The Russian high school students listened eagerly to tips on living in the United States.
Be communicative and polite, keep an open mind when encountering America's diverse forms of worship, and volunteer in your community, like millions of Americans.
"Remember: It's not right, it's not wrong, it's just different," said Natalya Sirchenko, who coordinates student exchange programs for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
Skinny girls, your host parents might think you're not eating enough, cautioned Yelena Fomenko of the American Councils for International Education, a Washington-based NGO that runs the FLEX travel-study program with funding from the U.S. State Department.
Host parents also might ask you to do "man's work" like shoveling snow, said Fomenko, herself a FLEX alumna.
Girls in the room tittered.
The dangers of online social networks were also expounded upon. "You're going to America to learn about American culture. How can you do that when you're constantly talking to your Russian friends on Vkontakte?" Fomenko said.
USA says yes to IELTS
Download your FREE IELTS guide to studying in the USA
Download the full IELTS 2013 US Recognition List here.
90% of TOEFL® test takers get into their 1st or 2nd choice university.
Register today!
Get free test prep and register online for the GRE revised General Test.
Learn More
The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™
Open more doors for your future
CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages
Most U.S. apartments come unfurnished. CORT can provide rental furniture and everything else you need. And we can deliver it before you arrive!
Visiting universities overseas is easy with CollegeWeekLive, the college fair that comes to you. Login and speak to hundreds of universities looking for international students like you.
Earn University Credits Save time and thousands of dollars on your undergraduate education. Earn 3 – 6 real university credits per exam with the UExcel® program.