Students from the former Soviet Union come to Branson in droves during the tourist season to meet the city's demand for inexpensive labor. The exchange students pay several thousand dollars to spend a working summer in the United States.
Some hotels generate revenue by doubling as a housing facility during the summer months.
The presence of Russian students has dramatically increased over the last two years replacing the influx of a Polish workforce. As the school session starts and demand for labor decreases a mass exodus occurs.
As in many parts of the world, Russian students have a greater grasp of our politics and popular culture than we do of them. The pictures above are from a Russian student working at the Branson Landing, a tattoo created by a Russian artist and a magazine with two Russian pop icons.
