Sochi Volunteers
I’m glad to see that there is some activity! Unfortunately I don’t have “Interview_OCOG” area yet either. I guess I’ll just have to wait patiently like everyone else! Please keep everyone on the board updated with your progress!
If I get something, I will post here mate, don’t you worry 
So I just got my Qantas frequently flyer statement and it turns out i have 91,000 pts
96,000 is enough points for a one way trip to Europe (doesn’t matter which airport)
Why does this matter in this thread forum?
Cause I think I will get my ticket for Sochi on points and then do my overland rail trip to asia and then just get a one way asia x flight (or similar) back home!
Hmmm overland rail trip? Like a reverse Vodka train?
Why reverse?
Pretty sure vodka train goes both directions?
But yes Trans Siberian trip.
I think the vodka train is too long though - i will have to go the most direct route - no more than 7 days.
Ahh, I think there is like a 12 day version.
edit: http://www.vodkatrain.com/journeys/trip.aspx?trip=KE
Day 1 - Arrive Moscow - Meet your group, jump on the metro and start your journey in Red Square!
Day 2 - Moscow and afternoon departure to Irkutsk
Day 3 - All aboard the Trans Siberian Railway
Day 4 - 5 - Trans Siberian Railway - Spend time with the locals, share stories and watch the landscapes change out of the window
Day 6 - Morning arrival in Irkutsk and to Lake Baikal - A refreshing swim and a taste of the famous lake’s fish to eat.
Day 7 - Return to Irkutsk and evening train to Ulaanbaatar
Day 8 - Trans Mongolian Railway - Watch the traders at the border and catch a glimpse of your first yak in Mongolia
Day 9 - Arrive Ulaanbaatar and to Terelj National Park and Ger Camp - Relax in the serenity of the wide open steppe and learn about the nomadic way of life
Day 10 - Ger camp and return to Ulaanbaatar - A last chance to pick up some Mongolian felt slippers
Day 11 - Morning departure to Beijing
Day 12 - Early afternoon arrival in Beijin
So my plan would probably be Sochi for like 3 weeks. Then Moscow for a few days, jump on the train, 2 nights in Bejing and then fly home. 4-5 week holiday.
Edit again: The train would start the day after the Olympics finish… Would have to see what the schedule is like… LAME! lol.
Though it is pretty expensive to do this trip.
Hi everyone,
I completed the English language test. But now having a problem with getting an interview date set. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions.
I received an interview request and I logged into the Sochi website and selected a date and time. Received an email confirming the date and time, but nothing else. Interview date came and went (Oct 1).
Later realized that I elected not to receive international SMS on my volunteer application (apparently, they text you their Skype address). So I went in and changed it to yes.
But now the website won’t let me pick any date, even though it shows as open. The little circles are shaded so I can’t select it.
Tried emailing (many times) and calling but no response. Emailed .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). And the number they advertise (8 (800) 550-20-14 doesn’t seem to work when dialing from the US (either by Skype or land line). Another weird thing is the country code…I thought Russia was +7 and not +8….
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
It might be +7 8 800 550 20 14?
I can’t even find the “receive international SMS” option?
Still no interview option for me yet :(
TJ your not coming home!!
But if you were - i was thinking something like option 23 on this site. Sucks about not getting off the train at all (except for a couple of hours when it stops)
http://www.transsiberian.com.au/?gclid=CPjF9MCy_bICFZBUpgodfzEAmA
Hi everyone,
I completed the English language test. But now having a problem with getting an interview date set. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions.
I received an interview request and I logged into the Sochi website and selected a date and time. Received an email confirming the date and time, but nothing else. Interview date came and went (Oct 1).
Later realized that I elected not to receive international SMS on my volunteer application (apparently, they text you their Skype address). So I went in and changed it to yes.
But now the website won’t let me pick any date, even though it shows as open. The little circles are shaded so I can’t select it.
Tried emailing (many times) and calling but no response. Emailed .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). And the number they advertise (8 (800) 550-20-14 doesn’t seem to work when dialing from the US (either by Skype or land line). Another weird thing is the country code…I thought Russia was +7 and not +8….
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Hi Dan:
I have a suggestion and a question for you.
1) When did you sign up and take the “English” Test? I signed up in May 2012, took my test (and passed) in June. That’s all the information I’ve received! :(
As far as emailing the volunteer site, (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) It’s been hit or miss for me. Sometime they respond right away (within 24 hours) and other times I have never received a response from them.
Be careful if you are trying to contact via telephone from the US. I had a friend make a 3 minute call to ask about their status and they were billed a $47.00 Long Distance charge! YIKES! s
Good Luck and please keep us informed of your progress! It appears that this is one of the only sites that I have been able to find to share information on!
Rob
Thanks for the replies.
Funny thing happened. After posting here, I found my cell and saw three missed calls from the Moscow volunteer center (one of the operators I got a hold of earlier actually followed through and passed on my issue to a manager)! I quickly called back the number and after a couple transfers to find the person who actually called me, I finally got a hold of one of the interview managers (who spoke English pretty well).
While on the phone he rescheduled my interview date and a confirmation email popped up soon after. He promised someone would email me the Skype address (since my initial problem was with receiving international SMS).
I’d try using Skype, as its much cheaper than trying to dial from a US landline.
FYI - one of the Moscow volunteer center numbers (apparently there’s more than one) is +7 495 984 2014 (if you’re using Skype, make sure Russia is selected on the dial pad and you can just ignore the “7”).
Hope this helps others.
@ Rob: My application was complete on July 29. I got the invite to take the English test on Aug 13 and then got the invite to interview on Sept 27.
Hope this helps.
Great news Dan!
Can you tell us tho the months you applied and did the English test?
I added to my last post…July 29 was when I submitted my completed application.
I took the English test within a day or two of getting the test invite.
Hmm, I got my test invite on June 1st. Might be time to call them via skype…
Hmm, I got my test invite on June 1st. Might be time to call them via skype…
I just heard back from them today and received some updated information that may be helpful! If you applied to work in the “event services, ceremonies or sport” areas. Apparently they had to change the interview schedule for those areas to December 2012. I was also encouraged “not to worry…!”
My only concern is if there is a “requirement” to work one of the test events that will be held in March 2013, that is a really short time frame to secure the necessary requirements (i.e. airfare, accommodations, time off of work, etc.)
I guess I’ll have to continue to wait patiently regarding the Skype interview until I hear back from them in December!
Sigh…