Participants specify the preferred type of host-family when signing up. These preferences will be taken into consideration, but we cannot make any guarantee that they will always be met absolutely. Families are usually selected without any foreign language knowledge (English speaking Russians are desperate for English conversation). However, if a participant feels uneasy about this approach, we will try to find him/her a place to live where English is spoken. Experience shows that even absolute beginners will be able to communicate after the first few days.

It is obvious that a certain flexibility and tolerance on the part of the guest will be necessary for a successful stay and integration. Russia is a country with basic infrastructure. Power or hot water failures are not uncommon. However, justly famous Russian hospitality will play its part in overcoming most of these problems.