Think in a different language?

I'm currently living in America as an exchange student for 5 months.

My family and friends live in Switzerland. I only speak Russian with my family, Swiss German with my friends, and here I just speak English.

Since I watch Netflix, YouTube & Co. In German, I think that influences me a lot. I have been thinking in High German for a long time.

However, I'm afraid that my Russian will get worse and worse, as I only talk to my parents and speak Russian every other day.

I really want to think in Russian, so that I have an easier time talking to friends and relatives from Russia, for example.

How am I supposed to do that?

Unfortunately, there's no exact recipe for this, just talk to your parents more and in some situations pretend that you have to answer someone directly in Russian.

You automatically think (I think) in the language that is easiest for you. So that your thinking processes are not stopped by the fact that you do not know a word. In other words, there's nothing you can do about it other than make Russian the easiest for you. So practice. Or if you should think out loud, do it in Russian

It's the same for me but I've never forgotten a language. I don't forget something like that… Sure maybe with the grammar that can happen. If you want to write but otherwise. Don't worry. Just repeat it, talk & write often or just try to think in Russian - or listen to Russian music etc. Or videos.

How am I supposed to do that?

Very easily. Just think in Russian. You really don't need any instructions for that if you master the language. Especially not as a native speaker.

Do not worry. That doesn't affect anything. I think in all languages I can. None of them have let that deteriorate. And it's completely normal for you to start thinking more in the language you use more often.

If someone is an exchange student in another country for a longer period of time, it makes sense for a number of reasons to think in the local language as quickly as possible.

(This can happen quite quickly; in my case, it took a good two months.)

So another solution would probably have to be found.

That may be so, but it has nothing to do with the question.

But surely it has, you just don't seem to recognize it.

Then again for you the question of the questioner as a quote:

"I really want to think in Russian, so that I have an easier time talking to friends and relatives from Russia, for example.

How am I supposed to do that?"

Your personal assessment of what would be appropriate for an exchange student is out of place here, since nobody asked you for it.

Come down from your high, arrogant steed. Every user can "bring in" personal experiences, whether you like it personally or not.

The exact reading is probably not yours either. I have not eaten wisdom with spoons, hence my carefully worded statement: "There should be a different solution." For me, it's not as simple as you think the solution is. However, I can't provide any other solution, one that would differ from the Ellaalone proposal, for example. Hence my last sentence.

You do not have to judge what is "appropriate" or not.

Come down from your high, arrogant steed.

I beg your pardon? What does the indication have that your comment has nothing to do with arrogance? It's just a fact.

Every user can "bring in" personal experiences, whether you like it personally or not.

And am I forbidding you? I would like to point out that your comment is not helpful in relation to the question.

The exact reading is probably not yours either.

I could say that of you. Even quotes are ignored by you.

I have not eaten wisdom with spoons, hence my carefully worded statement: "There should be a different solution."

The FS is not looking for alternative solutions. The question is clear. You just have to read.

You do not have to judge what is "appropriate" or not.

Again to chisel in:

Your personal assessment of what would be appropriate for an exchange student is out of place here, since nobody asked you for it. The question is different. So far I personally have not given any judgment on what is appropriate and what is not.

Ciao.