Food & Clothing:

There is a great variety of places to eat in St. Petersburg and a wide range of prices. You can find wonderful authentic Georgian or Ukranian restaurants, Russian restaurants serving the most delicious Russian food at a reasonable price, trendy cafes, and budget fast-food places. A specialty of St. Petersburg is blini — traditional tasty pancakes usually served with a filling (home-made jam, cottage cheese, mushrooms or caviar). You can also try shashlyk (Russian kebabs made with meat and vegetables), Pelmeni (pastry dumplings filled typically with meatballs), and Borshch (beet soup), which is one of the most famous traditional Russian foods. There are also good Indian, Italian, Asian, and African cuisine restaurants. Usually, a meal in a good restaurant costs about $15-$20 per person, but it is also very easy to find more economical places, where one can eat for $5-$10. Many restaurants are open 24 hours.

For those looking for nightlife, there is a wide and excellent selection of great clubs. The city hosts clubs of all genres: rock, pop, jazz, hip hop, R and B, and a lot more.

Whatever the season, it is wise to bring your umbrella and a windproof raincoat or jacket. You should also think carefully about footwear. Depending on the time of year, you will need warm boots with a non-slip sole, waterproof boots or shoes, or comfortable sandals. In winter it can get very cold outside, but hotels and homes are reasonably well heated, which makes it a good idea to dress in layers. In spring it might be chilly at times, but in mid-May it gets warmer. You can wear shorts in summer, although not when you are teaching. Bring a sweater or light jacket for those chilly evenings. You are most likely to use your umbrella in autumn, though a Russian version of an Indian Summer (around mid-September) can be mild and fairly dry.

When teaching, be sure to adhere to the local working culture and basic ideas of professionalism. Business Casual is a safe bet.