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Perm

Perm (Russian Пермь) is the administrative centre of the Perm Krai (Region), an area covering 799.68 km² (308.8 sq mi) in the European part of Russia. It is an industrial city located on the edge of the Ural Mountains next to the River Kama. According to the town administration’s official website, Perm is Russia’s thirteenth most populated city, boasting a population of around one million inhabitants. It is known as the gateway to the Urals and Siberia, making it a convenient starting point for exploring these mysterious and unknown regions. It is of interest to know that the word ‘Perm’ is derived from the ethnic language ‘Komi-Permyak’ and can be translated as a hilly place covered with woods. History The origins of Perm can be traced back to the middle ages when the region was populated by Finno-Ugric tribes, before becoming a point of conflict between the Principalities of Moscow and Nizhni Novgorod as a result of its highly profitable fur trade. In 1472, Perm finally succumbed to Moscow’s expanding empire. Christianity was introduced to the area by Saint Stephen in the late 14th century and this was followed by gradual ‘Russification’ with Tsarist administration officials, Church officials and peasants from Western Russia. Perm was founded on the 15th May (4th May in the Julian calendar) 1723 and has had town status since 1781. By 1797, Perm had already been an administrative centre of the ‘gubernia’ with the same name. The abundance of natural resources located in the area meant the town soon became a prime target for the armaments and munitions industries and a major industrial centre. The 19th century saw Perm expand into a major trade and industrial centre with several metal-smelting plants, paper factories and steamboat plants (one being owned by a British entrepreneur). Perm’s industrial revolution saw Russia’s first phosphorous plant and just before the Revolution and Civil War, Perm State University, (still one of Russia’s most important educational institutes) was opened. Several munitions plants were developed, making Perm a prime target for both sides during the Russian Civil War. During the 1930s, Perm grew to become one of Russia’s industrial cities where numerous aviation, shipbuilding and chemical plants were built. During and after the Second World War, Perm was a vital centre of tank production in the Soviet Union, producing tanks not only for the Soviet Union but also for several Warsaw Pact members and Soviet allies outside Europe such as Cuba and Ethiopia. Consequently, Perm was listed as ‘restricted’ to visitors by the Soviet authorities. To this day almost 80% of the city's population is employed in manufacturing. From 1940 until 1957, the city was named Molotov (Мо́лотов), after Vyacheslav Molotov, the Soviet Foreign Minister who could be considered as one of those responsible for instigating World War Two by signing a ‘Peace and Friendship’ treaty with Joachim von Ribbentrop, the Foreign Minister of the Third Reich. Today, Perm has evolved into a major administrative, industrial, scientific, and cultural centre. The leading industries include heavy industry manufacturing, (a consequence of its industrial development during Soviet times), chemical and petrochemical plants, oil production and manufacturing, timber and wood processing and manufacturing food products. Since 2005 Perm has become the center of Perm Krai (Perm region and Komi-Permyak Circuit) with 13 municipal circuits and 37 districts. The city’s administration has formed sister city links with the following cities: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (1994); Oxford, the UK (1995) and a recent addition has been the German city of Duisburg (2007). Geography Perm covers an area of 79,968 square km. In terms of size, it takes third place among Russian cities after Moscow and Saint-Petersburg. Perm is quite a hilly city located on the banks of the Kama River. Perm is also one of Russia’s main maritime navigation hubs as the Kama is the main tributary connecting the Urals with the White, Baltic, Azov, Black and Caspian Seas. The Kama will impress you by its size. At Perm, where the river is its narrowest, it measures 1 km wide as it flows through the city. It is also one of the deepest and most picturesque rivers of Russia. The river bank is very green in summer and lies on an elevation, giving you a splendid opportunity to admire its beauty! Climate Perm’s climate is sharply continental but not as fearsome as you might imagine! The average winter temperature is -13 to -17 C. Usually there is a lot of snow in winter, sometimes the depth of snow covering is more 50 cm! But people like it as it gives them an excellent opportunity to enjoy cross-country or alpine skiing and skating. Spring usually begins in April when everything is awash due to the big thaw. The average summer temperature is +15 to +20 C. Sometimes the temperature reaches 30 degrees and up. Cycling, yachting, climbing, tourism, rafting are among the attractions for which the area is famous! July and August can be very hot, with temperatures reaching as high as 35° centigrade. There are mosquitoes, so bring a good repellent. Autumn brings rather unstable weather. The first frost usually occurs in October, and the first snowfalls in early November. Transport Perm is an important railway junction on the Trans-Siberian Railway with lines radiating to Central Russia, the northern part of the Urals Kazakhstan, Siberia and the Far East. Journey times from Moscow by train range from twenty to twenty-four hours with tickets costing from $40 - $120. The Kama is an important maritime focal point in connecting the city with many European water-routes; a part of the European deep water system. It is possible to sail from the Kama area to the ports of the White, Baltic, Azov, Black and Caspian seas without reloading. There is one international airport in Perm - Bolshoye Savino (Big Savino). There are frequent flights to Moscow and other Russian cities. At the time of writing, Perm was served by Lufthansa, which operated a twice/thrice weekly fright from Frankfurt-am-Main. A taxi from the airport to the centre should cost about 600 Roubles, although it is likely a company representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your flat. Perm is also served by the smaller Airport and military base "Bakharevka". Education Perm is one of Russia’s major educational and scientific centres hosting a number of research and scientific institutes, many of which combine into Russia’s Academy of Sciences, its’ Urals faculty being located in Perm. In the academic sphere, Perm hosts a Technical University and several academies in the area of education, agriculture and many more institutes covering a wide variety of specialisations. It is possible that your students will be from many of these institutes as well as many of the well-known chemical and energy firms located in Perm. Hospitality The people of Perm are friendly and polite. They prefer to spend their leisure time in cafes, at the cinema or theatre and in other similar places of entertainment. Another favourite pastime is simply enjoying walks in the forest and enjoying the abundant nature. You are likely to meet many new people in Perm and will likely find enjoyment spending your free time in a similar way. Going to your new friends’ homes, you’ll be surprised by the abundance of food and drink on the table. Feeding guests well is a Russian tradition. Be careful with alcoholic beverages – it is best not to drink a lot, as this could have a negative effect on your health as well as your image! Though Russia may be famous for its vodka, Russians tend to think that a well-mannered person will not allow him or herself to drink to excess. Entertainment and Leisure Theatres and Cinemas Perm is proud of its cultural heritage as the city boasts some of the finest performing arts in Russia. The Perm Opera and Ballet House is one of the best in Russia. Every year it opens its doors to Diaghilev Season. Sergei Diaghilev is a remarkable figure well-known in 20th century Russian culture. He is responsible for the creation of Russia’s unique style of ballet and has helped along numerous composers, painters, dancers and ballet masters such as Stravinsky, Nizhinsky, Fokin, Anna Pavlova, Benua, Serge Lifar and others. There are many other theatres in Perm among them the Drama theatre, the Puppet Theatre, the Theatre for Young Spectators and the Theatre "Near Bridge". Make sure you bring some formal clothes in case your students invite you to the opera or ballet. If you enjoy the cinema, then there are five multi-plexes in the centre of the city showing films translated into Russian (a good way of learning, practicing and improving your Russian). Tickets cost 150-500 roubles. For those who enjoy bowling, there’s Bowling Planet. The cost is 350-600 roubles per hour. For those who enjoy high-energy sports and speed, then Go Carting is for you (350 roubles for 3 minutes). In warm weather, people also join into teams and play paintball outdoors. There are also 4 swimming pools and many fitness centres, you may pay for one time or buy a club card for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. Food and Drink You are sure to be surprised with the cuisine on offer: Italian, Czech, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Uzbek, Tatar as well as the many ubiquitous sushi restaurants. All will be found in Perm. Nightlife You are sure to explore many of the night clubs and bars in Perm. Many people living in Perm expect the standard of the clubs and bars to quickly catch up to those found in Moscow. If you like dancing or just relaxing, give Bionika, Veter or Mama Mia (all located in the city centre) a try. There you’ll find the city’s young, energetic and fashionable people. There is no entrance fee, but sadly Moscow’s notorious ‘feis control’ is now reaching the region. If heavy dance and techno music are not to your liking, there are plenty of other stylish clubs on offer as well as dance restaurants – a place where you can eat, talk to your friends and dance. Alternatively, taking a walk in some of the parks or having shashlik (barbeque) outside the town beside the River Kama is also a favourite pastime which is enjoyed by most of the city’s inhabitants. Sightseeing Towns and Museums While living in Perm, you are sure to explore the local countryside with your students and there are several places within easy reach of the city. Khokhlovka, a village 30 miles (45km) from Perm, is home to the only museum dedicated to wooden architecture in the Urals. The village features an outdoor museum located on the banks of the Kama Reservoir. There you can find a collection of wooden buildings that were typical of earlier times. The Belogorskii Saint-Nikolai Monastery is the fifth largest holy place in Russia by size. The monastery is located on the picturesque slopes of the Urals. During the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, many affluent factory people and Old Believers who were being pursued by the authorities concealed themselves in the cells and small monasteries found here. At the beginning of spring, there is a folk festival to celebrate the coming of the season. Kungur is one of the oldest towns in the Urals. There you will find a rich variety of architecture and an ice cave with several unique ice formations, frozen waterfalls, transparent lakes and much more. There are many old towns with a wealth of history - Solikamsk, Nyrob, Cherdyn, Kungur - and numerous historical monuments to be found in the Perm region. Solikamsk is the former settlement of Sol-Kamskaya where the first salt-works were located. During the very early times, the salt-works and trade with Europe and Asia were the key economic resources of the town; as such Babinov’s Road (the only road linking Europe and Asia) passed through Solikamsk. Perm 36, a memorial complex located about 100 kilometres from Perm, is a sinister reminder of the Stalin period. Located here was one of the infamous labour camps of the Gulag Archipelago where hundreds of dissidents were persecuted. Stalin ordered the camp built in 1946 for the detention of political prisoners, who were confined to small freezing sheds. Perm 36 was closed in 1987 and the camp now has a memorial to the victims of the Gulag system, a museum and a research centre. Natural Wonders The Perm region is also very popular among speleologists as there are to be found about 600 caves. Among them is the famous – Kungurskaya Ice Cave. A visit to the Kungurskaya Ice Cave will give you the opportunity to admire the nature of the Urals in all its splendor and acquaints you with the history of the settlements of the region. You can hear fascinating stories about the Great Siberian road (also called the Moscow road) and the populated areas nearby. A trip down to ice cave, will reveal its 20 marvelous grottos: the Diamond and the Polar grottos with their brilliant snow crystals; the Meteor grotto, reposing in pitch-darkness; the Ethereal grotto with its year-round ‘dripping’ and ‘organ-pipes’ (well-like holes formed in the rock mass by the dripping water. You will see magnificent underground lakes, amazing stalactites and stalagmites and so much more. Language Link Perm Language Link offers an exclusive service in Perm: learning English with native speakers. We strive for the 3 ‘H’s – High level of service, High level of quality and High level of personal and professional development. Russian people study English as they realize it is of vital importance for themselves and for the development of their careers and businesses. We help our citizenry to reach and achieve their goals. Location: Language Link's school and office in Perm is located in a quiet district of the city in a new 9-storey brick building. Address: 10 Kirov Street, Perm, Russia 614000 Telephone: +7 (342) 237-28-93 E-mail: ros@mail.ru Office hours: Monday-Friday 9.00 - 21.00; Saturday 11.00 - 16.00; Sunday Closed Facilities The school currently has 4 light well-equipped classrooms. There is a place for an administrator equipped with a computer with Internet access, a photocopier and fax as well as a separate teachers’ room where teachers can relax between classes and drink a cup of coffee or tea. There is also a small-sized cloak-room and a «waiting» room where students can relax, drink tea or coffee or converse. All materials necessary for teaching (books, DVDs, audio files, etc) are kept in a resource library. English Language Courses and Examinations Language Link in Perm offers 5 levels of General English (Beginner-Advanced), Intensive General English, Business English, Conversational and Examination Preparation Courses. Classes may be of any of the following sizes: large group (10 students), mini-group (3-4 students) and individual one-to-one. Dress Code and Clothing A teacher’s appearance should reflect their role as a professional educator. That is how your students will perceive you. Though there is no strict dress code, it should be remembered that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Proper clothes will help you to make that very important first impression. Although, there is no strict dress-code in our School, we want our employees to look elegant and presentable (trousers or smart jeans with a shirt and tie for men; a dress, a skirt or trousers with a blouse for women). In selecting clothing to bring with you, do not forget about Russia’s cold winters and bring some warm clothing (jacket, sweater, pull-over, scarf, gloves, etc) and appropriate winter footwear with you. Anything that you should, but do not bring with you, the School will help you to find. Daily Living in Perm Accommodation While working for Language Link, you will be living in a shared two room flat with a kitchen, a bathroom and a toilet. Language Link pays all the bills with the exception of the telephone and electricity consumption over 100 kilowatts. You are advised to buy phone cards to call mobiles, abroad or use the internet from your flat. The flats are not luxurious! However, they are liveable and furnished with the basics. Bedding, cutlery and crockery are all supplied. They should be situated close to public transport and within a very reasonable distance of the school. Try to get to know your neighbours, they are mostly very friendly and keen to help you with any problems you have. It goes without saying, treat them with respect - no loud music at night, slamming doors, etc. Laundries and Dry Cleaners Unfortunately, washing machines are not provided in teachers’ apartments. However, many laundry services are at your disposal. The prices are affordable. Utilities - Telephone and Internet Prices for long-distance telephone calls vary. There are, however, ways of lowering the price of long-distance calls using IP-telephony. At Language Link, there is a computer connected to the Internet which teachers will have access to for their personal use. All the key mobile providers are present in Perm: MTS, Beeline and Megaphone. Charges cost from 1.5 cents to 3 cents per minute. The quality of the connection is high. After arrival in Perm, teachers will be provided with a mobile phone, which they can use for local calls. The administrator of the school will be glad to help with any questions! Below are emergency numbers, but we sincerely hope teachers will not get to use them. Useful Numbers Fire 01 Police 02 Ambulance 03 Gas 04 Directory enquiries 09 or 065 Language Link Office (8342) 237-28-93 Electricity Electricity is 220 volt/50 hz. Plugs are of the two-pin variety (continental type). Bare this in mind if you are bringing notebooks, hairdryers, etc. If you bring electronic equipment with you, we advise you to buy a special adapter prior to your arrival. The power supply is reliable and instances of power cuts are rare but just in case, bring a torch (flashlight) or have a few candles for emergencies. The streets of Perm are well-lit. Water We would strongly recommend you not to drink the local tap water. To solve the problem you can buy a water filter. For example, coal filters are effective and affordable. Bottled water is widely available and is not expensive — about $1.50 for a five-liter bottle. Hot water is always reliable in winter, but in summer the water is occasionally cut off for maintenance reasons. Whenever water is to be cut for routine maintenance, you will be notified in advance. We suggest you fill your bathtub so as to have bathing or washing water. Travelling around the City Perm’s streets conform to typical Soviet town-planning with most streets operating in a grid-like structure, rather similar to most North-American cities. This makes it easy to get around and helpful to find your bearings, should you ever get lost! The majority of public places and places of interest are situated in the centre of the city. Most transport networks around towns and cities of the former Soviet Union are fairly extensive. Perm's public transit network includes an extensive tram, bus, minibus (marshrutka) and trolleybus system. They all start between 5 and 6 am in the morning and finish between 12 and 1 am in the evening. Buses and marshrutkas that travel round the city go every 3-5 minutes and cost between 10 - 20 roubles at the time of writing. You can also take a taxicab (it can be called from any phone) to the place you need; the fare varies depending on the distance to the point of your destination. The waiting period is 5-15 min. Money and Financial Matters Language Link salaries are set in US$, but are payable only in roubles (in accordance with Russian law). The rouble has remained relatively stable against the US dollar, the Euro and the GBP in 2008. US dollars and euros can be easily changed in Perm, but GB pounds are more difficult to change outside Moscow. Roubles can be bought outside of Russia at the time of writing but a favourable exchange rate is not offered. Your salary will go along way in Perm, where the average salary of a university lecturer or qualified doctor is around $250 per month. Money can be sent via Western Union to or from Perm and some local banks will transfer money into UK and US bank accounts for a $25 fee plus exchange rate costs. Cash machines/ATMs are available in the centre of Perm from where you can access your home account, provided you have remembered to bring your PIN number. (Some teachers choose to elect a family member as joint account holders on their home account to ease transactions both ways). Shopping Contrary to what some may believe, there is no shortage of goods of any kind in Russian cities. Perm is a rapidly developing city with numerous malls and shopping centres. There are many shops, kiosks, supermarkets and large outdoor markets for your shopping pleasure where you can buy anything: food and beverages, clothes and shoes, cosmetics and books, electrical devices or whatever you wish, often cheaper than you'd find in Moscow. There are also numerous ‘produkti’ which are the equivalent of ‘Corner Shops’. You should not expect to be given a smile as courtesy as this is a difficult concept for many Russian shop assistants to grasp. Please note that English reading material is hard to come by (but there are several English bookstores in Moscow worth visiting while you are passing through). Healthcare The level of healthcare in Perm is considered to be high. There is a medical and research centre, as well as private and state clinics. Chemists can be found everywhere. If you need any special medication, it is better to bring it with you as it may prove difficult to find a pharmacy with the necessary license to prescribe your particular medication in Russia. Medical care will be provided to the teachers on the basis of a medical insurance policy. Dental and optical services are at the charge of the teacher, but they are much more affordable than in Europe or America. You do not need a medical prescription to procure most medications, but strong ones are by prescription only. If you have health problems while in Perm, Language Link will help to find good care and pay for it. The Language Link Promise We promise that we will do our best to make your time in Perm a positive and memorable experience. Apply Online N.B. Please be sure to place 'Perm' in the space allotted for 'Preferred Posting (first choice)'.