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How does the OKA Agency help foreigners move to Russia? 🧐
This will be told in the first person by Jacob Pinneker, CEO of the "OKA" Agency, who gave an interview for "Komsomolskaya Pravda" radio.
⬇️Sharing the most interesting things⬇️
Q: Tell us how the "OKA" Agency helps migrants?
A: We help foreigners to collect documents, register for migration, find housing and work, start a business, and purchase property. We also provide individual support to those who have moved to Russia themselves but need adaptation support.
Q: Where do the enquiries come from?
A: A lot of enquiries come from Germany, the USA, Canada and the rest of Europe. As a rule, they are qualified specialists in various fields: businessmen, top managers, engineers, farmers, teachers. There are a lot of enquiries from large families.
Q: How do people find you?
A: We have our own English-language TG channel, we are supported by local foreign bloggers and the regional government. We don't persuade anyone to move to Russia. We just tell people how to live here, and people come on their own.
Q: Are there plans to create special settlements for foreigners?
A: Today there is already a Russian-German village in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which is actively developing. But I can say for sure – people don't want to live in isolation in separate communities. They want to live and develop together with everyone else, they want to socialise.
Q: Is it difficult for foreigners to adapt in a new environment?
A: Of course, it is difficult to adapt to a new environment. But all foreigners are very proactive. We are happy to help them, support their ideas. We form a community for them, where they share their experience and learn more about Russian culture.
Q: What are their first impressions of Russia, of Nizhny Novgorod?
A: They say that we have a clean city, comfortable infrastructure and public transport. We have shops open 24 hours a day. They are impressed by the low taxes, the opportunity to open a business quickly. For them, Russia is another world.
Q: Jacob, you yourself moved to Russia eight years ago. Tell us about your experience.
A: The Bavarian company where I worked decided to open a branch office in Ekaterinburg. I came on a work visa and headed the company. I planned to do business in Russia for two years, but I stayed with my family. I remember that day. It was Friday, the 13th. We didn't know anyone. We found a real estate agent, she helped us find a flat and a school for the children, told us many important everyday aspects and did not charge any money for her help. I found people quickly, and they helped me adapt to Russia. But I am not the first of my family to move here. My ancestors moved to Russia in 1766 and became one of the first representatives of Volga Germans, and in the years of perestroika they left for the Federal Republic of Germany. A few weeks ago we found a photo where one of the boys turned out to be my grandfather. So I saw my ancestors, who took the photo back in the Tsarist Empire. And now I am repeating their path. It's an incredible feeling.
Q: What plans does the "OKA" Agency have for the next year?
A: We will continue to develop our community, we will help foreigners integrate into Russian culture and help people start their new life in Russia.
#ProOKA
