A Glimpse into the Life of an International Student in Russia
Life as an international student is never as easy and straightforward as they made it seem on social media as I came to realize. When I first arrived in Russia to pursue my education, I was overwhelmed by the differences in language, culture, and climate. However, with time, I got used to it and came to even appreciate these differences. Now, I will share my experiences of living and studying in Russia.
When I first arrived in Moscow, everything seemed unfamiliar and intimidating, from the language on the airport signs to the biting cold as I stepped out of my plane. It was so different from what I was used to in my country Nigeria, that for the first few weeks, I felt like a fish out of water.
Everything was new and unfamiliar and the Russian winter was the biggest shock. Although I had read about the sub-zero temperatures, no amount of preparation could fully prepare me for my first snowstorm. I remember the first winter, I was always bundled up in layers and layers of clothing and yet still feel like I was inside a freezer. Over time, it got better with me investing in a better winter gear, and now I even find the snow charming.
The Russian language was, and is still, one of the most intimidating aspects of my life in Russia. Russian is a difficult language to master and it was a struggle to communicate. In my first few weeks, I found it difficult to complete simple tasks like grocery shopping or asking for directions.
After a while studying the language and practicing with my classmates and dormmates, it felt like an achievement to do simple tasks and being able to have simple conversations, albeit filled with mistakes. Well, as a foreigner, mistakes are inevitable, and it even made my Russian friends, teachers and locals I came in contact with laugh. After years living here, I would say my Russian is still a bit poor because of lack of usage, but I can confidently say that although I struggle with some tasks, I am able to navigate most situations I find myself.
Finding my footing in Russia is a set of challenges and adventures on its own. It starts from figuring out public transportation to grocery shopping in bustling markets, every day felt like an opportunity for exploration. The Moscow Metro became my lifeline and although I still find it complicated, it allowed me to go about the city with ease.
I remember my first trip on the Metro like it was yesterday. The colourful murals and ornate stations took my breath away as I passed through crowds of commuters. It was a lesson in patience as I learned to stand firm against the rush of people during work hours. With each ride, I grew more confident in my ability to navigate this huge city.
Finding a job as a foreigner was another nightmare altogether. It was difficult to find a job because many jobs require at least basic Russian proficiency. My first job was as an English teacher to kindergarteners and it was challenging to say the least. It was difficult to teach kids who only speak Russian and coupled with the fact I could not speak the language; it was a disaster. Looking for work in Russia also taught me resilience because I had lots of rejections after that. I came to realize that it is not easy to get a job as a student in Russia.
Academically, studying in Russia has been both rewarding and challenging. The education system is different from what I was used to back home. In Nigeria, classes are often face-to-face lecture with the professors, with less attention on group work and interactive sessions. At first, I struggled to adapt to this style of learning, I was overwhelmed by the pattern of learning, feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information presented in each lecture and the method of assessment which also I was not used to. I was expected to talk and give my opinions in class, presentations in class were daunting to say the least because it was totally different from what I was used to.
However, as I settled into my studies, I started to appreciate the knowledge offered by my professors, and I found myself engaged in discussions about topics that fascinated me. Group projects became an opportunity to interact with other students and get to know them.
One particularly memorable project was when one of my professors invited us to a conference she was involved in and it was during these moments that I truly felt the value of studying abroad which is not just gaining theoretical knowledge but from real-life experiences and discussions with peers.
Getting used to living and studying in Russia meant embracing cultural differences that were both fascinating and perplexing at the same time. It took some time for me to get used to some of the differences in culture that I encountered. For instance, in my home country, it was unheard of to address a professor only by their first name but here in Russia, the professors, encourage students to address them by their first name which I personally think is their way to make the students feel comfortable and included in class.
Another surprise was the warmth and hospitality of Russians. It was a bit of a stereotype that Russians are cold and not accepting of foreigners, but it was not as if feared because I realize that when you get to know them, they are welcoming to foreigners. Some of my Russian friends are so eager to help and assist with any issues that I had. Not just the Russians, other foreigners too like the Chinese, Taiwanese and others I met were all so nice and welcoming that I felt comfortable and settled in my life in Russia.
While there are many challenges, there are also happy and rewarding aspects of my time in Russia. As a foreigner, it is easy to feel alone and homesick. At first, I struggled to adjust to the environment or even make new friends. It was difficult because of my nature as an introvert and inability to go out and make new friends and connect with people. My life was simply from school, to work and then back to my dormitory. However, I was lucky to meet a fellow Nigerian in the dorm who made me less alone the first few days in Russia. It took a long time but as I stepped out of my comfort zone, I met people that made life easier and less lonely.
I was able to attend events and festivals hosted by HSE and focused on cultural exchange, where I met both local students and fellow international students. We shared our experiences, celebrated our differences, and learned from one another. One memorable event was the HSE UNITY FEST where each student displayed their culture, brought a dish from their home country and also showed their national dances and music.
One of the most emotionally challenging aspects of living in Russia is celebrating the holidays alone without my family. For many students like me, the holiday is a depressing season because it reminds us of family gatherings and cultural festivities that feel out of reach.
During my first Christmas holiday, I was filled with homesickness. Watching my course mates and dorm mates discuss about going home made it more painful. Even posts from friends back home, celebrating their holiday get-togethers and activities on social media only deepened my loneliness. Fortunately, it wasn’t so bad because I had my sister and friend with me here in Russia, we decided to create our own small comforts by going to the Red Square to see the beautiful lights and decorations, having a girls’ night to binge-watch some of our favourite series also helped a lot. Although I couldn’t replicate the warmth of being physically with my family, calling family and friends back home made me feel connected to the holiday spirit.
Thinking about my journey so far, it’s clear that living in Russia has been an interesting and rewarding experience. The challenges I faced pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow as a person. While there have been moments of homesickness and frustration, they have been outweighed by the joy of discovery and connecting with people from different countries. As I continue on my journey in Russia, I am excited to find out what the future holds for me.
In sharing my story, I hope to inspire fellow international students that are starting their own journeys abroad. I advise you to embrace every moment, cherish the friendships you make, and remember that every challenge is simply another step toward becoming who you are meant to be.
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