I need some advice when living and studying in russia

[medino]

I am a international student and i will go to study at PFU in august 2007. I intend to take MD program in english medium. I am wavering between studying russian language in 1 years before enrolling in MD program in English medium and studying directly in the first year of the MD program in englsih medium. I have not decided because in one side, if i study directly in the first year of MD program so I can save time and money, but in other side, russian language is very important to communicate with russian people and practice with patient in the hospital.

Could you give me some advice? what solution i should choose?

Are there any international student choice study directly in the first year of MD course in English program ? Please tell me your experience. How can you live in russia when you don't have good russian language skill? how can you go to the bank, library, talk with professor and patient and many things......etc?

Thank you very much

[bpoichan]

hi there..

both choices are ok..
studying in english medium will not give you immunity from studying russian.. you ll have to take classes anyway to learn russian.. so by the time you ll be doing your clinical rotations.. you ll be able to speak and read some russian..
however that will all depend ON YOU .. .many students in the russian medium cant speak good russian.. and some in the english medium speak it almost fluently.. that once again will depend with whom you ll be hanging out after classes..

now.. some people think that the Russian medium is better... i know many russian medium students that were pathetically low..

so it will boil down to how hard you are willing to work..

if you are planning to go to take the usmle.. then you may want to study in english.. so that you ll familiarize yourself with the medical terminology.. in russian.. you ll have to relearn a lot of words..
anyway.. take care and good luck

[medino]

thanks bpoican, you seem don't understand my question. I mean that I should study study russian( the pre-university course) or not?


What did you choose? Did you spend your whole first year to study russian( the pre-university course) before enrolling in te first year of program in english medium?.

[Malagant]

There's also the question of whether or not that extra year will be affordable, living-wise in lovely Moksva/Moscow. I'd say that unless you have a bit of a background in Russian, taking medical school in Russian will be an uphill battle, to say the least, even having spent a year learning the language.

[applemas]

I'm not from PFU, but i'm currently study in one of the medical school in Russia (english medium) I went direct to 1st year. In my opinion, if you want to study in English medium, i don't think it's necessary to study russian language 1 year. Besides classes for medical subjects, you will have russian classes 2-3 times weekly. When you go to clinical year, your russian level will be sufficient to communicate with patients. First month in Russia will be difficult, but you can go through it with help of seniors.

[medino]

It is so difficult to come to a decision. Please give me more counsel. Thank you

[bpoichan]

Medino,

I see now that you cant read much english.. and cant make up what is written between the lines..
therefore with your limited english.. you might want and try the russian medium that d be safer for you..

[medino]

I can understand everything you wrote, bpoichan. I need your advice to see my problem in different perspectives. Thank you!

[bpoichan]

go for the russian medium..

[medino]

But I want to take USMLE test so English medium is suitable for me and i think my english skill is good enough to follow this program

[bpoichan]

if you already know what medium you ll study . .then why are you asking???

[medino]

That is what you don't understand me:mad:. I want to ask you that should I spend an extra year to study russian before studying in the first years of MD program in english medium?

I can study in class in english medium but with poor russian skill I think it is so difficult to communicate with russian people, with patient...beside studying in class, we must talk with many non-English speaking people, right?

Bpoichan, you seemed to go direct to the first year of MD program in english medium. So could you tell me your experience in your some early years? With a limitted background in russian how can you communicate daily with russian people? How can you go to the bank, library, talk with professor...etc.

Thank you, bpoichan:p

[bpoichan]

medino...

once again you did not seem to understand what i wrote above.. all the answers to your question are above.. so please look up and see it for yourself.. i dont like to reiterate myself..

and WHO told you that i started from 1st year in english medium.. you can t read between the lines ..but yet you are able to assume things.. eery!!

when you ll be in PFU .. the first days will be hard.. as you ll have to adjust.. but then everybody went through it and all was ok..
so dont worry.. all will be fine..
you are not the first nor last foreign student at PFU
so relax and take it easy..

[Mikhail]

It is understandable, you have an option to apply directly for English-medium program and also may choose studying at Foundation (preparatory) course to study Russian language and core subjects. Here, the only problem of the language is discussed. However, it is also good to keep in mind possible difference in a school background. In some countries, the school program (Bio, Chem, Math) differs from that in Russia and the difference might be not complimentary to these countries. The same point is an applicant’s grades in natural subjects. If you feel that your school program might be far from Russian one and/or your grades are not so good, do consider admission to the Foundation course. It starts in autumn and finishes in June-July. If not, I am not sure you would have a lot of problems when communicating “to the bank, library, talk with professor...etc.” The university staff and almost students do know English language. There are two bank offices on campus: from a state bank and from a private one. In the latest they do speak English. Finally, you would experience the same troubles during first months of studying at the Foundation course. But, PFU has a very good tradition of student-to-student interaction. You would easily find somebody to help you on campus. Many facilities on campus (cafes, stores, internet-clubs, …) are operated by former/current international students.
And as it is written here, you would know the language, whatever program you selected, if only you apply efforts to get it. Otherwise… There are some students who feel freedom from their parents and have a lot of fun. They spend time going to night-clubs, discos, parties, etc. Then they fail and upon returning home say “You know, Mom, Russian language is so difficult.”
To my understanding, the current students I know do care about the absence of practicing Russian, not about misunderstanding in the stores.

[jeniw13]

hi
just reading yor post it seems as though the university you speak of is actually quite friendly- the gneral feedback i've found is typically russian- as in quite miserable and scary- not too helpful to prospective students!
:eek:where are you studying and what satge are you at?
i'm probably applying to st. pete's (pavlov uni) to start in september- any details please!
I'm a caucasian female (this kind of detail seems to dictate how likely you are to get attaked) *facepalm*:p
more details please!

[applemas]

Some Russians are scary. They do not like foreigners. Why? I don't know. Probably reason might be Russia as ex-communist country.
Some Russians are rather friendly and helpful. Even though they look cold and they seldom smile, but they have warm heart. They are willing to help you if you need.