personal development and career growth. It is easier to find partners and opportunities for expansion.”

On the other hand, there is no guarantee that a company or the country as a whole will remain stable. While it is easier to make a career rather quickly in Russia, the higher up climb the further you can fall. Having grown weary of economic instability, many follow the principle of “better slow and steady” and do not return to Russia. And the political situation in Russia from abroad seems too confusing and frightening for young and fervent minds. And it’s difficult to say exactly why this is: either Western media try to show Russia in an unbecoming light or things seems clearer from afar – or a little of both. But the fact remains, stories about businessmen crushed by the “wheels of justice,” corporate raiding and other such provocations do not help.

Some left Russia with the intention of returning. Among Russian businessmen it has become fashionable to send their children abroad. It’s viewed as something of an investment in the future, and following their studied the children can return to take part in the family business. And if they appropriately take advantage of such opportunities, they can provide a new modern face to Russian business upon returning. And the country will gain a few more well educated top managers.

“Screw it! Let’s do it!”

However there are some people who return not because their family business is waiting for them. These are people who left to study in order to discover other ideas, knowledge and experience and then return in order to make a difference in their own country. These are people that strive to change the environment wherever they are, whether it be in their historic homeland or in the country where they are studying.

For example, in Great Britain they try to teach the local about Russian culture in they take great pride and organize noteworthy events for compatriots abroad. These are the head of societies and organizers of new companies – people who follow Richard Branson’s slogan “Screw it! Let’s do it!” not just in business but in life as well. These are people who could only arise out of a mix of Russian spirituality, European mentality and an original view on life.

Of course, when young people are confronted with the decision of whether to stay or leave, a number of factors play a role: the economic climate, family situation, politics, etc. However, one would hope that a deciding factor would be: “That’s my Motherland and people speak Russian there.”

The Intellectual Elite of Russian-Speaking London

The UCL Russian Society is one of the most active Russian student groups in Great Britain. After being dissolved due to disagreements among the organizers, it was re-established in 2007 by Alina Yakubova, who has been the group’s president for the past two years. According to official information, the society has approximately 800 members, but much fewer show up for meetings. The variety of events organized by the society is quite wide, from paintball wars to business meetings with employers in the Citi. There have been attempts to pull together the intellectual elite of Russian-speaking London through the organization of trip to Russian theatrical showings and Tchaikovsky concerts. And they don’t forget about the locals – there are classes for improving one’s Russian skills as well as open celebrations of Maslenitsa at the university. 

A Mix of Pleasure and Business
 
At the London School of Economics there are two Russian societies – the LSE Russian Society and the LSE Russian Business Society. At the beginning there was only one organization, but it was split up due to a parting of minds among the organizers: some were mainly interested in organizing entertainment events while others wanted to focus on career forums. Presently, the LSE Russian Society focuses on organizing evening get-togethers, outings to clubs and other such events that are aimed at helping Russian-speaking Londoners get to know one another. The LSE Russian Business Society has made a name for itself as the organizer of the Russian Business Week, an economic forum with such well known guests as the head of Troika Dialog Ruben Vardanian. The event is attended not only by students but also by young professionals. The group also actively engages potential employers both in London and in Russia.

“It’s not only about the dividends”

Alexei is 20 years old and a student at UCL studying mathematical economic models: “When I left for England it was important for me, regardless of how audacious this might sound, to change the attitude toward Russia. I simply wanted to show another side of my country and breakdown the engrained Western stereotypes. To put it simply, I wanted to show that Russia is not simply vodka and bears. This began in college when I came here following graduation from high school. I was able to quickly show my merits thanks to sports: I was a professional swimmer. After several weeks of study I took third place at a major university championship, and I was congratulated by the entire student body. After that it became clear that I see myself as a Russian who wants to and can achieve high results in the West. 

I always wanted to prove that Russia is a very promising country from the economic perspective. And I made a presentation to students and teachers about the Soviet Union and Russia, where economic indicators where compared (this was before the crisis when GDP was growing at 8-10%) and promising business areas discussed. There was also a review and analysis of the authoritarian regime of the USSR. People really found it quite interesting – I caught their attention and had an impact.

Right now I have quite a few interesting projects in the works which will allow me to give Western students a complete and colorful picture of Russia. For example, we are preparing to hold a creative competition for those who study Russian as a foreign language. I think that relations with Russia need to be changed on the level of personal relations. This is much more important that pompous words. Usually in any group of people where I am the only Russian, I immediately start to get a lot of questions. One needs to understand that in such situations you play a role in formulating people’s opinion of Russia. This creates the opportunity to arose your companion’s interest and not allow him to fall back on stereotypes.

After finishing my studies I would like to return to Russia. This is my motherland and I do not want to leave it, this is where everything began and I have lived almost my entire life there. On the other hand, having spent so many years in the West and having grown accustomed another system of values, I have begun to perceive the world differently. Here there is the allure of stability, although in Russia life is of course much more interesting. There are more opportunities to realize oneself, but it is more complicated and risky. And not everyone is willing to do this. But if you do decide to, the dividends can be very rewarding. Nonetheless, the dividends are not the only thing. Your motherland is your motherland. And of course it is true that much depends on one’s personal life. One’s understanding of what a family is also plays an important role, at least for me. We will all need to make this decision. Some will stay and some will return – there is no right answer. I have already decided for myself that I want to return.”