Ryan Said:

Study medicine in Russia or Study medicine in Belarus??? Which is good??? What do u suggest???

We Answered:

I have never been to Belorus, but I think that in many regards Belarus is a better country then Russia. The laws are actually enforced there, so it is very safe there, which is important for a foreigner. Belarus is more poor compared Russia, and the cost of living is supposed to be much less compared to, say, Moscow or Saint Petersburg, which is also important. I would also think that the tuition that your friend would have to pay would be less then what he would otherwise have to pay in Russia.

Yet, another thing to consider when making a choice is that in the former Soviet Union the best schools were traditionally located in major cities. The best ones are supposed to be in Moscow (there are some exceptions to this rule, but it is still a rule), the one in Minsk (capital of Belorus) should not be bad either. I would think that admission to those schools is very competitive though. Still once he gets his admission offers he may want to choose the school in the biggest city out of the options that he has. This consideration is done together with the other considerations that I mentioned above.

Randy Said:

I'm a sophomore in high school, and I want to study abroad in Russia?

We Answered:

Hi,
An exchange year in high school is a great opportunity! You should take advantage of it if at all possible. I'll work on answering your specific questions, but this website will also help you with basic information: http://www.exchangestudentworld.com/

1. Yes -- but your junior year is a better choice. That way it is easier to arrange your schedule and double up on whatever classes are needed. You will also be able to come home, enjoy your senior year and graduate with your friends.
2. Perhaps. Most exchange organizations ask you to pick your top three choices. Also, some countries require prior language study (for example, France and the French speaking areas of Belgium and Switzerland require two years of high school French). Your exchange organization will have that information.
3. Yes, it's expensive. Most programs are in the $8,000 range for a year, plus you'll need a couple of hundred dollars per month for personal/school expenses. Your program fees usually cover travel, insurance, placement with host family/school, orientations and support. Rotary is considerably cheaper, but more competitive. Your school will NOT pay for you to go on an exchange -- but many of the programs offer scholarships and fund raising help.
4. Absolutely. In addition to the benefits of learning a language, you learn the ability to interact with others in a whole different way. Many colleges and universities recognize the value of an exchange by offering preferred admissions and/or scholarships to former exchange students.
5. You SHOULD stay for an entire year -- especially if you get Russia. It's not that more expensive than a semester and the benefits are amazing. Most exchange students will tell you they are barely comfortable in their immersion language until the end of the first semester. As to making it up, that depends upon your school and the program you use. However most schools give you credit for foreign language, social studies, independent study and sometimes math and science. You may need to double up a required course (for example, American history and American government in the same year) and/or take a correspondence or summer course. Sit down with your counselor and work out a plan -- then get it in writing and signed by the counselor and principal.

While you haven't asked, I'll tell you the top three programs to look at are YFU, AFS and Rotary. Intrax/AYUSA is at the bottom of th e list and most of the others fall somewhere in between.

Here are the sites on those programs:
http://www.yfu.org/
http://www.afs.org/afs_or/home
http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYout…

Helen Said:

Is it possible for me to work while I study abroad in Russia?

We Answered:

Its possible but don't expect to earn much money. Your best bet would be to team up with a tour guide agency.

Enrique Said:

I will like to send my daughter to study medical in Russia?

We Answered:

I am not sure what the other poster is getting at but both the Cuban and Canadian medical systems are inferior to the US quality of medicare. Having had relatives who have died due to budget cuts in the Canadian system and I have visited Cuba and seen people begging in the streets to foreign tourists for money so they can get medication (Castro likes to cover that stuff up) I have found both awful. The reality is that Canada and Cuba have more universal coverage than the US in general -but if you feel that way - just move to Massachusetts and you can get the Universal coverage and the best quality care in the world. However, none of this answers your question, but let me give you a link to Russian medical schools - this one here should help you http://www.iime.org/database/europe/russ…

I would contact the schools directly because there isn't a set process for every school that is exactly the same (although in Russia the are pretty close - you should still contact each school individually). I wish you the best of luck for you and your daughter!!!

Mary Said:

I'm going to study in Russia this Nov, should I learn Russian Language?

We Answered:

It depends on your level of commitment, but I think I can safely say that you will not begin your Russian studies today and be a fluent speaker in September.

However... that's no reason not to try.

Honestly, I think you could learn some basic vocabulary, and some important grammar before you get there, and then you might be able to pick up enough while you're there to become fluent.

Study verb conjugation and noun declension, and go through the lessons on http://www.livemocha.com/ . They're not hard, and the site is free. You can do one unit per day and pick up a lot of vocab and pronunciation quickly. But you're going to learn the actual language when you're in Russia...

Enjoy!

Jessie Said:

I would like to study in Russia, please give advice.?

We Answered:

I'm from Moscow. If you do go to live in Russia for some time, I suggest you do live in Moscow (the capital city) because it's where all the culture, theaters, and fun is. The Communism no longer exists, so nothing is really "free" now. It's a Capitalist society like the US. But I'm sure those citizens who are really smart can still take certain exams and get a free tuition. But you can do something like that in the US with financial aid and scholarships too.
I'm not sure if Russian diploma is anyhow respected or validated in the USA. Russians who come to the US usually go to college all over again, especially when it comes to things like law and medicine. If you are interested in banking and finance, then the best place to study in not in Russia, but Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, France.
But why don't you enroll in an American college first and then go for a "study abroad" session for a semester? Then you could get a good sample and study as well. The best universities are in Moscow and are MGU (Moscow State University) (different majors), MGIMO (International Relations/Diplomacy) majors, and Gnesin Academy (Music majors). You can google them, they have English language web sites. Don't forget that there is a global crises and I am pretty sure that Russia, as a developing country, will be affected way stronger than US. You might want to stick to your home until the better times.