Patrick Buzzard, NASA representative to Russia, shows RT his Moscow office and speaks about his work, colleagues and living in the country.

Patrick was brought up in a NASA family, so choosing a career for him was an easy task.

“I grew up with it – my father worked for the space program,” he said. “I remember a shuttle launch from 1981. I found it exciting.”

Now Patrick works for NASA in Moscow, particularly enjoying the importance of his job.

“I know I’m making a difference,” Buzzard said. “I’m helping Russians understand Americans better, and I’m helping Americans understand Russians better. It’s kind of liaison role. I’m also working on policy issues. I know what I’m doing now is going to set a better future for the next generations.”

Patrick is happy and proud about the atmosphere at NASA.

“Sometimes it’s competition, but I think it’s like a family,” he said. “You can be frustrated with your brother or sister or your parents, but at the end of the day you’re still a family, you’re still working together.”

However, Moscow weather sometimes can be a bit depressing.

“Cold and darks winters for me were always a challenge. I’m from Texas, so I didn’t see snow very often at all,” Buzzard said.