Is Russia Safe For Indian Students? A Comprehensive Safety Guide

Amidst the still ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, many students from India will ask, Is Russia safe for Indian students? and the simple answer is that yes, it is safe. However, it is important to keep in mind that some factors will solidify your decision and place in this foreign country when you choose to study MBBS abroad. Russia has become a war ground now, sure - but that exists way outside the demographics of students, including Indian students who are more than 30 thousand in Russia! You can imagine the amount of strength students have with each other’s support, but also the fact that Russia shares good political ties with India makes pursuing MBBS in Russia a safe option.

We will examine further details on the matter to provide clarity to all Indian students who are asking, “Is Russia safe for Indian students?” This blog will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of pursuing your MBBS degree from the medical colleges in Russia, with practical tips to stay safe and sound in a foreign land.

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General Details and Figures Related to MBBS Admission in Russia for Indian Students

Let’s have a quick look at what Russia offers to Indian students when studying medicine abroad, before we take a straightforward dive into the concerns and answers to questions like “Is Russia still safe now?” More than 15,000 students from India are enrolled at the Russian universities to pursue their MBBS programs, which is indicative of the safety assurance among Indian students, including those who used to ask the same questions to our counsellors during free counseling sessions - “Ma'am, is Russia safe for Indian students?”

With affordable MBBS fees in Russia, students from the Indian subcontinent find a worthwhile study environment, and not to mention, easy access to the educational system of Russia. There are no hard rules on having an IELTS or TOEFL English test score to apply for the English-taught MBBS program (which is a common case with the US and EU). Look at the table below to get an overview of the MBBS education in Russia.

Coming back to our main concern and question - Is Russia safe for Indian students? While there are geopolitical concerns and instances where citizens are at risk, it is much safer for international students, including students from India, to pursue their higher studies.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Elephant in the Room

The biggest concern from parents and students alike rises from the Russia-Ukraine war, which (re)ignited in February 2022. Yes, there is a hostile atmosphere due to war, but for those who are on the borders of Russia and near Ukrainian territories. Still, for the safety concerns, keep an eye on cities like Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, as these have been under attack, confirmed by the Russian government, Ministry of Defence.

What Kind of Support Does the Government Offer to Students?

Does the government have an answer to the question - Is Russia safe for Indian students? Yes, they do, in fact, both the Indian government and the Russian government do. Indians can assure themselves that they are safe in Russia, as one of the major (political) factors is the strong ties between the countries. On one side, the Indian Embassy in Moscow (along with consulates in other major Russian cities) offers assistance during emergencies (check MADAD Portal); on the other hand, several Russian medical colleges have Indian Student Associations (ISAs) and cultural clubs that keep students at ease.

Russian Medical Colleges: The Campus Safety & Infrastructure

The concern is particular to the universities, too, when students and parents ask, Is Russia safe for Indian students? We get it, and that is why, here we are listing down some of the protocols followed by medical colleges in Russia to ensure the safety of all their students (including Indian students):

• 24/7 CCTV
• Biometric Access Controls
• Student IDs
• Hostel Wards
• Security Guards
• Nighttime Police Patrols
• Women-Only Blocks
• Student Support Services
• International Student Offices

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Becoming Smart and Mindful, Whether in Russia or Anywhere Else

Whether you apply for the MBBS admission in Russia or any other country, if you are not aware of the world around you, there are potential chances of danger and harm, making it invalid to ask and get the answer to your question, “Is Russia safe for Indian students?” Honestly speaking, Russia or any other country is safer than any other country, and as dangerous as any other region with even higher crime rates. The key is to be mindful and aware of how you are choosing to live.

Certain parts of Russian cities can be tricky, especially at night or in isolated locations. It is advisable to avoid roaming the streets alone, especially after dark hours, and to avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods. Carrying your copies of passport, visa, and registration papers will also be safer as an international student. Additionally, to use the taxi services, rely on trustworthy ones like Yander or Uber.

An Unpopular Opinion: Learn the Russian Language and Adapt to the Culture

Here’s an unpopular opinion on the concern over the question: Is Russia safe for Indian students? Learning Russian is beneficial, not only when students need to complete their internship during the final year of their MBBS program, where they interact and treat local patients of that particular location, but it also comes in handy when they are talking to local citizens and their fellow Russian students (batchmates). In one of the real instances, some students did not know Russian, and they were tricked into signing documents, which forced them to fight in the military. Also, learn to adapt to the culture of another country when you stay with its citizens. This does not mean you follow religious or other practices, but you simply respect them, and quite realistically, you avoid such kinds of conversations with anyone.

Final Thoughts

Students can be assured of finding a safe environment, especially those wondering, Is Russia safe for Indian students? Russia has been providing quality education to all students from different countries who come from different walks of life, including those from entirely different cultural backgrounds. It has accommodated thousands of students from India and lakhs of students from all over the globe. The key takeaway will be to keep a distance from the war-induced zones, conversations that are too political or borderline threatening, people who are suspicious, and being in touch with your peers, student support service associates, and even government officials. This will make your experience of pursuing an MBBS in Russia safe and sound, and help you achieve the objectives you want.

Want to learn more about pursuing MBBS from Russia? Contact Education Vibes now!