Systemic reforms in Russia at the end of the 20th century have determined the need to form an activist personality type. Its main characteristics are responsibility, independence, willingness to take risks, and an attitude to activity. One of the responses to these social expectations is an active mastering of the modern world by students in different regions of Russia, evaluation of opportunities for social growth, which are presented to young people in the countries of Western democracy. On the material of sociological research the author shows the experience of Russian provincial students, acquired in the U.S. during the participation in work programs. The monograph also examines the perception of young people from Russia and the CIS countries of their experience in higher education in Germany. The reader will find in the monograph a description of real problems faced by Russian students when studying abroad, when preparing to go abroad for work during the summer vacations, and in the process of their daily "American" life. The monograph is addressed to sociologists, teachers and graduate students, as well as to a broad student audience.