Read the Russian Realm chapter and the BBC article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/5413226.stm and then write approximately two pages on the following: Life today in the post-Soviet Russia is very different from life during the days of the Soviet Union. The transition has produced winners and losers, as the BBC article suggest. From the perspective of a 22-year old Russian college student and current resident of Moscow, write a short essay that suggest how the economic and political changes over the past 20 years have changed your day-to-day life. -how is your life today, as a college student in post-Soviet, ''capitalist'' Russia, different from when your parents were your age (living in the Soviet communist state)? -What are conditions like at your university (Has the quality of education changed? Are your teachers, janitors paid? Can they be bribed? Have the labs been remodeled? Are the books up-to-date? Freedom of speech? Etc) -How do you support yourself? (do you have a job? What kinds of jobs are available? Can you pay rent? Is your education free, subsidized or must you pay tuition? What luxuries do you have/not have? What are your job prospects when you graduate?) -Home life (can you find an apartment? Quality of life? Healthcare and other services? Are the trains running on-time? Is crime/mafia a problem in your neighborhood? Are consumer goods-including food available and affordable?) -What is your outlook? In general do you think your life will be better, easier, freer, more prosperous, more secure...or less than your parents'' life? What do your parents or grandparents think?