We both came to the conclusion that the issue with this thread is that OP is in a very sheltered position and only experienced russia from a very priviliged point of view. Also OP seems to only compare everything to nigeria which suggests that he is overexaggerating how good things are because anyone who has traveled a lot knpws that many things that are said to be grwat and amazing is mediocre at best when compared to many other countries.
Apparently russia is generally ok for black people and western europe is more racist because there are too many immigrants there.
I can personally confirm this, however I have experiemced racism by russians but only when they speak russian and I understand basics of russian. Specifically working class people tend to be racist, the issue here is that OP hangs around academic and well to do people which is not average for russia.
Russian police are corrupt, in fact my friemd said that the biggest issue with russia is corruption. Failed potential, could be one of the richest countries in the world but it's just extremely corrupt.
Russians are depressed people and this caused by lack of oppoturnity as most people feel like they've failed in life as russia is a very judgemental society so when they see an academic person like OP of course they put him on a pedestal. I can personally confirm that russians are not happy people based on my experiences.
My friend said that a huge issue with russian people is generational trauma caused by neverending oppressive regime, if you criticize the government you do get in trouble and people have no slirit to fight against it because they think the battle has always been lost. Everubody knows how corrupt and oppressive the country is but they choose to ignore it.
Putin is not popular, he's seen as a corrupt and oppressive dictator but people feel like that's just how it is and nothing can be done about this. I've personally never heard russians say good things about putin.
Russian society revolves around working, people don't really express themselves and day to day life can be very meaningless and depressing.
Russians drink heavily, alcoholism is socially acceptable and it's how a lot of leople cope with depressing life there.
My friend said that unlike what OP said, young and middle aged russians are the rudest, most unfriendliest and that russians are generally rude.
Based on my personal experiences russian children and teenagers are very rude and nasty for some reason but I think middle aged people are ok, I've only had issues with young people.
I think OP is sincere here but I think this point of view is extremely biased.
So to all people reading this don't think that living in russia would be this amazing because OP is treated based on his special position, his experience is comparable to a european tourist going to a luxury holiday resort in nigeria thinking that's what the whole country is like.
This is a good thread but I think it lacks perspective, there's no research or stepling out of the lane to see what is outside this catered student circle.
So basically OP's experience may be amazing but russia is not amazing, if you think that going to russia will automatically make your life amazing this is wrong.
I wish OP a wonderful experience but be careful what you're feeding to nigerians her because this type of storytelling on social media makes peopls think that nigeria is a hellhole and every other country is paradise.
Funny how nigerians start loving their country once they go and live abroad properly.
This is why I always make sure that when I tell epople what my experiences of a country are like, I focus a lot on the context.
For example when I was in switzerland and people were smiling and friendly but then I asked swiss people and immigrants about it and they said that it's just being polite but they're not actually helpful or friendly people and a lot of them usffer from depression but they hide it with superficial smiles due to cultural standards.
OP:
"know foreigners are being watched but trust me, you are being watched in Nigeria more than in Russia. Contrary to popular opinion, president Vladimir Putin does not 'hunt down' his perceived enemies. People have freedom here but at least 90% of Russians I have met, love him. . . 9. President Vladimir Putin is very friendly to Africans. Russian immigration laws makes it easy for Africans to come study in Russia and when you are here, they don't harass nor bully you and they don't treat you like second class citizens."
Ask yourself, do rich nigerians and white european exchange students feel like they're being oppressed in nigeria?
Would university employees who get paid for making sure that exchange students will enjoy being in the country tell these white exchange students that buhari is terrible and nigeria sucks?
Are foreign exchamge students treated as second class citizens in nigeria? Or are they perhaps treated as first class citizens?
What if OP was an uneducated labourer working at mcdonalds for minimum salary and he spoke russian, would this affect his experience in any way?
An ignorant person knows everything, a wise man knows nothing. If you know everything you have no reason to question anything.
For a supposedly Finnish "hippie", you are bizzarely invested in the western anti-Russia narrative, eh? Smells like bacon in this mfer.
FYI, most African countries are pro-Russia and anti Nazi supporting Western hypocrisy, especially in the current circumstances. Suck it up Mr.agent.
Surgeman: You could spend 30 years here, have a wife, children, a career, get a PHd and all the bells but in their eyes, remain a Nigger or chunk with a PHd.
True talk. It's not just Canada but all these Onyibo countries.
The first time I visited Singapore, I experienced racism from white people, not even the local Chinese oo. I was like ..are these people not immigrants themselves here..
Cameron highlands is also a dope place. It's not too far from the capital Kuala Lumpur but the weather is very different..it's cold. Many people travel there when is gets too hot in KL
ASIA 1. Hanoi, Vietnam. 2. Surabaya, Indonesia. 3. New Delhi, India. 4. Mumbai, India. 5. Islamabad, Pakistan. 6. Lahore, Pakistan. 7.Dhaka, Bangladesh. 8. Bangkok, Thailand. 9.Singapore. 10.Baku, Azerbaijan.
AFRICA 11.Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 12.Nairobi, Kenya. 13. Kampala, Uganda. 14.Kigali, Rwanda. 15. Johannesburg, South Africa. 16.Arusha, Tanzania. 17.Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. 18.Dakar, Senegal. 19.Abuja, Nigeria. 20.Lagos, Nigeria. 21.Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 22.Kaduna, Nigeria. 23.Accra, Ghana. 24.Cotonou, Benin. 25.Freetown, Sierra Leone.
vibrant99: Why do you people spread fake news and fears everywhere ? Learn which language to become citizen? Portugal the IT capital of Europe ? The eyes of the Mediterranean? Na wah for Una o. This is why people keep calling me and asking about all this jargons you people write!
The easiest place to get a job in Europe with no single understanding of the language is Portugal , though you strong need the residence permit to get a job there and there is no way you can go around “hand payment “ it’s tough !
During summer alone , you can be doing 6 jobs in Lisbon , it’s the busiest time of the year as they see almost a 100% in population of tourists troop in.
The reason most people don’t know too much about Portugal is because it’s tough to cut corners there and most people avoid it , it laws is stringent and bureaucratic!
Great and lovely place and Entering Spain is hassle free, ….
How many Nigerians do you think is in Portugal ? Last year alone they gave the highest number of Visa to Nigerians , 760 approved Visas! They don’t want you!
Uk alone this year has give over 100k visas to Nigeria because it’s easier not necessarily better , choose where you want and work at it .
The same Portugal their citizens are emigrating to look for work in Africa (Angola)
ednut1: this is the honest truth. The average Nigerian women does not want to split bills (my friends and i have been taxed for things like 300 dols hair, uber money, food money, vacation money , help with rent etc) which we usually laugh off lol. When white babes and jamo wey no dey tax dey hahahaha. Not all of them sha. But a good number of them. I know one with customers care job of maybe 35k a year but has gone on 3 holidays this year. Awon alakoba
Avoid the Jamo and Somali chicks in Jane&Finch, Dixon,etc
morinto: The western world is just design to make u comfortable and not rich. The more you earn the more you are been tax and bills increases.
Words on marble.
The Western world is not a place to grow old in. Get your money and move somewhere else. Even if not Naija, then some other African country or even Asia sef. Places where you can have a life.