Yeah they typically just hate people in general lol. They tried to get us all killed here too because they refused to even slightly change their customs for Covid, apparently it was super important to them that everyone eats from the same fucking spoon. For now they're only getting themselves killed (although unfortunately the one who died so far was the very rare case of someone who, while not progressive, at least was a decent person).
Sooo anyway, how's Russia? I'm actually sorta interested in going there for grad school or whatever if I can't get into a good enough program somewhere else. Less likely to bankrupt me too.
I mean, Russia isn't doing well. They've dropped the ball on covid, economic support during the pandemic is almost nonexistent, the economy is failing and the cost of ruble is unprecedentedly low.
I've asked my SO who's is a grad student here in Moscow and she's convinced that getting into a grad school here is a very bad idea. The education system has been falling apart for some time now. Post-doc on the other hand might be a smart idea.
Interesting. Well, sounds like everywhere right now lol. I was mostly asking about what life in general is like, how people are like, etc. I was actually eyeing at Lomonosov for physics, do you have any idea what that is like?
She says Moscow state university has all the same problems and also has trouble accomodating foreign students and teaching in English.
You might want to look in Higher School of Economics instead. At least it's better on foreign students front and you can get a PhD.
What is it like in general? Man, that's a hard question. What's relevant?
Vast majority of people over 40 don't know English. Even scientists struggle to form coherent sentences. Most blue collar workers don't know English so that might be inconvenient.
If you look Greek you might experience some prejudice.
Moscow isn't cheap. Rent is damn high and transportation is expensive.
Either way she's convinced you should look into Europe, Canada, China. A lot of people from Russia strive for those programs. If you can dm me your field she can link you to some of her friends in those programs.
You might want to look in Higher School of Economics instead.
Well economics is definitely noooot my thing so nah lol
I don't mind the teaching in English part as much, it's not very hard for me to learn languages so I could learn Russian if I thought it was worth it. Thanks for the perspective though.
What is it like in general? Man, that’s a hard question. What’s relevant?
I don't know, like, what are people weird about? That would be the most important thing.
If you look Greek you might experience some prejudice.
Well yeah I do lol. There is prejudice against Greek people in particular?? Weird lol.
Moscow isn’t cheap. Rent is damn high and transportation is expensive.
Compared to the rest of Russia? Yeah. But my other options are in super expensive European countries, and I know that compared to those it isn't AS bad.
Either way she’s convinced you should look into Europe, Canada, China
Appreciate it! These are my first choices anyways, Russia is basically a backup plan if I don't like my prospects elsewhere. Right now I am not even 100% sure if I want to go theoretical or condensed matter. We'll see.
Well economics is definitely noooot my thing so nah lol
It's just the name of the University, they have one of the best theoretical physics programs in a country. There is also Skolkovo, they have a condensed matter program.
There is prejudice against Greek people in particular??
No, but there is a good likelihood to be confused with Caucasians and there is prejudice against Caucasians. Probably not as prevalent in academic environment, but still.
I don’t know, like, what are people weird about?
Even in Moscow, a lot of people are increasingly socially reactionary, extremely aggressive against LGBT stuff. What else? Supposedly Russians never smile and always look grim.
It’s just the name of the University, they have one of the best theoretical physics programs in a country. There is also Skolkovo, they have a condensed matter program.
Huh. I didn't know about that stuff. Interesting.
No, but there is a good likelihood to be confused with Caucasians and there is prejudice against Caucasians. Probably not as prevalent in academic environment, but still.
You mean, like, people from Caucasus right? They don't like them in Moscow? BTW it wouldn't be entirely incorrect, my great grandparents were pontic Greeks from Trabzon which is close to the Caucasus I guess lol
extremely aggressive against LGBT stuff.
Well I'm bi so that's pretty bad lol. Is that also true for younger people? Because older people here are also super angry at LGBT people but young people are alright.
Supposedly Russians never smile and always look grim.
OK, well, at least I'd have an excuse to not smile which I find awkward sometimes for some reason lol
There is prejudice against Armenians, Azerbaijanians, Georgians, Chechens in all central Russia. They are basically Latino immigrants of Russia, considered to be tribal, impulsive and backwards.
Is that also true for younger people?
The prestigious universities of Moscow are like the only places libs congregate in in Russia, but even there there are still enough virulent homophobes that are capable of violence. I've never met an openly LGBT person while studying in one those universities and that's for reason. Shit's scary.
I see. Sucks about the LGBT thing. Like, I've encountered a looot of homophobia and it doesn't really phase me that much any more but I would definitely massively prefer to be able to be openly bi, which I can here in unis.
Thing is, I also hate the lifestyle in places like the UK etc. I visited my friend who studies there and stayed in her apartment for some time, it was lots of fun for me because I was just spending a few days but I could tell I'd be super grossed out if I had to live there. It's just... Their way of life is very stressful, depressing and kinda gross to me, I don't really understand it and I can tell I wouldn't feel well there. I've also been in France and Germany, France isn't as bad I guess but I still wouldn't like it. Of the countries I have been in and know people from the only ones I thought were kinda cool were Italy and maybe Ireland, and even then Ireland had some of the features I dislike about England. Kinda sucks that most countries suck... But I guess I am not at serious risk of being assaulted for my sexuality there, which is important.
I really like Russian science books tho... In fact I am reading one now.
There is prejudice against Armenians, Azerbaijanians, Georgians, Chechens in all central Russia. They are basically Latino immigrants of Russia, considered to be tribal, impulsive and backwards.
I kinda wanna buy Landau Lifshitz in Russian so that I can learn both. I like learning languages by means of trying to go through a book. Also maybe it will be cheaper than the ridiculously expensive English versions.
By the way, do you know where I might order Lanlifshitz in Russian if I ever decided to? Is there like some kind of Russian amazon that might deliver to Greece?
Also I can never figure out when o is pronounced o or a lol
There is a russian site called Ozon that sell those books and it says they deliver outside of Russia. Also my SO has strong opinions on which volumes are good and which are not so good.
Also I can never figure out when o is pronounced o or a lol
It's always pronounced as o when it's stressed but outside of that it seems like there are no rules. It's like English spelling, you just have to remember it. So just pronounce it as o and people will understand you. You will learn eventually after enough exposure.
It’s like English spelling, you just have to remember it.
No like 😡
Also my SO has strong opinions on which volumes are good and which are not so good.
Which does she think are good and which aren't? I've only read some of the StatMech book, the entire Classical mechanics book and some of the Classical Fields book and I liked all 3. Idk about the rest.
Well I liked the classical mechanics one although I do agree it is not as good as the other two I looked at. Also yeah I can imagine the QM-QFT ones maybe are a little bit too old to be very good.
No but I was reading the StatMech one a few days ago. Eventually I wanna buy the whole series if I somehow find the money. It is Linear Algebra and Geometry by Alexei Kostrikin and Yuri Manin. Everything by Yuri Manin is really cool.
Yeah they typically just hate people in general lol. They tried to get us all killed here too because they refused to even slightly change their customs for Covid, apparently it was super important to them that everyone eats from the same fucking spoon. For now they're only getting themselves killed (although unfortunately the one who died so far was the very rare case of someone who, while not progressive, at least was a decent person).
Sooo anyway, how's Russia? I'm actually sorta interested in going there for grad school or whatever if I can't get into a good enough program somewhere else. Less likely to bankrupt me too.
I mean, Russia isn't doing well. They've dropped the ball on covid, economic support during the pandemic is almost nonexistent, the economy is failing and the cost of ruble is unprecedentedly low.
I've asked my SO who's is a grad student here in Moscow and she's convinced that getting into a grad school here is a very bad idea. The education system has been falling apart for some time now. Post-doc on the other hand might be a smart idea.
Interesting. Well, sounds like everywhere right now lol. I was mostly asking about what life in general is like, how people are like, etc. I was actually eyeing at Lomonosov for physics, do you have any idea what that is like?
She says Moscow state university has all the same problems and also has trouble accomodating foreign students and teaching in English.
You might want to look in Higher School of Economics instead. At least it's better on foreign students front and you can get a PhD.
What is it like in general? Man, that's a hard question. What's relevant?
Vast majority of people over 40 don't know English. Even scientists struggle to form coherent sentences. Most blue collar workers don't know English so that might be inconvenient.
If you look Greek you might experience some prejudice.
Moscow isn't cheap. Rent is damn high and transportation is expensive.
Either way she's convinced you should look into Europe, Canada, China. A lot of people from Russia strive for those programs. If you can dm me your field she can link you to some of her friends in those programs.
Well economics is definitely noooot my thing so nah lol
I don't mind the teaching in English part as much, it's not very hard for me to learn languages so I could learn Russian if I thought it was worth it. Thanks for the perspective though.
I don't know, like, what are people weird about? That would be the most important thing.
Well yeah I do lol. There is prejudice against Greek people in particular?? Weird lol.
Compared to the rest of Russia? Yeah. But my other options are in super expensive European countries, and I know that compared to those it isn't AS bad.
Appreciate it! These are my first choices anyways, Russia is basically a backup plan if I don't like my prospects elsewhere. Right now I am not even 100% sure if I want to go theoretical or condensed matter. We'll see.
It's just the name of the University, they have one of the best theoretical physics programs in a country. There is also Skolkovo, they have a condensed matter program.
No, but there is a good likelihood to be confused with Caucasians and there is prejudice against Caucasians. Probably not as prevalent in academic environment, but still.
Even in Moscow, a lot of people are increasingly socially reactionary, extremely aggressive against LGBT stuff. What else? Supposedly Russians never smile and always look grim.
Huh. I didn't know about that stuff. Interesting.
You mean, like, people from Caucasus right? They don't like them in Moscow? BTW it wouldn't be entirely incorrect, my great grandparents were pontic Greeks from Trabzon which is close to the Caucasus I guess lol
Well I'm bi so that's pretty bad lol. Is that also true for younger people? Because older people here are also super angry at LGBT people but young people are alright.
OK, well, at least I'd have an excuse to not smile which I find awkward sometimes for some reason lol
There is prejudice against Armenians, Azerbaijanians, Georgians, Chechens in all central Russia. They are basically Latino immigrants of Russia, considered to be tribal, impulsive and backwards.
The prestigious universities of Moscow are like the only places libs congregate in in Russia, but even there there are still enough virulent homophobes that are capable of violence. I've never met an openly LGBT person while studying in one those universities and that's for reason. Shit's scary.
I see. Sucks about the LGBT thing. Like, I've encountered a looot of homophobia and it doesn't really phase me that much any more but I would definitely massively prefer to be able to be openly bi, which I can here in unis.
Thing is, I also hate the lifestyle in places like the UK etc. I visited my friend who studies there and stayed in her apartment for some time, it was lots of fun for me because I was just spending a few days but I could tell I'd be super grossed out if I had to live there. It's just... Their way of life is very stressful, depressing and kinda gross to me, I don't really understand it and I can tell I wouldn't feel well there. I've also been in France and Germany, France isn't as bad I guess but I still wouldn't like it. Of the countries I have been in and know people from the only ones I thought were kinda cool were Italy and maybe Ireland, and even then Ireland had some of the features I dislike about England. Kinda sucks that most countries suck... But I guess I am not at serious risk of being assaulted for my sexuality there, which is important.
I really like Russian science books tho... In fact I am reading one now.
The Greek analogue to that is Albanians.
Is it Landau-Lifshitz?
I kinda wanna buy Landau Lifshitz in Russian so that I can learn both. I like learning languages by means of trying to go through a book. Also maybe it will be cheaper than the ridiculously expensive English versions.
Good luck with that! If you ever have questions on education in Moscow or Russian language, send me a message.
Sure thing!
By the way, do you know where I might order Lanlifshitz in Russian if I ever decided to? Is there like some kind of Russian amazon that might deliver to Greece?
Also I can never figure out when o is pronounced o or a lol
There is a russian site called Ozon that sell those books and it says they deliver outside of Russia. Also my SO has strong opinions on which volumes are good and which are not so good.
It's always pronounced as o when it's stressed but outside of that it seems like there are no rules. It's like English spelling, you just have to remember it. So just pronounce it as o and people will understand you. You will learn eventually after enough exposure.
Also HOLY SHIT IT'S LIKE ONLY 7 EUROS
Hope import fees don't drive the price through the ceiling, but it's not like I wouldn't have to pay those for the English books.
No like 😡
Which does she think are good and which aren't? I've only read some of the StatMech book, the entire Classical mechanics book and some of the Classical Fields book and I liked all 3. Idk about the rest.
Good: Field theory (2) Statistical physics (5)
Supposedly good: Hydrodynamics
Not so good: Quantum mechanics Classical mechanics Quantum field theory
Even not so good ones solve problems on basic level that you'd have to look for old papers.
Well I liked the classical mechanics one although I do agree it is not as good as the other two I looked at. Also yeah I can imagine the QM-QFT ones maybe are a little bit too old to be very good.
No but I was reading the StatMech one a few days ago. Eventually I wanna buy the whole series if I somehow find the money. It is Linear Algebra and Geometry by Alexei Kostrikin and Yuri Manin. Everything by Yuri Manin is really cool.
Also one thing that may be bad is that I am literally allergic to cold. Yes, it is a thing, it's called cold urticaria. Although mine is pretty mild.
That's sucks. On the other hand considering the global warming there haven't been a really cold winter in Moscow for like fifteen years.