FEELING AT HOME IN RUSSIA: A JORDANIAN MEDICAL STUDENT SHARES HIS JOURNEY

Mohammad Barakat comes fr om Jordan, a country in the Middle East. Now in his fourth year at the Medical Institute, he is pursuing a degree in General Medicine. What does he think about the university and life in Saransk? His impressions were shared with Maria Khrouleva.

— Mohammad, tell us a little about your country.
- Jordan is one of the world’s most ancient states. Tourists come to explore its rich culture and imagine how people lived centuries ago. One of the most famous landmarks is Petra, the so-called «rose-red city» carved into the mountains. Built from red sandstone that gives the rocks their striking shade, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. I have visited it myself, and the experience was unforgettable.

— How is your country different from Russia?
- First of all, the climate. In Jordan, we never have the kind of cold that Russia is known for. When I first arrived in Mordovia, it was winter, and that was quite a shock for me. Secondly, the food and lifestyle are very different.

I’ve noticed that leisure time here is organized in another way. In Saransk, many people spend weekdays quietly at home with their families and become more socially active towards the weekend. Back home, people try to meet friends almost every evening.

What I really enjoy about Russia is its diversity. It feels as if within one country there are many «small countries,» each with its own traditions and climate. I often travel to Moscow and have also been to Saint Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod. But to explore all of Russia’s cities, one lifetime would not be enough.

— Why did you decide to study here?
- In Jordan, there are agencies that help applicants choose a country, a city, and a university. I always wanted to study in Russia—it is very popular among Jordanians—but I wasn’t sure wh ere exactly. Specialists recommended the Medical Institute of Ogarev Mordovia State University and assisted with the paperwork, while my parents fully supported my decision.

For a student, Saransk is an ideal place. It is cozy, compact, and easy to navigate. Everyday routines, like commuting or shopping, take much less time and energy than in a big metropolis.

— Was it difficult to study medicine in Russian as a foreign student?
- At the beginning it was not easy, of course, but our professors were very supportive. They understood that we came from abroad and always tried to explain things as clearly as possible. I studied Russian for six months and now I speak it fluently. It feels great to see the happy faces of people when I communicate with them—and to truly feel like a local.

— Why did you choose to become a doctor?
- I enjoy work that requires precision and attention to detail. In medicine, every mistake can have serious consequences. In the future, I hope to specialize in dermatology.

The article was published in the «Voice of Mordovian University» newspaper (No. 7 — August 29, 2025).