looking for anyone who traveled to St Petersburg in the mid-1990s

I really hope I'm posting this in the right section...

I'm currently writing a historical-fiction novel for young adults.  My main character travels to St Petersburg, from Canada, in the summer of 1995.  I'm looking for someone who would have travelled there during this time period.  Someone who came from North America would be ideal for some of my information, and someone who came from anywhere would be able to help for other bits.

What sorts of things would she have had to take into consideration before leaving?

What would she have encountered upon arrival?

As a North American, a Canadian, would she have been well-received?  Would she have been relatively safe, or the target of bullies?  Not allowed to sew her flag to her backpack?

I'm sure I will think of other questions, but thank you in advance for any answers!