the most important thing is to have a warm and water stain-resistant clothing and boots that can withstand at least - 30-35 degrees Celsius. Since the roads in Russia poorly cleaned it may be ice-crusted ground, so you should think about the sole on the shoe. You may want to take the usual medication for you. In Russia, no one comes to the shoes in the house, so think about what you're being shod in the house. Usually people use socks or slippers. As you will learn in a language school, think about stationery. Of course you can buy it in Russia too and think about mobile communications and the Internet. If you are staying with friends, everything else they prepare yourself for you. As for etiquette ... you can feel free enough in this regard. ^_^ Just be polite, ask permission to use something if you did not get it earlier. Do not be afraid to say directly what you want. Also, please be aware of the fact that a large part of the population does not know English. You almost never find signs or labels in English

It won't be as cold as you think. You can buy winter clothing there. It's not a problem. As Marina mentioned, we don't wear shoes inside the home except for house shoes. I can't say anything about etiquette. I think generally it's the same as in your country. Usually Russians are very tolerant of foreigners. So, no worries. Everything will be fine :)

Hi , i am Eduard and i live in 250 km from Novosibirsk . We have the same weather mostly . It is Siberia , and at about 20th of November could be the first frost over here . I mean 20 degree below zero and lower . But the start of November could be pretty wet , the pavement could have puddle with ice , it could be wet snow falling . the moist weather at autumn is dangerous for getting flu . then temperature is lower the 15 degrees below zero , the flu stop to spread , so we prefer at winter time -30 then -3 . Last couple winters were warm , and it was not so nice . December could be very could , but mostly it is time snow falling . Heather systems at city houses are turned on at the middle of September, so inside a house should be pretty comfortable , although in some apartments the heater system does not work well , any way i know some people who complain on that circumstance / Novosibirsk has 4 hour difference with Moscow , +4 hours , the airport Tolmachevo is located in 40-60 minutes of driving from the center of city , till 22 you could use a city bus , to get center , later on a taxi . Nearest regional city to Novosibirsk are Kemerovo and Tomsk both in around 250 km. ( 5 hour by bus). Tomsk is very interesting city , i would advice you to have trip to it.it is very easy to do . The rest big cities are much further . Krasnoyarsk , Omsk are in around 800 km from Novosibirsk . The famous lake Baikal is in 1700 km . It is pretty far . Else there is Mountain Shoria in Kemerovo region , the place mountain skiing , but it is in around 500 km from Novosibirsk

I think all what you should worry about is weather. People who's ready to be a host for foreign people usually try to do everything to provide you comfortable live conditions and have positive attitude to foreign guest. You will have to try hard to offend them =) Welcome to our city =)

The weather in early November in Siberia is like your winter so you can buy wharm clothes there. Rely on to host family. Good luck!