It is an incredibly exciting time to be in Russia. Teaching at the American Home allows one to observe these changes firsthand. This year's financial crisis, while certainly not a pleasant reality, has made working here particularly interesting. The fact that people who haven't received a paycheck or pension in months, yet somehow manage to survive, clearly demonstrates the incredible nature of Russian life. In addition to the cultural, social, economic, and historical education that one can receive in Vladimir, the chance to greatly improve one's Russian is another major benefit.
Teachers work along side a Russian staff and live with Russian host families.
This informal language training is complemented by three hours a week of lessons with private tutors. It is impossible to walk away from this experience without a noticeable improvement in one's language ability. All in all, the American Home provides a program that benefits both the students and the teachers. Such a situation is difficult to find these days in Russia. It is a program in which everyone wins.