Expert: Aaltje van Zoelen - 11/23/2008

Question
Hello,

I am a grad student studying civil engineering specifically dealing with water. I would like to work internationally, specifically in Russia as much surface water is polluted. How do take steps to do this? I graduate in a year.

Thanks!
kara

Answer
My apologies for the delay in answering your question.  Yes, there are many problems with the pollution of water and it will continue until there is human outcry, like with the pollution of the Amur River which flows down from China.  When the government became aware that people could no longer drink the water and complained about it, they finally did something, all though the first thing they did was blame China only, while the Russians should have also taken the blame for this part of the river.

However, Russia is mostly operating on its own right now and does not like what they call "interference" from abroad. So your best bet to do something like this internationally would be to monitor web Sites of conservation organizations, such as WWF, and/or decide to attend a year at a university in Russia, getting yourself known in Russians circles so that they understand who you are and what you can do.  Familiarity is the road to success in Russia.