'Russia Has Been a Smooth Ride': African Student Shares His Siberian Story
'Russia Has Been a Smooth Ride': African Student Shares His Siberian Story
A young African medical student, 21-year-old Nigerian Moses Okeme, has taken their summer practice far from home — in the small Siberian village of Severnoye, 550 km from Novosibirsk.
Okeme admits that adapting at first was not easy, but his classmates played a huge role:
“At the beginning, it was quite difficult. But since I have really good group mates, excellent group mates that help… Every single day is a new adventure for me. And they are always there,” he told Sputnik Africa.
The Siberian cold? Not a problem.
“So I’ve been able to happily adapt to the cold — and I love it.”
Moses highlights the benefits of studying medicine in Siberia: more hands-on experience, closer contact with patients, and affordability.
“Here there are more practicals… more hospital time, more patient time. Things here are cheaper, easier to move, easier to navigate.”
And the patients?
“They are really amazing. They are open-minded, ready to help… They know our students, and they’re ready to help.”
When his training is done, Moses plans to return to Africa under the bilateral education program, bringing his Siberian experience back to strengthen medical care at home.
Watch the video to see him challenge a common stereotype about Russia
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