The Kenyans studying in bold Russia

Before diving into degree programmes in medicine, engineering, IT, or international relations, new students spend a year immersed in intensive Russian language training. They’re not alone — thanks to a “buddy system,” each newcomer is paired with a local student to ease the cultural transition.

With over 2,500 alumni and growing support through online language programmes in Kenya, this educational bridge between Nairobi and Moscow is doing more than offering degrees — it’s shaping global citizens.

BDLife spoke to four students on what it is like to study in Russia.

Hilary Keya

24-year-old studying for a Master’s degree in aircraft engineering at Moscow Aviation Institute

I moved to Russia in October 2018, right after finishing high school in 2017. What drew me to study here was the affordability of education compared to other European countries; Russia is cheaper if you’re self-sponsored. Scholarship opportunities are also more accessible, with a higher acceptance rate for international students.

Initially, I came to Russia through an agent called KenRuss, the official Agency for a large number of Russian universities which helps Kenyan students secure placements. A few months after my stay, I applied for a scholarship and by good luck I got one which significantly eased my financial burden.

Getting my visa, the first time wasn’t too difficult, but the process took time, especially waiting for documents. Working with agents can be costly, which was the only challenge I encountered.

I’m in my first year of postgraduate studies. I went to Moscow Aviation Institute for four years, where I obtained my Bachelor's degree in aircraft engineering.

Before I began my undergraduate course, I had to undergo a one-year foundation course. It is mainly learning the Russian language which includes general subjects like physics and chemistry, to prepare us for our main field of study.

Hostel accommodation for students on scholarship is around Sh2,430 per month, but for non-scholarship students, it's around Sh11,360.

But it wasn't easy adapting to Russian life initially. I had to learn Russian as quickly as I could to communicate and catch up in school. I adapted with time, thanks mostly to other Kenyan students, church groups, and other small African and international groups in Russia.

Aside from school, I lead an active life. I attend university during the day, and in my free time, I am a choreographer. I teach Afro-dance at a dance school in Moscow.

It was initially a hobby at the beginning of 2023 but later turned into a side hustle when people began asking for lessons. It's a decent way to earn some money and get to do what I enjoy.

Life in Moscow can be expensive, especially if you don’t live in a hostel. But you can cut costs by reducing dining out. If you cook at home, you can spend about Sh4,870 a week on food. Other costs like clothing or social outings depend on your lifestyle.

I’ve travelled to several other cities in Russia, mostly for adventure or to visit friends during holidays. St. Petersburg, in particular, stands out for me. It’s called the cultural capital, with its beautiful architecture and slower pace of life. I’ve also been to Volgograd and a few towns near Moscow.

Culturally, the adjustment took some time. Russians can come off as reserved or conservative at first, but once you earn their trust, they’re some of the kindest and warmest people I’ve met. I’ve made several local friends, and my Russian is now at a comfortable conversational level.

The education system here is quite different from Kenya’s. In Kenya, we mostly sit exams to show our comprehension, but in Russia, you’re constantly required to speak and explain concepts verbally. Attendance is also closely followed, and participation is highly encouraged.

After my studies, I look forward to getting some practical experience, either in Russia or another place. In the long term, I'd like to go back to Kenya and serve the engineering sector there, but it will depend on what's on offer.

Marrianer Ayierah

24-year-old medical student in her final year at Volgograd State Medical University

I did my secondary education at Buru Buru High School in Kenya and finished in 2017. I had always dreamed of becoming a doctor but missed the medical school cluster by just one point in Biology.

Unfortunately, around that time, Dr Matiang’i [then education minister Fred Matiang'i] had just abolished bridging courses, which made it impossible for me to qualify for medicine in Kenya. That’s when I started exploring other countries.

I had not considered Russia initially. I was contemplating going to Canada, even gained admission to St. George's University, but it was too expensive.

The tuition alone was around Sh5.17 million a year, not including travel and living expenses. A friend whose child had studied architecture in Russia introduced me to KenRuss, a study agency.

I chose Volgograd University over Moscow and St. Petersburg because it was affordable. The tuition fees here are approximately Sh401,202 per year, which is less than Sh1.3 million or more in the big cities. I was raised by a single mother, so I had to mind affordability.

My visa application was also smooth because I did it via an agent. However, it was not all that was clear, like paying Sh10,000 for an admission letter only to learn it was free.

I came to Russia in 2018 and did a one-year preparatory course to learn Russian and adapt to the medical curriculum. Studying medicine here takes six years, but with the prep year, it’s essentially seven. I initially lived in the university dorms, but after the first year, I moved into an apartment.

Hostels cost about Sh6,000 to Sh7,000 per month, but apartments offer more freedom, especially if you work or come home late. I now share an apartment to keep costs manageable.

Socially and culturally, Russia was a big adjustment. Russians are very direct, something I’ve grown to adore. The language was a massive barrier at first. Everything here, especially in smaller cities like Volgograd, is in Russian.

I survived by translating everything with apps. Thankfully, there was a Kenyan community already established here. They helped me to settle in, and now I’ve become part of that cycle helping new students adjust.

A typical day in medical school here is intense. We're in class from 8:30am to 6:30pm, six days a week, from first to third year. It eases a little after the third year to allow students to gain part-time employment.

Classes typically go from 8:30am to 2pm. I started teaching English to young children in school. This was in my second year, which I’ve now done for almost five years. It pays decently and is flexible, but it requires charisma and patience, especially with young children.

Living in Volgograd is relatively affordable. With around Sh60,000 per month, you can live comfortably. The friendships and cultural experiences I’ve gained here have been life-changing. Community is everything when you're living abroad, and the bonds I’ve forged feel like a chosen family.

Upon graduation, I will return to Kenya, do my internship, and be licensed before thinking of specialisation. Certain Russian specialisations are not accredited in Kenya, so I would rather take the longer but clearer path. With the current delays in internship placement in Kenya, I am also looking at foreign options.

Michael Mwangi

21-year-old computer science student at The St. Catherine State University of St. Petersburg in Russia

I came to Russia in September last year. I chose to study in Russia because I wanted to pursue IT and computer science in a country where they have advanced technology.

My relatives and family friends have been here before, and they all had good things to say about Russia. They described it as a friendly place with a lower cost of living compared to other European countries, which sounded like an affordable choice.

My visa application was very easy. I did an HIV and TB test before applying and then provided proof of acceptance from the university. There are options for how quickly you want the visa processed, some take three days, others up to a week.

I chose the three-day option because I wanted to settle everything quickly. The embassy operates on specific days, so I applied on a Thursday and picked up the visa the following Tuesday.

My first few days were challenging. My flight landed in Moscow, and I had to catch a train to St. Petersburg. I was interrogated for nearly five hours at the airport in Moscow by immigration authorities who were curious to know what I was up to and why I was transiting through Moscow.

It was difficult to explain as they spoke very little English, and I had no internet and a dead SIM card to translate. It was a harrowing experience, but fortunately, a kind local helped me get water and an Uber to the train station.

My programme is a “specialist” degree, which lasts six years. This combines what would typically be a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. I am a self-sponsored student. My parents cover the fees and support me financially.

I’m focused on learning the Russian language because my university requires it for my major course - computer science. I should be done with the language programme this June.

I live in the university hostel. The rent is affordable, costing around Sh4,000 a month. Transportation here is also not costly, especially with the student monthly pass. For Sh2,500, I can use buses and the subway throughout the city, which is much cheaper than in Kenya.

Getting used to Russian life was not easy at first. The cold weather was a major adjustment. Since arriving here last October, the temperature has been below zero, sometimes as low as negative 20 or 30 degrees Celsius in the worst winter months.

Even now, it is around four degrees Celsius, which still feels cold to me. I have to dress warmly from head to toe, or else the cold starts to really hurt.

Socially, I’ve also met many people from other African countries, some from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Tanzania. We’ve created a small community, which helps a lot when you're far from home. Russians have been friendly too despite the language barrier.

Culturally, some things have come as a surprise, especially food. Back home, I’m used to eating ugali, but here I mostly eat rice, chicken, and pasta. It's been close to nine months without my favourite staples.

Looking ahead, after graduation, I plan to return to Kenya. I have developed an interest in politics, partly because my sister is active in politics. She was the secretary- general at Kenyatta University, and her involvement has inspired me. I am studying computer science, but I hope to venture into Kenyan politics someday.

Clement Ochola

28-year-old international relations postgraduate student at The Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow.

I have lived in Moscow for the past seven years or thereabouts, advancing my studies and having personal growth. I first came here in 2017 to pursue my undergraduate studies. I graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in law from the Moscow State University.

I enrolled for my Master’s degree in International Relations from the People’s Friendship University of Russia and graduated in 2024. I am currently a postgraduate student at the Russian State University for the Humanities, further specialising in International Studies focusing on immigration in East Africa, specifically, Kenya.

When I first decided to study abroad, Russia wasn’t my first consideration, but I did my research and discovered some compelling reasons to choose it.

Russia is known for having one of the world’s best education systems, especially in areas of research and technology. The opportunity to experience life as a student abroad, interact with international peers, exchange ideas, and immerse myself in a new culture motivated me.

I was fortunate to obtain a government scholarship, and this was the greatest contribution towards making this dream a reality. The Russian Embassy in Kenya and its website regularly publicise scholarship opportunities, and that is where I came to learn about the opportunity. I submitted an application and was lucky enough to be selected to come here in 2017.

The visa application process was quite straightforward once I received an invitation letter from the university. Within a week, I got my student visa. It was a single-entry visa valid for 90 days, so I had to plan my travel carefully.

After arriving in Russia, I extended my visa and registered with immigration authorities, which is a normal process to legally reside here as a student.

Adapting to life in Russia was a significant challenge. Coming from Kenya, I had to adjust to a very different social and academic environment, not to mention the cold climate and language difficulties.

There are preparatory programmes at the universities that allow international students to learn Russian and get used to the educational system, which makes the transition smoother.

Among Kenyan students, we have the Kenya Student Union, which promotes unity, welfare, and mutual support. Being far from home, we face issues like culture shock, homesickness, and harsh winters, so having that network helps tremendously.

In addition, through conferences and student organisations with international students from diverse countries, I have built a wider network, exchanging knowledge and career advice. It has been a cross-cultural experience that has enriched my life outside of coursework.

Apart from academics, I am also involved in leadership roles.

I served as the president of the Kenya Student Union in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) from 2023-2024. This position allowed me to help other Kenyan students and establish a sense of community.

Besides being in class, I spend time with friends, attend diplomatic symposiums, and participate in student-led events. As an international relations student, these activities complement my studies perfectly.

I’ve also had the chance to travel across Russia for educational purposes. I have been to cities like Kazan, Ufa, and the Moscow region to understand different cultures and traditions within the country.

The living expenses in Moscow are modest, especially with the Russian government providing a token monthly stipend to international students, roughly around Sh4,000- Sh6,500. I have also been engaging in part-time English teaching, both at schools and privately, which helps with finances.

What fascinates me most about Russian culture is how deeply respect for tradition and heritage is ingrained, especially among the youth. Celebrations like Victory Day are observed with seriousness and pride, which has helped me appreciate the importance of culture in shaping a society.

My experience in Russia has been fulfilling and transformative. The scholarly opportunities, cultural richness, and diverse student life have all combined to mould me.

I am confident that the knowledge and skills that I gain here will enable me to contribute to Kenya’s development when I go back. I dream of building a meaningful career in international relations, opening up opportunities to other Kenyans, and mentoring youth by offering counsel based on my international exposure.

This journey has taught me that education is a lifelong process, and I’m eager to continue learning and growing, both academically and personally. I look forward to returning home equipped to make a difference.

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