Omsk is very close to the border with Kazakhstan, so there are many people of Kazakh descent or with connections to Kazakhstan who live in Omsk. Taking a language class has been a really great way for me to meet new people, improve my Russian and learn about a different culture.
Since I am also taking Russian classes, I have built lots of different relationships with people in my department. The faculty are always very welcoming and constantly working to make sure my Russian is improving. There are also other students in the department that I have become friends with! One of my friends is from Australia and helps lead an English club in Omsk. I have started attending the English club and have met some really amazing people there.
Finally, there is my community from the English club that I lead. I have become friends with several different people through leading the English club, including some in the dorm where I live. We have gone to the movies, went grocery shopping and wandered the city so that I learn about the best places in Omsk. We also often sit in the dorm drinking tea and speaking a mix of Russian and English, whichever language fits best in the moment.
Although building a community is hard work, I am really proud of the relationships that I have gained so far. In the coming weeks, I am hoping to continue to work on these friendships, as well as make more. As I continue to get to know Omsk and the different communities in the city, I am hoping to start volunteering, so that I can start giving back to a place that has already given me so much.
