Russians are pretty famously known to be the villain of every movie. Whether it's a Russian hacker attempting to take down cyberspace or the Russian mafia coming to 'collect' what they're owed, or something crazy like those Russians in the most recent Fast and Furious movie where Vin Diesel is outdriving a submarine, Hollywood loves to use Russians as the bad guys in movies. According to stereotypes, all Russians drink vodka with every meal, talk in a deep voice with a thick Russian accent, are quiet and observing and keep to themselves unless they need to beat someone up. Russians are assumed to be cold and unwelcoming, and they're all spies and work for the FSB (Federal Security Service). People assume all Russians hate America and Americans, and they all love Putin.
In my experience, the average Russian is not very different than the average American, especially Russians that are your age and my age. College kids all around the world are having similar experiences with classes and struggles. Our world is so interconnected and westernized now that life in Moscow and life in New York City are more similar than life in Comanche, Texas and life in New York City. Russians, especially younger Russians who were born after 1991 (when the Soviet Union ended), have always lived in relative freedom and in a capitalist economy.
