In this episode of the 'Why Russia' podcast, we host Alexander 'Alex' John Lee, an American software engineer living in Moscow. We delve into his unexpected journey from being a foreign student intending to stay a single semester to living in Russia since 2017. Alex shares valuable insights about his transition into the tech sphere in Russia, a country he highlights as being particularly strong in tech industry talents, specifically software engineering and hacking. He recounts his experiences studying at the renowned Moscow State University of International Relations and shares the academic rigor and competitiveness characteristic of Russian universities. Alex further discusses the contrasting lifestyle in Moscow compared to small-town Knoxville, Tennessee, his cultural close connection to Russia, and points on missing the convenience of the US lifestyle. We get a chance to explore some of Russia's must-visit places, including Sochi and Siberia's Gorno Altai region. Alex wraps up with practical advice for potential international students.