Should you or should you not study abroad in Russia?
Perhaps that’s the question that has been going through your mind. If that is the case, then it’s worth taking a deeper look at what Russia could offer you as a foreign student.
Here are three main advantages of studying abroad in Russia:
1. You Get an Opportunity to Travel and Study at the Same Time
The Russian Federation is unique in the sense that it is a country that occupies two continents. If you have always wanted to travel to Europe or Asia, then Russia will be your gateway there.
The world’s largest country will give you easy access to 16 additional countries that it borders in Europe and Asia. These include Norway, Ukraine, China, Japan, and Poland among others. During your holidays, you can travel to the countries that interest you and get to experience what they have to offer. And you can do it from different geographical points in Russia.
It’s worth noting that Russia has 11 different time zones as well. So, if you are looking for biodiversity, you will find it. Additionally, Russia has over 190 ethnic groups within its boundaries. That means you will be exposed to lots of cultures that you have never encountered before.
And the long and rich history of the country means there are plenty of historical attractions that you will see throughout your studies. Additionally, you will be exposed to numerous cultures that are native to the country.
Also, there are plenty of foreign students whose cultures you will be exposed to as well. Since culture sensitivity is now a skill that you need to climb up the career ladder, traveling across Russia as you study will equip you for life after studies.
2. Russian Education Is Much Cheaper and of High Quality
Some of the world’s best universities are in Russia. And they are open to foreign students. If you want to study in a world-class education facility, then Russia offers you the opportunity to do so.
The cost of studying in Russia is also much cheaper, especially because its education is world-class. And when you compare the costs of university education in Russia vs. the rest of North America, especially the U.S., the former is much more affordable. So, if you want an affordable but high-quality education without drowning in debt, Russia is the place to be.
You should also try to apply for scholarships, which may help you study at an even lower cost. Russia usually offers some government scholarships for eligible international students. In 2019, Russia offered 15,000 such scholarships.
Furthermore, Russia offers additional perks to international students. These include discounts on transport, entertainment, and shopping.
3. You May Get a Dual Diploma
Russia is part and parcel of the educational space that it shares with the Bologna Declaration members. It has also taken steps to establish partnerships with good universities around the world thus enabling them to run joint programs.
For this reason, some of the diplomas that you get in Russia will be valid and marketable within the signatory countries. In some cases, you will get one Russian diploma and another diploma from a partnering European university. As a result, you can easily get employment in countries other than Russia.
There are currently over 45 countries that are participants in the process. These countries include the EU member states. Other non-EU countries include the U.K., China, Cambodia, Namibia, Venezuela, and Cuba.
So, if all you need is high-quality education, but you have intentions of working somewhere other than Russia, you should rest assured that your job prospects are quite good.
4. You Get the Opportunity to Learn Russian
Of all Slavic languages, Russian is the most widely spoken. And over 250 million people speak this language. It is among the top ten most spoken languages in the world, both by native speakers and by people worldwide. So, it makes sense for you to consider it as one of the top foreign languages you should learn.
The good news is that you can learn Russian as you pursue another course while in Russia. You may need to take a Russian language course for about a year before being allowed to study what you want to pursue. If you study in a public university then the language program will be free.
At other universities, the Russian language program may be offered as a course on its own, via distant learning, or during summer classes.
It pays to learn Russian as a foreign language because it can open up job opportunities in Russia and beyond. You may be hired by multinational companies with branches. You may also get jobs in businesses owned by Russians.
Alternatively, you may end up being hired in diplomatic circles due to your knowledge of the Russian language. Job opportunities may also be available if you want to be a translator or interpreter.
5. You Could Study in English
Studying Russian as a course or foreign language is a good idea. You should do it the moment the opportunity presents itself. But what if learning new languages is not one of your strengths? How are you supposed to learn?
Well, the good news is that Russia is increasingly offering some courses in the English language. A significant number of Masters Degrees are offered in this language.
That means you don’t have to learn Russian first to pursue these courses. You could always learn the language at your own pace. But the degree program you choose to do will be in a language you already know. So, you won’t have to struggle to understand what is being taught.
Obtaining higher education doesn’t always have to be expensive. You shouldn’t have to amass huge debts that will take you a lifetime to repay. And at the same time, you don’t have to compromise on the quality of education you get. That’s why you should think seriously about studying in Russia.
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