Studying in Moscow

I spent three weeks at a summer school in Moscow studying Russian language and politics.

When booking your flights to Moscow, make sure you take a look at low-cost carriers. I flew into Vnukovo which is one of the smaller and more modern airports. I was picked up by someone from the school who only spoke Russian. I tried to make conversation, but he didn't seem very impressed with my basic language skills. I jumped into the car hoping he would take me to my halls of residence.

 

Since Moscow is very spread out and most people live far from the centre I was happy that my halls was only 20 min on the metro from the Red Square.

I got a room close to the top floor, which gave me great view of the inner city on one side and....factories....on the other

 

 

Once in Moscow it is very advisable to use the metro as it is very convenient and cheap (20p for a ride). It's one of the oldest in the world and is itself worth a visit even if you are not a big fan of the 'underground'.

A must see for every visitor in Moscow is the Red Square in the heart of Moscow. Interestingly you won't find anything red there as the old Russian word for beautiful means red in modern Russian. It is indeed a truely beautiful square.

 

 

On one side you will find the magnificant St. Basil's Cathedral. The story goes that it's architect was rendered blind by the Tsar, so he wouldn't be able to build anything like it again.

 

 

 

 

Then you can find GUM on another side, which has a range of luxury shops these days. In Soviet times it used to be one of the only places where Western goods were sold.

 

 

 

 

Lenin's tomb is also to be found on the Red Square and you get in for free (but come early to avoid the queues).

I chose not to go there as Lenin himself wanted to be buried after his death.