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Has anyone here gone and worked in Russia or any other FSU country.
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Posted by: OzGuyLooking

Hi.

Really don't know if this is the appropriate spot for this thread so please move it if you wish.

I want to ask a question about the possibility of working in Russia. I will eventually go to Russia and visit a lady, I think I have located a lady who could be worth visiting as we seem to be getting along really well. Although it is early days yet I am the type who likes to have an idea of what I am doing mapped out in advance, it helps so that when the opportunity comes there isn't a mad rush trying to get everything ready.

Anyway my thoughts on this are that when I have done my honours year at uni, I will need to do a research masters and also work at the same time. I know which Uni in Australia I will be applying to do my master through, I have spoken to the proffesors and all about it, but I will need a contact in another country (FSU) as a supervisor. My feelings are I would like to do my masters through one of the unis in ther FSU, it will have to accept foriegn students as I will obviously be a forigner, and it will also have to have an Anthropology course (this is the area of work I am doing at uni). I have found Russia at least, I haven't checked the other FSU countries Unis yet, has a rich Anthropology base in many unis so that doesn't seem to be a problem and it isn't something I am concerned about. Actually I like the idea of Kazan State Uni as it has a brilliant looking Anthropology department.

What I am concerned about is the fact that I will also need some form of employment. Ok, my qualifications, I am a High School Teacher, I am also a qualified motor mechanic, apart from this I am pretty much a Jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none sort of guy as I have done alot of different things. Ideally I would love to stay in teaching, I am willing to do meahcnical work as a last resort if I need to, the prob is I would need somewhat flexible hours or hours which will allow me to attend the university on a regular basis so I would be able to work on my masters and have regualr discussions with whoever is my supervisor.

Now to my questions? What is the Russian authorities or any FSU countries authorities stance on foriegners coming over and working in their country. What types of things would I need to look out for say for example Tax? Is there a department in the FSU countries to get in touch with concerning these questions and the best way to deal with them?

BTW the lady I am currently in contact with is in Ekaterinburg. Yes I know it is a long way from Kazan, I would do it through a uni in Ekaterinberg if she becomes the reason for my visit, which I am hoping is the case. The uni is neither here nor there in this equation apart from the course availability.

I guess I am asking for pointers as how to start going about this as I do not want at all to be a drain on anyone in Russia, I will have enough money saved already but I want to make my own keep while I am there and also it will allow me to see how the people live their daily lives from their perspective.

She just emailed me

woohoo.

Any helpo will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
OZZIE

Posted by: searcher

Wait until Jill, one of our moderators, returns to the forum. She is away temporarly.

She is an AW who has lived and worked in many FSU countries for more than 10 years. She presently resides in Armenia has has live and worked in Ukraine and Russia too.

She is fluent in Russian.

(

Edited because inlove pointed out my rather obvious goof!)

LOL, Sorry Jill

Posted by: inlove

Quote:

Originally Posted by searcher

She is an AM who has lived and worked in many FSU countries for more than 10 years.

She is not AM.

She is AW.

Posted by: Rvrwind

Quote:

She is not AM.

She is AW.

Too Funny but truthful, LOL.
Hi OzGuy...
I am Canadian man living & working in Russia. Not far from Moscow. I have been here for 2+ years & enjoy it emensly. Finding work here is not easy if you don't speak Russian, thats the downside. That being said I have a friend in SPB who has been here for 3 years & works as an English Teacher & speaks minimal Russian.
From my perspective that is your best shot at success if you don't speak fluent Russian, get an ESL course under your belt, you can take it over the internet, then advertise wanting to come here to teach English. They could sure use more decent English teachers. As you are already a teacher obtaining your ESL certificate should be easy.
Myself I work as a Newspaper Editor Translating Russian articles for English readers. Pretty good pay but crappy hours. As a teacher you likely won't make near what I do, but you will make a living & have some spending cash if you don't over indulge in extra ciricular activities.
As to your question of taxes etc. well we don't pay any. we get paid cash on the sly you might say. To work legally you would have to obtain permission from imigration to work & then of course you would pay taxes. Permission to work is rarely granted because you would be taking a job from a local & that they won't go for. In my case a local can't do my job so I am safe but why pay taxes if I don't have to. My day job with my company, I pay taxes but I keep my income so low they are minimal.
Work is only your secondary problem, Visa is your big problem dealing with Russia. My employer provides mine & even pays for it, one year at a time so I got a good thing going that I ain't about to give up. In fact they are renewing it as I write this, I don't even have to leave the country anymore to renew my Visas but that too has its downside, because if I do want to leave say on a short holiday I must apply for an exit/re-entry Visa.
Lots of things to consider & if you require any more info, please feel free to ask.

Posted by: OzGuyLooking

Thanks Searcher, Inlove and Rvrwind.

Now that my uni studies are over I have some time on my hands to consider some options. I think I will PM some ppl, get ready Rvrwind, to find out some more in depth info.

Thanks again.
Michael. (Ozzie)

Posted by: Jill

Hi Ozzie,

As Searcher said, I have worked in Russia, Urkaine, and Armenia so I can tell you that it is possible to do (I have also studied at universities in Russia and Lithuania). In terms of working in the FSU, the hardest part is to find an opening. Likely, as a foreignor, you will need to work in a foreign company. Not many FSU companies will want the hassle of a foreignor (language reasons, also they will need to sponsor your work visa, etc), nor will they be able to afford to pay a foreignor a salary agreeable to him/her. There may be exceptions, but few and far between. So, as I said, your best bet is working for a foreign company or organization--in your case, preferably Australian. Do you know of any Australian businesses with branch offices in Russia? That would be the best place to start. You will need a work visa (which will be sponsored by your employer); as for taxes, it depends. I work for a US organization and am subject to US taxes (however, the US gives a tax break for foreign earned income, so although I file my taxes each year, I don't actually owe anything). I don't pay any local taxes. You will need to look into the tax issue once you determine who your employer will be (Russian, Australian, etc).

I agree with Rvrwind--your best bet is likely something language-related. Teaching English, for example. If you meet some minimum qualifications, you can teach at a school or, if you just want to make some pocket money, you can tutor on your own (just place an ad in a local paper, for example--many people would jump at the opportunity to learn with a native speaker). You won't get rich by any means, but you should be able to make ends meet.

Posted by: Jutman

Hi
There is some international online job agencies, just try it. But a general rule I would say its for managers, engineers and computers personal there has the biggest chance.

Posted by: Moneer81

Jutman,

can you elaborate on your last post? I am a student majoring in Physics and probably double majoring in Electrical Engineering. I have a Russian citizenship and speak intermediate Russian but I believe I can become fluent in Russian easily. I am curious on how my US education would help and if it would be wiser to get my engineering degree from the US or Russia? any feedback would be appreciated.

Posted by: Jutman

Hi
take the degree in US.

many jobs will be for for western companies who establish themselves i Russia. I don't how frequent it happen for american companies, but a lor of europeans does.
As a engineer who speak fluent english and russian its a good at your curriculum. You will work at a 'bridge' between the two types of organisations.

However many times they ask for minimum 5 years of experience.