The BKC Moscow Doctor

So you've been in Moscow for a few weeks or for a few months by now. There are a few things you probably already know about what will happen if you get sick.

• If you break your leg or require surgery, you will probably be terminated and sent home. BKC Moscow may or may not pay for your airline ticket for you to go home to your country.
• If you get sick, you will not be paid for any time off. You cannot use your holiday time for your sick days. You will receive a portion of your pay after the fourth day of illness.
• The Doctor BKC Moscow will send you is not a fluent English speaker. BKC Moscow will not provide you a translator.
• No matter what your symptoms are, the Doctor will almost always tell you that you have the flu and that you will recover in three days.

BKC Moscow teachers who have been around for awhile know that if they want an unpaid holiday, they just need to call BKC and say, "I'm sick." BKC may or may not send the doctor to your flat. No matter what you tell the Doctor, he will always say that you have the flu.

If you really are sick, then BKC will arrange for you to go to one of the state-run clinics in Russia. Field stories of the state-fun hospitals and clinics are horrific. We will be posting more first-hand accounts of these stories.

BKC Moscow, despite what they may want you to believe, does not offer you any type of insurance. The health care you receive is sub-standard, state-run facilities and treatment.

This is unfortunate, because there are actually several private hospitals, doctors and clinics that serve English speakers.

BKC Moscow will not pay for Western standard care for you, as a BKC teacher.

Stories from the field will be posted soon.