Berita

by Dhana N Kotahatuhaha
In September 7^th until October 24^th of 2012, I was on internship in Omsk, Russia via AIESEC. Why I chose Omsk? Well, actually I’ve never had a plan to choose that country, because I was looking for a project in Germany, but I didn’t get any suitable project for me at that time. Besides that, because that’s one of the easiest names to pronounce and spell out from all the other Russian cities that I know. I had very little knowledge about Omsk prior to my internship and I was surprised how lovely the city was. 

I was sent to work as a teacher (not a real teacher actually), I was teaching English lesson in fun way, I conducted the lessons with some games, playing outdoors, etc in an autumn weather as a part of Project Young & Perspective in a school named School No. 82. I went to school five days in a week because they have two days off on Saturday and Sunday. It was quite challenging to teach children and work with Russian colleagues by having zero knowledge of Russian language. But it is through these challenges that I learned a lot about myself and how to cope up with such adversities.

My internship paved way to showcase my cultural background as an Indonesian (and being the 3^rd intern from Indonesia to be sent to Omsk) through cultural presentations, pot lucks, and long exchange of stories among my students and all the random people I’ve met. I met 30 other interns from different parts of the globe and shared our diverse background. I had the opportunity to get to expand my network, got best friends, and of course new Russian family because I was staying in a very sweet host-family, Dorozhkova family.

My first week when I was there, I couldn’t even say thank you in Russian language (spasiba). I tried to speak, but in the beginning it was really hard because Indonesian or even English have totally different alphabets and pronounciations with Russian. So I always carried my English – Russian conversation book with me wherever I go, for example when I went somewhere and use bus or marshrutka (one of the public transportations in Omsk). But I don’t know why, I didn’t feel any homesick or something because the people I met there were really nice. Although the city was not too beautiful, but the traffic jam rarely occured, everyone preferred to use public transportation, and walking was the most favorite thing I like to do (walking for 40 or 50 minutes was a common thing).   

I spent my time everyday (after school) with lovely interns to explore Omsk. But time was running so fast. 6 weeks felt like only a week, many interns always said “I don’t wanna go back home”, yeah me neither hehe. We were there not only to go to school, but also joined Russian classes in Omsk State Technical University, went to some AIESEC conferences and many else.

In addition, before my flight back to Indonesia, I spent my two days in Moscow with some interns from Omsk and some Russian friends I have who lives in Moscow, and that city was totally great although three times more expensive compared to Omsk!

Here, so many things I want to share about. But I’m pretty sure it would not be enough to write in a page, hehe. The important thing is, I learnt how self-independent means, a bit could speak Russkiy, and “I live my real life”. People always say that “Here is Siberia, nobody knows, nobody cares”, and it’s totally right. Otherwise it doesn’t mean that no one cares about you, but just to mention that you have to do everything you want by your-self!

I honestly never expected that kind of adventure in my life, I just had almost 2 months experience which had included lost times, almost been robed, almost frozen, almost so hot, almost addicted to tea, almost in love, almost heart breaker, almost Russian, and almost teacher, it has been a pleasure for me share that to with those guys that time with all of them.

I can go on and on writing down how life-changing my experience was and it was really one of the best autumns I’ve spent. Don’t be afraid to go abroad alone, by your-self! Take advantage of every opportunity and grab the challenge! (Edwin)

Cпасибо, я действительно люблю Россию J

(Thank you, I really love Russia)