Travel is not only about physical movement, but also immersion in a new culture and environment. The experience of a young villager Abduli from the Gambia who decided to go to Russia to get an education illustrates how important it is to be prepared for the surprises and difficulties associated with adapting to an unfamiliar country. From the very beginning of his journey, starting from the airport in his native country and ending with his arrival in Nizhny Novgorod, he faced various cultural and social barriers. In this article, he will share his details of his journey, which was a real test of patience and ingenuity for him, as well as important lessons that I learned from this fascinating and sometimes comical story.
This article is available in Russian.
From Gambia to Nizhny Novgorod: A Journey of Education
The life of a young village boy from Gambia in the pursuit of education journeying to Russia was marked by various cultural and social factors at every transit point down to his final destination, Nizhny Novgorod. Not knowing much information about the journey, coupled with my eagerness to be in Russia for studies, I was not prepared for the unforeseen eventualities along the journey. The trip from Gambia to Russia could fill a satirical novella.
The Challenges of a Novice Traveler
Anyway, I won’t dwell much on what happened at our home airport because it would provoke my instinct. Growing up in a village in a Gambian context typically narrates my level of novice with certain technological devices. This time around, I was not in the space of Gambia; I did not know that traveling through various transit points or countries would present numerous challenges such as language barriers and cultural adjustments.
Arrival in Russia: A Lesson in Navigation
Upon arrival at the Russian airport, I did not know that I should wait to pick my luggage on the “rotating belt.” I thought I would pick my luggage at the entrance or somewhere else. In short, I was a novice about where and when to get my belongings. Eventually, I just wanted to be smart by following the queue of fellow travelers for the necessary security check-ups. I fulfilled all due procedures until I finally found myself outside the entrance of the airport.
A Funny Oversight
It was late at night, and the man who came to pick me up was on the other side of the entrance. A taxi driver who spoke basic English offered me his phone to call my welcomer. When I finally saw him, he quickly ordered me to board the car to go home, and it was at that moment I remembered that I had not picked up my luggage. That sounded funny and silly to me; I had mistakenly thought of the airport as my own. I quickly realized that digitalization and my novice status were hindering factors in my actions.
Retrieving My Belongings
We tried together to go back inside to access my luggage, but it seemed impossible for some time. Eventually, I was allowed to return to the main hall and check on my luggage on the “rotating belt.” As I entered the hall, I waited for my luggage to arrive and carried it outside. I finally made it to my destination, where I spent my first night in Moscow.
A New Chapter Begins in Nizhny Novgorod
The following morning, on a Thursday, I boarded a train to Nizhny Novgorod for Lobachevsky University. I arrived in Nizhny much later when the administrative staff had closed for the day. An old man offered me a lift from the train station to the main entrance of the university. As I disembarked from the car, I was worried about where to spend the night. I saw a girl who claimed to be from Nigeria exiting the university campus toward my direction. I hesitated several times before finally seeking her attention. She introduced herself and mentioned that she was a student from another university, visiting a friend. She voluntarily helped me hire a taxi to Yes Hostel, where I spent the night. The next day, on Friday, I visited the administrative building, offices 306, 303, and eventually 305 for the necessary procedures.
My journey has successfully taught me that moving to a new land demands much preparation and orientation.
That's the end of the story, friends. What would you recommend to a student from the Gambia? Write in the comments!
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