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TochiPhotos:
Hi everyone, welcome to my diary. Many of you might remember me from my previous diary about my life in Moscow, Russia. I moved to Saint Petersburg from Moscow and I've decided to open a dedicated thread to document my life as a foreign student in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

I’m a Nigerian student, I study at the Higher School of Economics Saint Petersburg Russia. This thread will basically document and share my life and daily experiences living in Saint Petersburg, Russia. I hope you guys will enjoy and find my diary interesting.


Chapter 1 - The second coming.

I moved to Saint Petersburg from Moscow towards the end of 2018 and it was mostly because the Saint Petersburg campus had suitable programs entirely taught in english, whilst the Moscow program only had Masters programs in English. The other option would have been to continue studying in Russian language at the Moscow campus, but here is the tricky thing. My university is a very prestigious university in Russia (Top 3 in the country) and the standards are very high. There is this thing in my university called dopsa, so if you fail 3 exams in a year, you'll be expelled from the university and deported. So that means that out of 14 to 20 courses in an academic year, you can't fail 3 courses or you'll be expelled and deported as soon as possible. So I basically moved to Saint Petersburg to study in English because I do not know enough Russian to study entirety in Russian language and not fall behind in class. So my moving to Saint Petersburg was strategic.

A little about Saint Petersburg.

Before I begin, I want guys to know that words alone are not enough to describe how beautiful Saint Petersburg is. I honestly do not have enough adjectives to describe how magical and beautiful this city is. I've lived in Saint Petersburg for over a year now and I'm still awe struck. The center of Saint Petersburg is a Unesco heritage site and there are so many beautiful monuments and buildings all around the center. The center of Saint Petersburg and the city in itself is an architectural masterpiece.

Some nights when I'm sad or worried about something, I just take a quick stroll down the historical city center. Nevsky propekt is so beautiful at night, brilliantly decorated lights, amazing architecture and so on... It's the city of dreams and there is no headache or worry that taking a walk here cannot heal. Saint Petersburg is simply magical and I am a bit sad that I might have failed to accurately describe how beautiful this city is and I hope the videos and pics that will come later will be better.

Life in Saint Petersburg vs Moscow

I've lived in the two cities and I honestly prefer Saint Petersburg. Apart from being the most liberal and European most city of Russia, Saint Petersburg is just not beautiful but people here are much nicer than in Moscow. Saint Petersburg and Moscow are two contrasting cities, Moscow can be likened to Lagos, chaotic, busy and over populated. While Saint Petersburg can be likened to calmer cities like Enugu, Abuja or Calabar. Life is much easier and simpler here than in Moscow and most importantly, things are cheaper too than in Moscow. But like every other city, Saint Petersburg has its disadvantages too. Because of its proximity to the baltic sea, the winter is much more brutal here. It's windier and colder here than in Moscow. I'll do a more comprehensive comparison of the two cities in the future but I'll always advise prospective students to pick Saint Petersburg over Moscow.

Racism.

I know many people are curious about this. I can't pretend or lie racism doesn't exist in Russia but Saint Petersburg is the most liberal city in Russia, so even though some kind of subtle systematic racism exists here, it is still the most welcoming city for foreigners in Russia. I will do a more in depth video or post about racism in Russia in the near future.

Black in Russia.

Like other cities in Russia, it's still difficult to see black people here. Maybe because those that came in illegally during the last world cup don't leave their apartments. But that aside, I think Saint Petersburg has a higher number of black people than other Russian cities. My university has at least 40 or more African students here at the Saint Petersburg Campus.

Last Semester, my university held its annual Culture fest and I was invited to represent Nigeria at the HSE Culture day 2019. I prepared jollof rice and at the end of the culture fest, my jollof rice was adjudged the best food at the fest. It was really exciting to know that many people were genuinely interested in learning about Nigeria's culture, food and way of life. I'll post pics from the event below.

Also with me were my friends Florence and her younger Sister Grace. They both go to my university and they are really wonderful people. Words alone are not enough to describe how amazing Florence and her Sister are. I remember last winter, I caught a cold, I couldn't breathe properly and I honestly thought I won't make it through the night but Florence and her Sis sat by my bed all night, with aboniki balm and prayed fervently for me till I fell asleep and when I woke up in the morning, I was better.
They're super amazing and you guys will see more of them soon.

Also, I just opened a YouTube channel called Afro Rossiya TV. My aim is to document and share my first hand experience as a black foreign student in Russia so please subscribe to my channel.
This is my second video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNAACpu7znM I went on the streets of Saint Petersburg and asked Russians how they feel about Africans and Foreigners in their country so please watch, like and share my videos please. The opening of the video also has some aerial shots I took in Saint Petersbug.

Follow on Instagram https://instagram.com/afrorossiyatv/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/afrorossiyatv

I will write in this thread then share videos on my YouTube channel so abeg make una follow me all platforms.

So this is the beginning and welcome once again to my diary.

Peace and Love always.

Missy89:
Why would anyone want to live in communist Russia?

Missy89:
Why would anyone want to live in communist Russia?

GingerBreadMan:
What is wrong with “communist Russia”? Even your beloved Donald Trump suxs Putin’s dik!

Aidejay:
Hey tochiphotos are u a music lover?
If yes, gist us about your music interests especially the Russian ones
Would be exciting to hear how you've evolved towards the artistic cultures of these guys (saint Petersburg-ians)

SaintHilary:
tochiphotos
Been doing alot of research and would like to know if I can come to russia for a Language program and maybe adjust my visa status during the one year time frame also

SaintHilary:
tochiphotos
Been doing alot of research and would like to know if I can come to russia for a Language program and maybe adjust my visa status during the one year time frame also

TochiPhotos:
Hi guys, my new video is out on Afro Rossiya TV on YouTube.

I went on the streets of Saint Petersburg and asked Russian girls how they feel about dating black guys.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18rimPEF1kY&t=2s

Please subscribe to my channel if you haven't already. I need to 1000 subscribers to qualify for the YouTube partnership program.

Make una support me abeg )

TochiPhotos:
Yes, if your course is in Russian language you obviously have to do the preparatory year first. You have to get admission to Bachelors or Masters first to enable you continue after the preparatory program. If you didn't get admission first and only came for preparatory year program, after the program, you'll need to return to Nigeria and re apply again for full time study visa. I hope this is clear. Please search for the dedicated Russian student visa thread or check out my previous posts for a comprehensive guide on how to apply for Russian student visa.

Akpatahan92:
Can you gimme your email add, I'm also planning on this..maybe we can pull resources together?

TochiPhotos:
I love listening to music. I love good music, I mean who doesn't?

My taste in music is so weird and random, I literary listen to all kinds of music, it's so funny and weird that my late-night-cool music playlist contains Mozart, Bach, John Legend, ASAP Rocky, Jay Z, Udu Bonche, Umu Obiligbo and some other Igbo/Yoruba high life and ogene music lmao. That's how crazy my taste in music is.

But to answer your question, this city has greatly influenced my choice of music, I mean I've always loved classical music (back in Nigeria, I listened to Mozart, Vilvaldi, Bach and Beethoven) But since I moved here, I've discovered other great artists Tchaikovsky, Borodin and other great Russian composers.

I've fallen in love with Russian music and literature and sadly, I've had a really stressful week so I'm unable to write a lengthy post about Russian music and literatue. If I forced myself to write it for your sake, it would be mediocre and that would ruin it for you and I do not want that for you.

I honestly feel like some parts of this historical city can't be shown or written about alone. It has to be lived and experienced and its music culture and literature are one of them. I also honestly prefer discussing literature and music in person, over a glass of montepulciano d'abruzzo or any home made Russian or French wine. So Bro, whenever I'm in Nigeria, I'll reach out to you and we'll hangout and discuss Russian music and literature.

But one thing you have to know is that, classical music feels so good and different when you listen to it in places like inside the historical hermitage museum while perusing fine art or at home in an old Russian-Soviet styled apartment with lovely mosaic designs. As some people may say 'That shit slaps different" hahahaah



Whew! I've had a really stressful week and it's about to get even worse cos school resumes on Monday.
Spent my entire evening editing videos at this coffee shop.

Second picture, was taken on my way to the center to shoot interviews.

Both pics taken were taken with my phone.

kelvinUchiha:
Hi Tochi
I am very impressed with how far you have come in such a short time. I have been a silent reader for sometime now
I just subscribed to your youtube channel im number 288 lol
KEEP IT UP O.

I showed my parents some of your pictures here and i was able to convince them to let me study in russia. All Thanks to you. You inspire me.

I just have issues wrapping my head around the visa documents required for it.

I applied to volgograd state technical university because i have a friend there but he is in for masters while i am going for bachelors. Please please and please i know this is not a visa travel section. I have searched the web and i just want to confirm the documents required.

Do i need to submit these documents?
1. Police character certificate
2. Birth certificate
3. Flight reservation
4. Health insurance

They are not in the website of the embassy but are in almost every blog and website i check.

Please help.

elijah101:
Please tochi can i run masters in russia with my HND

kelvinUchiha:
Hi Tochi
I am very impressed with how far you have come in such a short time. I have been a silent reader for sometime now
I just subscribed to your youtube channel im number 288 lol
KEEP IT UP O.

I showed my parents some of your pictures here and i was able to convince them to let me study in russia. All Thanks to you. You inspire me.

I just have issues wrapping my head around the visa documents required for it.

I applied to volgograd state technical university because i have a friend there but he is in for masters while i am going for bachelors. Please please and please i know this is not a visa travel section. I have searched the web and i just want to confirm the documents required.

Do i need to submit these documents?
1. Police character certificate
2. Birth certificate
3. Flight reservation
4. Health insurance

They are not in the website of the embassy but are in almost every blog and website i check.

Please help.

TochiPhotos:
HSE which is the Uni I study at only accepts BSc and I'm not sure about other universities but I will ask around.

TochiPhotos:
Yes, if your course is in Russian language you obviously have to do the preparatory year first. You have to get admission to Bachelors or Masters first to enable you continue after the preparatory program. If you didn't get admission first and only came for preparatory year program, after the program, you'll need to return to Nigeria and re apply again for full time study visa. I hope this is clear. Please search for the dedicated Russian student visa thread or check out my previous posts for a comprehensive guide on how to apply for Russian student visa.

Iboyx:
Hello. Quick one. Do you have any idea what it might cost to study medicine over there. I already have a bsc in a medical science related course. Thanks

TochiPhotos:
On Sunday my friend Julia and I visited the hermitage and we shot some really nice footage of the inside of the hermitage. Please watch the video, subscribe and like


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y82AXmBi7f0&t=18s


The new semester just started on Monday so it's back to class

Predstan:
Scammers Tricks...
You can get all of the information you need on nairaland. You need not to inbox anyone.
By the way, his/her request was not directed at you. My comment was also not directed at you...

Hadampson:
Predstan, the second detective after justwise

I hail thee

Predstan:
Bro how far na. Make we yarn for WhatsApp. That level ne negative ooo