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Hello, my name is Maria Celeste Alvarado. I’m 22 years old and I’m from Costa Rica. I arrived in Russia in December 2021.
I’ve always dreamed of studying aerospace, and my passion for space, rockets, cosmonautics, and astronomy led me to take the opportunity to come to Russia. It’s been a tough journey—being away from home, family, and friends, and dealing with the extreme weather. But I am following my dreams and am happy. I’m currently in my third year and things are going well! The language is really difficult, but I’ve managed to get through it. I’ve been able to learn a lot and improve every day.
Before coming to Russia, I had high expectations for the university. I imagined studying with highly skilled professors who were passionate about their subjects, and I couldn’t wait to learn fascinating things about space. What excited me the most was the thought of studying in Russia’s aerospace city! And I wasn’t wrong—my professors are incredible, and I absolutely love my career.
Before coming to Russia, I also expected the climate to be extremely cold, especially since Costa Rica has a warm, tropical climate year-round. The cold winters were something I knew would be a challenge, and I also anticipated that learning the language would be difficult. Russian is quite different from Spanish, and I knew it would take time and effort to understand it. However, when I set my mind to something, I always give my best. Despite the challenges, like the cold weather and the language barrier, I’ve worked hard and remained focused. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned a lot and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Costa Rica is a country known for its incredible biodiversity. We have jungles, forests, beaches, and various ecosystems like humid and rainy forests. We also have an abundance of fruits – at my house, I have trees of oranges, lemons, avocados, mangoes, guavas, tamarind, and rambutan. It’s truly a tropical paradise. On the other hand, Russia is vast and diverse, with its beautiful mountains, vast forests, and endless landscapes. I find the different cultures and regions here fascinating. It's a country with a rich history and an amazing mix of traditions.
I’m an extremely active person and love doing many things. I enjoy reading, painting, dancing to Latin music, cooking (especially baking), planning activities with my friends, and going out to cafés. I also love to travel! Recently, I started a new project here where I hand-paint tote bags to sell. My family is always my biggest motivation and support. They are the reason I keep going, even when things get tough.
I really enjoy exploring different places in Russia. There are so many beautiful and ancient cities with stunning architecture. It’s incredible to see how history is preserved in the buildings and streets. I love visiting museums and learning more about the country’s rich history. It’s a great way to connect with the culture and understand the people here even more.
