Before my arrival I had maintained constant contact with the employees from the International Office, who were always eager to help, supported me with all visa-related issues and arranged a room in the student dormitory for me. The shared room was rather tiny, the individual spaces little and the interior humble. Especially the kitchen facilities and the bathrooms left something to be desired, but considering the very low price I was more than content to live there.

When I came to Omsk in early February, it was freezing cold, including many days that hit -20°C, and it took me a while to fully adjust to the Siberian climate. My overall experience of the city was absolutely positive. With a population of more than one million, Omsk doesn’t lack a variety of theatres, cafes and parks, so I always found something new to explore and to keep myself occupied. Moreover, I was given the opportunity to participate in numerous excursions and trips all around the city and its surroundings, all of which were organised by OmSU.

Studying at the university was a very pleasant, yet challenging experience. On my first day I was introduced to the dean of my faculty who I then could always turn to whenever difficulties arose. My professors knew that I was foreign, were really thoughtful and ever ready to explain complicated things in simple terms if needed. Finding friends among my classmates was probably the toughest problem I had to face. Russians tend to be quite reserved and withdrawn at the beginning, so I had a hard time making acquaintances and sometimes I felt a little bit lost or even lonely.

However, despite the few problems I encountered, studying in Omsk was a rewarding and memorable experience that helped me grow as a person. Not only did I gain a great insight into the Siberian lifestyle but I also made friends with people from all over the world. It’s a pity I had to leave early, but I’m sure I’ll be back one day!