Christmas spirit during an internship abroad: Two students report from Russia and Hungary

How are you currently doing in your internship?

Life in Moscow is wonderful. The Russian infrastructure in the capital is far superior to anything I've ever experienced. For example, the internet here has already been upgraded to 5G everywhere, and I have a 300 Mbit line in my flat. Delivery services, including food delivery, come for around €2 above the normal price and deliver everything to your doorstep within 1 hour. I have never waited longer than 4 minutes for a taxi in Moscow, although I rarely use it as the underground is very well developed. What is remarkable is that there is a train every 90 seconds, by that I mean every 90 seconds in every station - in every direction - and every 30 seconds during rush hour. Logistics like this are unrivalled.

Were you worried about doing your internship in Russia because of coronavirus?

Yes, I had concerns about coronavirus, but only about travelling there. I booked a slightly more expensive flat so that I would be more comfortable if the worst came to the worst. We had a 10-day lockdown in Moscow, where I had to work from home.

Have you been able to get to know the country, the people and the culture?

Yes, I already had friends in Moscow who had previously studied at FH Burgenland. As a result, I made friends very quickly and was able to explore large areas of the city with them.

Are you already in the Christmas spirit?

Yes, there are decorations everywhere and ice rinks and Christmas markets have been set up in all the larger public squares, including Red Square. I will be spending most of the Advent season with friends in Moscow. My parents and friends from Austria will be visiting me and exploring Moscow with me. There is Christmas spirit everywhere and as my parents and friends will be coming, we will also be celebrating in a small group here in Moscow.

What do you hope to achieve with your chosen language in the future?

Based on my current experiences, I would like to find a job in Moscow and live in Russia for the long term. Languages are the gateway to the world. Of course, languages are a focus at the FH Burgenland and are also emphasised. Basically, every student should be able to speak their mother tongue and English at the highest level in order to be able to work internationally. Any other language opens up new opportunities.

How easy/difficult was it for you to learn the CEE language?

I had no previous knowledge. We have TOP professors at the FH Burgenland. However, I am of the opinion that anyone who does not actively study the language in addition to their lessons will not master it.

Is a work placement a good way to improve your language skills?

YES! You are in a country where they speak your chosen language, so you automatically learn the language better, even if only by listening.

How well can you use your chosen language in the company where you are doing your internship?

Only Russian is spoken in my company, nobody speaks English or German. Simple tasks and planning are no longer a problem and otherwise the Google translator is consulted.

How do you help yourself if you don't understand everything in the language or can't remember certain words?

Google Translate and Russian-German phrasebooks are real helpers for everyday life.

Do you have any tips for anyone who would like to learn a CEE language?

Think about the language carefully, as you will be learning it throughout your entire time at university. To learn a language, I would recommend YouTube channels such as "Easy Russian" in my case. By listening to the language with subtitles, you get a good feel for the intonation and meaning. I would take a sober approach to learning the language: you won't become an interpreter during your studies, but you will be taught the basics of communication very well. You should also try to make contacts in the country of your choice! I now have many friends in Moscow, which makes learning and exploring a new city/country much easier!

What are your (professional) plans for the future and how will your chosen CEE language help you?

From today's perspective, I would like to find a job in Moscow. The city suits me very well and the friendliness of the people is impressive. The infrastructure should not be overlooked, for example, there is a metro every 90 seconds and in every station, in every direction, as already mentioned. Apart from that, I will try to gain an international foothold with my focus on Russia.

How are you currently doing in your work placement?

I've been working here for more than six months now. Because of Covid, I was able to start my internship in April and continue studying remotely. What I really miss are the personal contacts. All meetings are held online due to the international nature of the company. But: my tasks are very exciting and I've learnt a lot so far. The corporate culture was completely new to me, as I had no previous experience of working in multinational companies. The team really sticks together and in the summer we did a lot of things together and I met a lot of new people and made new friends. Unfortunately, I can't improve my Croatian here, but my English skills help me a lot as there are a lot of nationalities in the company. In some departments, English is the preferred official language. Meetings are often held in German or bilingually.

What are your (professional) plans for the future and how does your chosen CEE language help you?

I would like to continue my studies and find a job in purchasing or logistics. I don't have a 100% plan for my future, but I definitely want to improve my Croatian language skills to B2 level. The more languages you know, the more opportunities you have in life.

Are you already in the Christmas spirit?

Yes, the Christmas market in Győr opened on 1 Advent and I was there almost every evening. It's atmospheric to meet up with friends there and drink a mug of mulled wine or eat a freshly baked Baumkuchen in the snowfall. The lights on the streets sparkle and the shops are decorated. In shopping centres, all you can hear are Christmas carols.

What can you expect in this country at Christmas time? How do the locals celebrate Advent and Christmas?

We (note: Judit is Hungarian) spend most of this month with family and friends. Life slows down before Christmas. Fundraising campaigns are very popular at this time and there is a lot of solidarity. Love and peace take centre stage. There are not so many traditional Advent customs in Hungary, as I have noticed. Most people find their Christmas spirit in decorations and lights.

Do you have any plans for Christmas?

We always have a big party on Christmas Eve with the whole family. The children go home for a few days and spend time together with their parents. For the last 4-5 years, our festivities have expanded and become more international. The parents of my cousin's girlfriend also come from Russia to visit us. We always divide up who does what and who cooks. Over the last few years, we have learnt a lot about their culture. We no longer eat our traditional Hungarian dishes such as stuffed cabbage and turkey with corn salad, but we always have a typical Russian speciality on the table. We sing next to the Christmas tree and always play parlour games. It's really special for us when everyone gets together, as we all live far away. We are not religious, but Christmas is always full of little miracles. We always look forward to Christmas.