Student life in Russia
If you have decided to study in Russia, you must know what a student’s life in Russia is like. So, to give an idea, let’s have a look at students experience while studying in Russia:
- Russia today is almost at the center of the Educational world and therefore people from across the world go there to pursue higher education. So, first of all you will never feel like an outsider. And also because of such international student inflow, you can easily find the halal food in Russia.
- If you love to travel, then both rural and urban landscapes of Russia can be ideal locations to explore and understand the cultural heritage of Russia. Every city in Russia has its own attractions. For instance, the Culture heritage of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the natural beauty of Kazan (Sport’s capital).
- You will get ample opportunities to study Russian during your study in Russia. Initially it might be a bit tough for you to carry on with the normal everyday conversations in the beginning but with time you will start to understand the language and then it will get pretty easy for you.
- Students in Russia are given a lot of additional benefits like transportation tariffs, various discounts in fitness clubs, swimming, museums, cinemas, theaters and much more.
Kazan is the best city in Russia for foreigners to live, work and study
NO.1
Modern Russia
Moreover, freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution. People of all faiths, including Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, coexist peacefully in every city across Russia. In Saint Petersburg alone, you’ll find churches, cathedrals, mosques, synagogues, temples, and houses of worship for 42 faiths.
This unique diversity allows students from absolutely anywhere to feel comfortable in their new country and easily adapt to student life.
Housing
Universities in Russia offer accommodation to all foreign students with full-time education. Students studying with distance education are offered accommodation for examination period. Cost of accommodation is 300 – 6 000 rubles (approximately $5 – $90) per month; the price depends on comfort level in a specific university residence hall. Fees can be paid monthly, every term or once a year according to specific university internal regulations.
If you do not want to live in a university residence hall, you can rent a room or an apartment, which will cost you about 10 000 rubles (approximately $150) for a room in a shared apartment and 25 000 – 35 000 rubles (approximately $370 – $520) for apartment in big cities. It will be much cheaper in non-metropolitan areas.
Prices
Russian national currency is Russian ruble (RUR). Approximate exchange rates for the beginning of 2019 are:
- 1 USD – 66,86 rubles
- 1 EUR – 77,21 rubles
- 1 GBP – 85,29 rubles
All payments in Russia are accepted only in rubles. You can exchange currency in any bank, but note that international credit cards are accepted anywhere. To receive a money transfer you can use your credit card or Western Union.
Here are some main expenses: studying, accommodation, health insurance, food and transport.
For 2018 the living wage in Russia is 10 451 rubles (approximately $160), it is the minimum you spend for food and pocket money. But keep in mind that prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg are much higher than in non-metropolitan areas, where your expenses will be lower.
It should be noted that students often have discounts up to 50% in museums, cafes, sport and fitness clubs, shops. Travel by public transport for students is also cheaper.
Transport
If you choose accommodation in a residence hall on campus, you’ll live near the university. If you’ll live far from University you should buy student travel card for using public transport.
Considering student discount your expenses to travel by metro in Moscow will be 395 rubles per month and to travel by surface transport – 260 rubles per month. Total sum is only 655 rubles (approximately $10). Have in mind that in other cities cost of travel will be even lower.
Free time
In Russian Universities student life is very active and interesting – you can participate in conferences, exhibitions and science or educational seminars.
You can also take part in sport activities, in each university there are basketball, football, volleyball and other teams.
Cultural live is also reach: there are creativity competitions, beauty contests, and dance events run by university students.
Life for students in Russia far exceeds the four walls of the classroom. There are plenty of ways to spend your free time, get to know other students, make new friends, and learn new things.
Peter Matthews
BA Literary Studies
“I’ve met some of my best friends through living on campus. It was a really great way to understand the community and integrate myself into it. ”