Beginning with the obvious – St. Petersburg is cold. It is the northernmost major city in the world, and is regularly below freezing in the winter months. If teaching abroad in St. Petersburg it will likely be for at least one full academic year, so plan accordingly and pack warm clothes.

Now onto the city itself. St. Petersburg is located on the Neva river which flows into the Baltic Sea. It is Russia’s second largest city with over 5 million inhabitants and serves as a major commercial, cultural, and transportation hub of the area. The urban area is well connected by the St. Petersburg tram and St. Petersburg metro, and the capital city of Moscow is only a few hours away by high speed train.

A surprising amount of historical architecture has remained intact over the years (unlike Moscow where much was destroyed during the Russian Revolution), and the historic center of the city has been honored a UNESCO Heritage Site. There are also a large number of museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions which will prove to be great outlets for teachers during their free time. St. Petersburg is considered one of the greatest literary cities in the world, so try your best to dive into a Russian classic literature while teaching English in St. Petersburg!

There will certainly come a dose of culture shock as you adjust to life in St. Petersburg, but as Russia’s most Westernized city you will find the transition to be less rough than in other parts of the country. Overall you should expect a fun and fascinating experience teaching in Russia’s most iconic city and cultural center.