LEARN RUSSIAN AND BE A PART OF A POLAR EXPEDITION! 

International kite-race in Karelia

Do you know what Russian region holds the 4^th position on the list of most popular places to travel? Karelia. Every year more than 2 million tourists visit the Republic with the unique nature, unbelievable sunsets and ideal-for-meditation atmosphere. It is slowly becoming the land of cultural festivals and events for Karelian people to honor their ancestors’ traditions. Moreover Karelia has always been famous for extreme sports and spectacular activities such as annual rally competition, water freestyle, rafting, hunters’ traditional festival and many others. All the Russian language learners who are somehow into sports should definitely visit Karelia this spring.  From 6 till 10 of March on the shore of lake Onego the International winter kite-marathon TOKE (Trans-Onego Kite Enduro) is going to take place. 3 days of ice, snow and wind

9 countries are to compete on the second largest lake in Europe

Sportsmen from Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Romania and Russia take part in this competition annually since 2012. They say the race on the second largest lake in the European continent is very similar to a survival challenge. The competitors (each team consists of 2 people) have to leave like real scouts: build their own campfire, pitch a tent and stay outdoors for two nights. It is an incredible polar expedition.  The teams sale through the route and navigate through the checkpoints led by their groups leaders. The route covers 350 km around the most remarkable places of Onego including the stop near the world famous Kizhi islands.
The organizers never forget about the colorful opening of the contest with local food, traditional gamesn and performances to provide the participants with the inspiration to a great race.

You still have time to register to the event or to come as a participant! Join Enjoy Russian language school on March 5 and have a great time full of new emotions! (Sign up for a course here)

3 MONTHS IN RUSSIA. HOW WAS IT LIKE?

Students about long term Russian language course in Petrozavodsk

Enjoy Russian language school seems to be a place for making a sitcom! An international one of course, because the students come to Petrozavodsk from Singapore and China, the USA and Romania, Germany and India and from almost all the corners of the Earth. Guys find themselves not only totally immersed into the Russian language but also visit all the cultural events, meet hospitable Russians, explore the city of Petrozavodsk and travel around Karelia. From September till the end of November we hosted a group of students brave enough to stay in Russia for three months and to attend long-term Russian language course.

Did you like Russian language course with native speaking teachers? Share your results!

• I came knowing nothing almost and I am leaving with a lot of knowledge. Time will tell how well I may have done!
• I really enjoyed the program and felt that it really helped my language skills. Teachers used the variety of different methods which kept lessons interesting.
• The teacher made a very good job  and showed sincere interest in the needs of every single student!

How did you like the content of the cultural program?

• I found heaps of culture in the 3 months I have beem in Petrozavodsk. Concerts, museums, dance classes, as well as visits to Kizhi and Kivach waterfall.

What about Enjoy Russian school volunteers?

• The volunteers have been excellent. Their standard of English is outstanding!
• They were amazing and really helpful! I think I have made good friends!

Russian homestay. Did you feel comfortable with your Russian family?

• The host family were very helpful and nice and it was great living with them. I felt very at home with them and they made an effort to talk with me and make me feel welcome!

Anything to add?

• I really enjoyed the program and felt that it really helped my language skills. Everyone is really nice, the classes are small and you really get a chance to learn but also feel at home.
• I enjoyed everything! I will definitely recommend the school to other students.

If you want to have your own unique experience af living like a real Russian, choose our long-term Russian language course and come for the brightest memories!

Let's learn how to talk about winter in Russian!

Dear friends! Today is the 1^st of December which means winter has officially come! To be honest here in Petrozavodsk we started wearing warm scarves and cold weather caps (not ushankas!)  2-3 weeks ago but sometimes one does not notice winter around until it’s December! Do you want to see how happy we are? Watch the video!

KEEP CALM AND LOVE SNOW!

International annual contest of ice and snow sculptures in Petrozavodsk

While looking for a perfect Russian language course in Russia we pay attention not only to professionalism of Russian tutors but also to the eventful and interesting life of the Russian city we are going to stay. In February Karelian city of Petrozavodsk becomes the cultural and international center which gathers together people from the whole Republic and different countries. Traditional Russian and Karelian songs and dance styles, sport competitions, exhibitions and workshops – that is how the Contest of Hyperborea gained its’ popularity. Joining this colorful event makes learning Russian in Petrozavodsk thrilling, mysterious and wonderful!

Blowing off the snowflakes from Karelian legends and Russian history

When Russian people live with snow for that long (in Petrozavodsk – from November till April) they take it as an advantage and become very creative. “Let’s turn the massive snow cubes into masterpieces” they say. More than 100 participants create about 35 great stories and monuments with no regrets that they are in danger of melting. Artists come from Italy, France and Spain, Norway, Finland and Sweden, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Canada and the United States. The fact that some of them are professional sculptor does not play any role, because their material is snow and ice! Participants are given only one week to turn the giant ice/snow cube (there are two nominations and they can choose the material to work with) into the live story and after that the jury and Petrozavodsk citizens decide on the best one.

It is really difficult to decide what impress you more, artists or their masterpieces while you take a walk on the Onego lake embankment in February. The process of creation is so magnificent – you may see here Russian fairy tales’ characters coming to life and you feel the synergy of human being and Mother Nature. You can find here the scenes out of Karelian and Finnish national epic Kalevala, animals, outrageous and surreal characters.

It is like blowing off the snowflakes from legends and history: more time master spends with his creation, the more snow goes away. And every year artists bring to life new and extraordinary ideas.

What keeps people warm in the gloomy Karelian weather?

• To let people of Petrozaavodsk fully enjoy the Festival organizers do their best:
• They cook Fish soup – about 200 liters!
• Arrange Fishermen contest and fire show;
• Invite people of all ages to participate in ice-race called “Ice Onego”;
• Organize workshops and exhibitions, compete in songs singing and outdoor Karelian games

Join Enjoy Russian group course in February  or choose an individual one and you will see (and feel) that Hyperborea is the coolest event ever!