Syrian student Maya Saoud: “Of course SPbU was my first choice”

When Maya finished school, she received her General Secondary Education Certificate with a 99% average. Maya says that back then she had not yet decided to study in Russia, but studying medicine had been her dream since childhood. So she decided to spend a year preparing for medical college at Tishreen University in the beautiful coastal city of Latakia. “During that year we focused on anatomy, biology, chemistry and other subjects that are the basis of medical science,” Maya explained.

In Russia she also plans to study medicine and obtain a specialist degree. In her spare time Maya plays the violin, watches films and reads books; her favourite authors include Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Anton Chekhov, Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud.

When did you realise that you want to learn Russian? How did you become interested in Russian language?

In Syria, in grade 7, you can choose to study either Russian or French, and I chose French, unfortunately. At the time, I had no idea that I'd be studying in Russia one day. However, I have loved learning languages since I was a child and for me Russian language seemed fascinating and useful, I also used to see a lot of Russians in my city, especially in summer. So I always thought to myself it would be so interesting to try and talk to them one day. This is why one summer, when I was about 14, I decided to learn the Russian alphabet. But after that summer I didn’t have much time to study Russian anymore because I was already studying three languages at school and it was hard to keep up with all of these, so until the day I arrived in Russia I only knew the Russian alphabet.

How did you find out about St Petersburg University’s Preparatory Courses?

In my country, Russian government scholarship is very famous among students. And I remember that I applied the moment I heard about it. When we apply we have to choose six universities to send our application to. I searched on the internet for information about universities in Russia and it was not hard to notice that SPbU was mentioned in every article as one of the best universities in Russia if not the best! This university caught my attention and I started to search more about it. I later found out that it is the oldest university in Russia, not to mention how many brilliant minds have graduated from it, like Dmitri Mendeleev who created the periodic table of elements, Ilya Mechnikov with his pioneering research in immunology, Ivan Pavlov the discoverer of classical conditioning and other famous people. After I finished my search, I decided which universities to put on my list. And of course SPbU was my first choice!

How are your classes organised? What do you enjoy most in the studying process?

Well, speaking about my classes, first semester is entirely devoted to the Russian language. We spend 5 hours a day learning Russian starting, from reading to writing and speaking. In class we read, practise old grammar, learn new grammar, listen to dialogues and of course we chat with each other only in Russian, so even if we don’t know all the words we try to explain what we want to say with simple words we have studied before.

Our teachers are kind and willing to help. They help us not only with the Russian language, but also with adapting to the new community we now live in. They always encourage us to visit museums, historical sites and parks. The history in these places can tell us a lot about how do Russian people think now and how they thought before… in other words, we can understand their mentality and this is so important for us as students and as foreigners living here.

Actually, we went on a trip with our teachers to Peterhof Palace, Peter and Paul Cathedral and they gave us tickets to the Hermitage! I am so happy to be their student and who wouldn't be?!

What interesting things have you learned about Russia?

For example, I knew that Russia is the biggest country in the world and that it has borders with China and North Korea near Vladivostok, but I didn’t know that there is a railway from Moscow to Vladivostok and it happens to be the longest railway in the world! It will take you only seven days to arrive to your destination.

Also, a Russian friend once told me that it would take me six years to see everything in the Hermitage museum if I spent two minutes on each exhibit! Another fun fact my friend told me about the Hermitage is that cats are employed there full time, they protect the palace from mice and each cat has a passport with a personal photo.

We all know that Russia is a cold country but did you know that the Russian city of Yakutsk is the coldest inhabited place in the world! On the other hand, there is Sochi with a subtropical climate… Well, apparently Russians can adapt to anything!

I was also amazed at how many similarities there are between Russian and the Middle East culture where I come from, such as hospitality, belief in superstition and the importance of family! Surely I have heard that Russians do not smile at strangers... Well, that is true to a certain point.

What is more, I was warned to be careful with flowers here, because an odd number of flowers is for happy occasions but an even number is for bad ones! In Russia you should count your flowers before giving them to someone.

What helps you stay motivated when learning such a difficult language?

One of the most important things that has helped me to stay motivated to study Russian language is the country itself, because when I’m surrounded by people who speak this language, I feel like I have to learn it in order to communicate with the society around me, to make friends, to be a part of the community I live in, to understand how to live the best life here and not just have a boring student life. Even though it's hard, I have to keep on going. Also, my teachers, family and close friends always support me and encourage me to study hard.

Do you have any recommendations on how to better study Russian?

I think to learn any new thing in life you must have a strong will and a good reason why you want to learn it, especially if it isn’t an easy decision like learning Russian was for me, and after that you should be ready to make it your goal.

Speaking of learning Russian, one of the most important things for me in the beginning was to get used to hearing the language, so I started watching Russian films, music, plays and trying to read books. It was really useful and entertaining at the same time.

What are your first impressions of life in Russia? Was it tough to move to a foreign country and adapt to a different culture?

When we landed in Russia and entered Vnukovo airport, I was a little nervous, but I remember how one officer smiled at us and then someone said to him that it wasn't true that Russians don't smile at strangers! I was so happy that everything went well and I understood that Russians are kind and approachable! At first, I was astonished by the beautiful buildings, forests and the whole view was an absolute beauty to me. When I took the train from Moscow to St Petersburg, I could not close my eyes for half of the journey, although I was exhausted from the flight.

Actually this train trip taught me a lot about locals, because I remember how two grannies started talking to me that day. They were so kind and sweet. When they learned that I’m from Syria, they smiled at me and said that a Syrian doctor lives in their village and that he is the best doctor out there. It meant a lot for me to hear that from them!

Speaking of culture, of course Syrian and Russian cultures are different but at the same time I think we have a lot in common! I can say that for me it was easy to adapt.

No student is expected to study around the clock, especially in a whole new country. Do you have a bucket list of places you want to visit or experiences you want to try while you are here in Russia? What have you already crossed off the list and what are you most looking forward to?

I have already visited the Hermitage three times! The State Russian Museum, Peter and Paul Cathedral, Peterhof Palace, Nevsky Prospekt and Palace Square.

In St Petersburg I have the intention to visit St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Mariinsky Theatre, Mikhailovsky Theatre, Zenit Arena and the Island Kronstadt.

I can say that I have been to a Russian party and also tried going to the cinema. I have many things I would like to do such as watching a hockey game, taking a cruise on the boat, snowboarding, watching an opera or a ballet, and I am absolutely thrilled to see white nights in July. I am so excited to visit more Russian cities in the future, like Murmansk, Kazan, Sochi and Veliky Novgorod.

Is there anything about your experience of living in St Petersburg that excites you?

I am always excited to have Russian friends, to visit new places and to learn new things about different cultures! Living in a city like St Petersburg definitely makes me want to work harder on myself, because every day here I see opportunities, which make me think about my future.

The culture, amazing places, famous intelligent people that used to live here, the city itself makes me excited to be a part of it!

What are you going to do upon completion of the Preparatory Courses? Do you plan to continue your education at St Petersburg University?

After I finish the Preparatory Course here, I have to pass the second round of the competitive selection for the Russian government scholarship to study at a educational programme in medicine. It would be so lucky to study at this University for both the preparatory courses and the undergraduate degree. I have always wanted to study medicine and to study it here, at one of the best universities in the world…  a dream come true!

How do you think learning Russian will benefit your future career?

Undoubtedly, learning Russian is the most important thing to do now, because in the short term, when I start studying medicine, all subjects will be in Russian and it will not be that simple. I need to study hard this year to make it easier to keep up with all the new information in a new language next year. In the long term, I want to complete my studies in general medicine and then specialize in psychiatry. Of course, no one knows what could happen in the future but I’m considering several options and one of them is to stay and work here in Russia. Therefore I must be fluent in Russian by that time, so I can freely talk to patients and colleagues. What kind of a doctor would I be, if I couldn’t speak to my patients in their own language!