Russia is reputed for traditional medical education & outstanding research achievements since the 1800s.
Russia was considered to be the most favorite destination for those who wish to study medicine abroad including Indian medical aspirants since the 1970s until China started catering to international students.
This article is developed from the students’ & parents’ perspectives in order to shed some light on the grey areas of misconception about Russia by many.

Geopolitics & Culture of Russia

Geography & related	Location: Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Area: Covering an area of 17,125,200 square km The largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited land area & bordering 16 sovereign nations. Time zones: 11 time zones (Moscow time: – 3hrs from IST). Capital: Moscow. Read more: About Russia Landscape Country Visuals
Connectivity	Well connected. Flights: daily flights. Has direct flights from Delhi. Delhi to Moscow To & Fro 35,000 INR Approx. Chennai to Moscow To & Fro 45,000 INR Approx.
Culture	Slavic European in nature which is both traditional & modern. They also have some superstitions like Indians. Watch: Over A Thousand Years Of Cultural History
Official language	Russian is the official language of the Russian Federation which emerged on the basis of east-Slavic languages.
Currency	Russian Ruble (RUB). 1 RUB = 1.05 INR. Approx. Check the Current Exchange Rates.
Proximity to India	India to Russia is around 5000 Km. Same as the to & fro distance from Kanyakumari to Delhi.
Climate	Continental Cold Climate. Ranging from -20 °C during winter to +25 °C during summers.
Development	Highly Developed & Modern. The economy of Russia is an upper-middle income mixed and transition economy. The fifth-largest national economy in Europe The eleventh-largest nominal GDP in the world, and the fifth-largest by purchasing power parity.

Lifestyle & safety

Availability of food & grocery	Good varieties of vegetables, meats, fruits, and milk products are widely available in supermarkets and local shops called “Magazin”. Even Indian grocery shops are available in various cities of Russia. Still, some have the misconception that in Russia there is a deficit of things and people stand in “Q” for even basic commodities.
Local Transport	Highly efficient & economical transportation system with a very good network to travel around Russia. Almost all modes of transport are available in Russia such as Metro, Bus, Trolley Bus, Mini Bus, Tram, Monorail, Waterways, Railways, Airways.
Indian food	Mostly continental and Russian cuisine is available in university campus canteens. However, some universities have Indian Canteen maintained by Indian contractors offering Indian food at economical rates. Indian restaurants are available in many big cities but are expensive. Self-cooking is economical & recommended.
Safety	A safe environment but late-night outings are to be avoided. Global Peace Index: Russia ranks 154^th amongst 163 countries listed where India ranks at 141. Download the Global Peace Index 2020 Pdf listing with various statics.
Leisure	Students can enjoy their leisure time visiting Parks, Theatres, Cinemas, Malls, world heritage sites, and Museums.

Cost of living comparison (2022)

The cost of living in Russia is slightly expensive when compared to India, but some cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg are quite expensive.
We compared the prices of Chennai with Krasnodar city because both these cities are with an average living expenditure in their respective countries.

Markets
	Chennai	Krasnodar	Difference
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	48.66 ₹	68.10 ₹	+39.96 %
A loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	34.06 ₹	34.40 ₹	+1.00 %
Rice (white), (1kg)	53.31 ₹	71.15 ₹	+33.46 %
Eggs (regular) (12)	60.35 ₹	74.42 ₹	+23.32 %
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	218.24 ₹	247.78 ₹	+13.54 %
Apples (1kg)	157.76 ₹	80.06 ₹	-49.25 %
Banana (1kg)	59.73 ₹	72.73 ₹	+21.77 %
Oranges (1kg)	89.26 ₹	81.27 ₹	-8.96 %
Tomato (1kg)	31.98 ₹	116.94 ₹	+265.71 %
Potato (1kg)	36.62 ₹	34.02 ₹	-7.09 %
Onion (1kg)	38.83 ₹	33.07 ₹	-14.81 %
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	29.09 ₹	35.08 ₹	+20.62 %

Transportation
	Chennai	Krasnodar	Difference
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	20.00 ₹	29.77 ₹	+48.83 %
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	1,000.00 ₹	1,488.34 ₹	+48.83 %
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	100.00 ₹	73.35 ₹	-26.65 %
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	15.00 ₹	17.54 ₹	+16.94 %
Petrol (1 liter)	77.51 ₹	50.04 ₹	-35.45 %

Rent Per Month
	Chennai	Krasnodar	Difference
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	13,406.25 ₹	21,346.99 ₹	+59.23 %
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	7,766.23 ₹	14,448.45 ₹	+86.04 %
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	32,750.00 ₹	39,334.58 ₹	+20.11 %
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	18,365.85 ₹	25,290.52 ₹	+37.70 %

Utilities (Monthly)
	Chennai	Krasnodar	Difference
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	2,481.25 ₹	6,040.53 ₹	+143.45 %
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.85 ₹	1.68 ₹	+98.28 %
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	848.63 ₹	564.77 ₹	-33.45 %

Sports and Leisure
	Chennai	Krasnodar	Difference
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	1,404.03 ₹	2,689.51 ₹	+91.56 %
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	398.33 ₹	876.01 ₹	+119.92 %
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	200.00 ₹	372.08 ₹	+86.04 %

Restaurants
	Chennai	Krasnodar	Difference
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	115.00 ₹	425.24 ₹	+269.77 %
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	1,000.00 ₹	2,126.19 ₹	+112.62 %
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	250.00 ₹	239.20 ₹	-4.32 %
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)	34.44 ₹	49.90 ₹	+44.90 %
Water (0.33 liter bottle)	15.13 ₹	24.62 ₹	+62.74 %

Most common misconceptions of the students & parents about Russia

Is Russia a complete communist country?
- No. Russia is a federal republic & currently not a communist country.

Does Russia have only a Harsh climate?
- No. Russia has a very diverse climate, all the way from sub-tropic to sub-arctic, and from desert to coasts, therefore the climate depends on the city where you choose to study medicine in Russia.

Does no one speak English even in the cities in Russia?
- Times have changed & many Russians speak English nowadays, compared to the 1990s.

Are there No Universities that teach medicine in English medium in Russia?
- Many universities have been providing courses in English medium since 1996.
- Many universities offer a complete English medium course however some might provide bilingual courses.

- NB: This video from MSMU is not for the marketing purpose of the university & this video is used only for the purpose to show that there are universities providing Medial education in English.