My role as a teacher working with foreigners is not only to provide language training, but also to support their adaptation, so students from Nigeria, Russia, Ivory Coast and Ghana were among the participants, which made our event a real cultural bridge. Yesterday, a special event took place at our University – a meeting of the My Identity conversation club dedicated to the history of adaptation of foreign students in Russia called The Life and Adaptation of Foreign Students in Russia.
We exchanged stories and experiences of life in Russia, creating a relaxed and open atmosphere for dialogue. This evening turned into a celebration of the soul and stimulated the participants to deep introspection and mutual understanding. The purpose of the meeting – to inspire and educate through the exchange of experiences, problems and joys of adaptation in Russia – was fully achieved, enriching all those present with new valuable views on life and education in a foreign country.
This article is available in Russian.
Student Meeting of My Identity Conversation Club
What were your first impressions of Russia when you first arrived, and how have they changed over time?
Dominic (Nigeria): Before coming to Russia, I had mostly negative thoughts. Influenced by the public opinion, I didn't know much about Russia, except that it wasn't good, and I had very bad impressions of it. But the Nigerians who returned from Russia told good things. It was difficult to leave, but I met wonderful people in Russia. My initial ideas were wrong. Now I love this country.
Danila (Russia): Why did you decide to move to Russia?
Dominic: I got a scholarship to study in Russia. Studying abroad was my dream.
Christiana (Nigeria): Just like Dominic, I had a bad impression, but when I arrived, everything turned out to be completely different. I realized that my idea of Russia was wrong.
Danila: What year did you move to Russia?
Christiana: in 2021.
Josephine (Ghana): In the beginning, I came to a small Russian town. We drove home on it at night, and I thought, "Oh, it's almost like in Africa." So it wasn't what I expected. But the next day I realized that Russia is not like Africa.
Danila: When you started learning Russian, was it difficult?
Josephine: It was difficult, but after learning the alphabet it became easier.
Andrew (Nigeria): My first impression is that Russians don't smile, they are cruel. But now I'm forming my opinion about a particular person: I've met bad and good people, just like in any country. Some of them are racist, but most of them are good. They are not very friendly in Ufa. The taxi driver told me, 'Go back to Africa. You're not from Russia'. [During the conversation, we found out that the taxi driver himself was also a foreigner].
Can you share any tips for learning Russian more effectively?
Josephine: Understanding the rules is the key to success. Effective communication is impossible without knowledge of grammar. Proper understanding of grammatical concepts and regular practice are necessary for improvement. The more you talk, the better.
What cultural norms or rules of etiquette in Russia have caused you the greatest surprise or seemed difficult to you?
Andrew: There were a few moments when I was caught off guard. Firstly, adaptation to the winter season. Secondly, understanding religious differences, for example, celebrating Christmas on January 25th and Easter on different dates compared to the Catholic calendar used in my native country. I once talked about Easter on a Catholic calendar day, and people were stunned. It was then that I learned about the Orthodox calendar. Thirdly, Russians are distinguished by their directness: they say exactly what they mean, without beating around the bush. In my culture, we tend to talk about things from a slightly different perspective. Finally, the culture of walking surprised me very much. Walking a lot was something new for me.
Maria (Russia): I know what you're talking about. One day I was walking with a friend from Ghana, and after that she told our mutual friend: "Masha and I walked so much!" But for me it was just a walk in the park.
Danila: How long did it take you to adapt?
Andrew: I haven't fully adapted yet. I am still learning the language and adapting to Russian society.
Dominic: What surprised me was the socio-cultural life, such as walking culture and the relationship between men and women. For example, in Nigeria, if you see a man and a woman walking down the street together, they are most likely married. This is not the case in Russia. At first it seemed strange to me. Besides, I think Russians walk very fast.
How did you manage to find a job or go to get an education in Russia? Do you have any advice for those who want to go to study or work in Russia?
Dominic: The search for opportunities was not an easy process. To find a job, it is important to learn how to do it from African friends in Russia, and then apply through Russian-language websites. Many people underestimate the importance of language skills, but it is extremely important. Without this, you may end up in a low-paying, unsatisfying job.
Danila: What jobs are available to foreigners in Russia?
Dominic: I can't apply for a teaching position [Dominic worked as a teacher in Nigeria] because I don't speak Russian well enough to get a job teaching English.
Andrew: Regarding education, I found this opportunity on the Internet and applied directly through the educational institution's website. As for the job, I had a negative experience working in a low-paying position, where I faced verbal abuse. I reported this to my superiors, but I was eventually fired myself. The company sided with another person because of personal connections. The salary at the school where I currently work is low, but the working atmosphere is favorable. However, without knowledge of the language, your options are limited. My advice is: before coming here, spend a year learning Russian, and when looking for a job, look for companies that are known for their friendly attitude towards foreigners, instead of relying only on the recommendations of friends.
Josephine: I found vacancies on various websites on my own. One of the tips is to know your place at work. Even if you are good at what you do, people perceive you as a foreigner. I work as an assistant at a dental clinic and am fully focused on my duties. I maintain professional relationships at work, but I don't seek deeper connections because, as a foreigner, it may be difficult for me to find another job if something goes wrong. It is also an opportunity to practice the language.
Have you experienced culture shock in Russia? How did you deal with them?
Dominic: As for the way of life in society, it was a shock for me to realize that no matter how well you do your job, being a foreigner can sometimes overshadow your achievements.
Josephine: Cultural differences such as the dress code are very important. It is not uncommon to see people in transparent clothes over contrasting underwear here, which can be a real culture shock. You won't see that in Africa.
Danila: Can you tell us about any specific cases that highlight this cultural difference?
Josephine: I remember the situation with the teacher who came to class in a transparent blouse. We, the classmates, laughed, but we couldn't openly discuss it. This case highlights cultural differences in norms and expectations.
What places in Russia do you think a beginner should definitely visit?
Josephine: I think Moscow is because of its historical significance, as well as Sochi.
Danila: First of all, it's Moscow, then St. Petersburg, perhaps Rostov-on-Don [because it's very beautiful] and Nizhny Novgorod.
How do you deal with bureaucratic procedures in Russia, such as applying for a visa, registering, and so on?
Josephine: The education system is designed for students. The university does everything for us. You only need to submit documents, this is a normal process, you pay money, just like everywhere else. It can also be noted that in Russia you extend your visa every year, while in some other countries you are issued a visa for several years at once.
Andrew: It's very, very difficult. But, of course, the university did everything for us, I just had to wait until everything was ready.
What would you recommend to make friends and create a social network in Russia?
Josephine: I don't have any specific advice. Just go ahead and make contacts. Appreciate the people you have; having a large number of acquaintances does not mean having good connections. Go your own way.
Andrew: If you are not sociable, it will be difficult for you to find a common language with Russians. It's better to go to events than to spend time on the Internet.
Daniel: Do you have more friends on social media or in real life?
Josephine: I think I have more friends in real life than on the Internet.
Danila: Perhaps your friends will find you on their own. You need to be friendly, and people will come to you on their own.
Have you faced security or legal problems in Russia and how have you dealt with them?
Josephine: I had an incident. I was deceived, and I went to the police, but the amount stolen was not that big, and therefore they did not deal with it. I tried to buy one thing in Moscow, the seller sent me the track number of the parcel, I paid, but the goods were never shipped.
Vera: When I was in Moscow, a story happened to me. I had to pay, but I didn't do it, and then the inspectors came in and demanded a fine of 1,000 rubles. I was supposed to show my passport, but I didn't have it. A Russian came up to me and gave me 1000 rubles. I handed them over and they let me in. [As it turned out, this happened because Vera's friends told her that travel in Moscow was free].
What is the Result
So, the meeting of the My Identity conversation club confirmed the value of sharing cultural and personal experiences between students from different countries. Through the stories of adaptation in Russia, the participants not only strengthened their adaptation strategies, but also enriched mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity. This evening was a reminder that meetings of this kind play a key role in forming an open, multifaceted university community where everyone can find support and understanding.
And what do you think is the importance of cultural exchange for the personal growth of students, and how can universities contribute to the activation of this process? What activities and activities can contribute to a deeper understanding and friendship between students of different cultures? Write in the comments and join our meetings!
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