SOCHI 2014: Sabrina Kerber has volunteered at events all over the world, but here at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games it’s a whole new adventure.

Decked out in her Sochi 2014 uniform, Kerber fits the part of a Russian volunteer, but with one slight difference. Kerber has an Australian accent.

Working at Iceberg Palace, Kerber is part of the press operations team for the Figure Skating, Ice Dancing and Short Track Speed Skating.

It’s a long way from her house in Melbourne, but Kerber said she feels at home.

“I love sport. Seeing athletes, behind the scenes and learning new sporting disciplines,” she said.

“I am interested in Russia, love the cold and the Olympic Movement so this was a good opportunity for all of that to be combined in one adventure.”

Kerber is yet to meet a fellow Australian volunteer.

“I am [staying] in the Omega volunteer village with no other Aussies and very few internationals but there is usually someone around who knows a little English or German. My three roommates are lovely, but incredibly noisy, ladies who speak no English, so my Russian is improving,” she said.

Arriving in late January, Kerber will stay until after the end of the Games.  

A spectator at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Kerber volunteered at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as a press and photo assistant at the Ski jump, Biathlon and Bobsleigh at Whistler.

To Kerber, the Olympics is an event that stops the world. 

 “I think that buzz of excitement when competition starts and we are playing for sheep stations. The Olympics are really special and have a vibe all their own that transcends politics and disaster and for a short while we will live in this tiny bubble that is so amazing.”

 “It was great seeing Dale [Begg-Smith] in the Moguls, Torah [Bright], Jana [Pittman] and the rest, including our Short Track competitor Deanna Lockett.”

 A mad AFL (St Kilda) supporter and a trained geologist and environmental scientist, Kerber said the volunteer’s uniform of a patchwork of bright colours took some getting used to.

“I have to say it initially looked like a dog's breakfast. I have had to explain that to my Russian friends, trouble was lunchtime was probably not the time to explain!

 “Our international induction told us that it represents the patchwork from the various regions so with that in mind, I really appreciate it.”

Kerber said her friends at home are in awe of her Olympic adventures.

“It makes for good dinner conversation. Some of my friends are really jealous,” she said.

With only a couple of days of competition to go, Kerber said she has been complimenting her attempts at communication with a few helpful Aussie signals.

“I have my Wallabies scarf, Socceroos hat, flag and sunglasses ready, an assortment of badges, packets of Twisties and Aussie slang book in case I have to explain something.”