Ugandan Mr. Opendi Jeremiah Jawori shared with us his experience of studying in Russia and gave some tips to newcomers

Ugandan Mr. Opendi Jeremiah Jawori shared with us his experience of studying in Russia and gave some tips to newcomers 

1. I am Opendi Jeremiah Jawori.  A Ugandan. I first entered Russia on November 12, 2011. By God’s grace I studied until June 27, 2018. At the end of 7 years I achieved a certificate of knowledge Russian language fr om Tambov State University and a bachelor of medicine fr om Saratov State Medical University. Fr om my experiences in Russia, I will advise you these:
2. Learn to adjust; Russia is a country of its own identity. It means, its own language, culture and kind of people. I went to Russia and found things that don’t exist in my country, I searched for somethings that existed in my country I couldn’t find. I learnt to adjust to the extent that my faith could allow me. Our national food in Uganda doesn’t exist in Russia. So I learnt to eat their food that my faith and health could allow me. English is the official language in Uganda, but not in Russia. Russian is. So I learnt to adjust. In my country I didn’t like jeans trousers. When I travelled to Russia. I compromised and loved wearing jeans always because I couldn’t accept to die of cold in a foreign land. Russia like any other country will be foreign to you. It is means not your country. Therefore you won’t live as you could have in your home. You must follow their rules. Though you will live in it for short time. You must ready to adjust to their rules, compromise somethings to you knew. My first years in Russia, I was always home sick, my mind was full of home memories, I kept continuous communication with my people. But then I realized to I had 7 years to live in this country. This time won’t be replayed. I adjusted.
3. Find interest in knowing Russian culture; If you visit someone’s home, it is your work to learn his language if you got problem with his language. To be able to thrive in Russia, I advise you learn about Russia, Russian language and the people you are going to deal with. I travelled to Russia with a theoretical mindset about Russia. Whatever strange thing I saw and experienced, I took it personal. It was until I decided to behave as a citizen, learn the rules, culture and why they behave the way they behave. It eased my living in Russia. I advise you learn some common things, rules and mentalities of Russians. For example thinking about women first if you are a man, sacrificing your seat to a lady, child, or an old people in a bus or public places. Holding a door open for a lady, child or old person to enter. Giving a supporting hand to someone who has slipped on the snow. If you did otherwise you are looked at as a rude and uncultured person. Shaking hands with men while greeting them and at the end of your meeting. But remember men don’t shake hands with women until in relationship.  While making transactions in shops money is placed on the table not given on the hands. This is not racism. Placing money on your client’s hand is considered bad luck.  Not everything or word you know means to the Russians what you intended to say. In Uganda a girl is an underage female. Woman is an adult female.  In Russia a girl is a name given to any lady who still considers herself to be attractive, searchable and loveable. It is consider respect for a boy to call lady that is his mother’s age, a girl.
4.  Live a complete life, feel at home; when I just arrived in Russia. I always missed home, called home, wanted to be home at least in the spirit. I never wanted to be a part of Russia. Then it came to my mind that I had 7 years to live in this country. I decided to live a complete life and be a part of Russia.  Don’t go to Russia and say I will do this and that when I return to my home country. Are you even certain you if you will return home? Or when you will return home? Live your full life there. Function normally and fully.
5. Find interesting activities and get involved; Russia is the largest country in this planet, almost the size of Africa. Please spend your time when you can during your free time to tour and visit a lot of interesting historical, beautiful places and Russian heritage. Russia also has dangerous places, people and time when and wh ere you don’t want to visit. Spent some time to do interesting Russian sports like hockey, skating, snow fights, cold water baptism, and chicken roasting also known as shashlik.  If you are interested in whites, among the white race, Russian girls are the most beautiful. But their beauty comes with a cost. They tend to be hyper in attitude. Russians tend to keep themselves in friend circles. They protect, care and sacrifice for their members. If you are lucky to be a member of a circle, they will do anything for your good.
6. Be a part of them; Learning Russian language was one of the best things that ever happened to me in Russia. When a Russian meets you a foreigner, black who can speak his language, they feel like wow, they want to talk to you almost forever and know more about you. Learning their language and speaking is interpreted as you are interested in their culture, knowing them and being a part of them and you appreciate their identity and differences. Coming from a respected country will earn you respect, and honor among Russians only for few days. Not speaking Russian will make the few friends leave you in a few days.  It doesn’t matter if your country is not on the world map. If you know Russian language, every Russian around will want to know you and be your friend. At least your country will be known among the Russians. Having big passport has limits, but Russian language will help you maneuver your way through good and dangerous situations and places. Security is good for good citizens but not for criminals. I think Russia is a safe place to be especially if you are in the right place at the right time and you are up to date with all your needed documents. In Africa we don’t want to get involved with the police. But many times the Russian police protected me from the people. And sometimes people also protected me from the police troubles.
7. Like any other country, there are good and bad things. I had bad and good experiences. Knowing who you are. Setting up yourself plans and standard will help you to achieve what took you there. Remember it is not your country, no parents to discipline you, no brother or sister to watch your actions, you are your own role model, counsellor and guide.  Whatever you seek you will find. Though you will go through good and bad things, at some point that which you are looking for you will eventually find.
8. Beware of the things you must have in place; Russia is a country wh ere anytime any place, unexpected you will be asked for identification, documents or receipts. In general a document for prove of something. Therefore keep safe original copies of any given document in Russia. Even if it makes no sense to you because you never know when it will save you from trouble. Be up-to-date with your any document while in Russia especially student identity card, visa expiry date, passport, health insurance, registration document and immigration card etc. Russia is a place wh ere you may buy something from a familiar person. Next time you return you will be surprised to be asked by the same person show me your receipt is or else sorry I can’t help you.
9. Russians always say Russia is not Europe or Asia. Russia is in Russia. They say. If you have never been in Russia, you won’t understand this until you live there for some time. As you going to Russia remove this mentality of European promises. You will be disappointed by the things you thought Russia to be. Forget of everything you knew about Russia before you got there.  After all experiences in Russia my friends and I said Russia is a ’developed Africa’ or ‘African whites.’ You will understand this when you get there. Russia used to be a dangerous place to live in but with exposure to foreigners, they are improving and becoming friendlier.  I lived in Russia and successfully achieved what took me there, no matter what happened. Anyone else can do the same. One thing I am grateful for is Russian government for giving me opportunity to be the doctor that I dreamt of, something I couldn’t do in my country. I advise you to go live and conquer with faith not with expectations. Expectations will fail you but faith never lies. If you have your dreams go after it, don’t let what you face will bring you down.
10. God bless you and grant you the grace to finish and conquer in Russia.