RU 
EN 
CN 
ES 
My name is Miguel Leal, I'm from Mexico and I have been living in Samara for almost 6 years now.
Ever since I was young I had always wanted to study abroad; the mere idea of flying thousands of kilometers and enjoying an amazing life as a university student was always my dream. It is so interesting how life manages to adapt to your plans if you work hard enough. And thanks to that hard work I achieved my dream of studying abroad.
At first, I didn't even know what country I wanted to study in; there were hundreds of options and I was lost in a sea of doubt about where to go. Then, all of a sudden, I met a friend who mentioned he studied in Russia for a couple of years and it was the best experience he could have ever had. From that moment on, I considered Russia as a great country to develop myself academically. To be honest, I didn't know if Russia was going to be the perfect fit for me; we have all heard the stereotypes, no? The great Russia, motherland of great scientists, architects, and the birthplace of aerospace technology as we know it today. I was afraid the cold weather or the cold people were going to take a toll on me (since I'm from Mexico and everything is really warm over there). My mind was full of uncertainty, but it was my dream, so when I got the opportunity to apply to Samara University, I didn't think twice and started filling out all the necessary paperwork.
To make things short, once I arrived in Russia I was just as excited as I was scared. Fortunately! Russia received me with open arms and a lot of good people. The first day when I arrived at the airport there were already some people waiting for me, ready to help and answer all my questions. Those people went on to become my dear friends and they have had my back ever since that first moment. This is all to say that even though I was afraid I was going to feel alone, I NEVER felt alone here in Russia. The community of international students is so great that I never found myself in a situation where I couldn't call someone for help, and now I feel happy to say that I'm the one helping others!
Now, don't get me wrong. Life isn't all easy here. If you come to Russia, you come to study (I learned that the hard way). Life here in Russia is amazing if you don't lose your focus and concentrate on what you came to do. There's always time for everything: there's time to study and there's absolutely time to party. The education here is high-level, so you have to be up to expectations, especially as a foreign student (think that you are representing your whole country to the world!).
If you understand that, life in Samara will feel like a walk in the park. This city is beautiful! I tried checking it out on Google before coming but it is 10 times better than in the pictures! Living in such a beautiful, historical and amazing city has been everything I could have ever asked for. There are tons of things to do and tons of people to meet if you are adventurous enough. What truly brings Samara to life is its people—locals greet you with warm smiles, the streets buzz with fellow international students sharing stories, and nights transform into unforgettable adventures through cozy basement bars, riverside clubs, and live music venues that pulse until dawn. The city doesn't lack transportation options: metro, bus, trolley, taxi, marshrutka, or even e-scooters—you choose! Visiting historical places like Lenin’s Bunker or astonishing architecture like the Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of my favorite things to do in the city. But! Undoubtedly, my favorite place in Samara is the beach and the embankment; OMG, summer sunsets there are AMAZING—they leave you speechless.
Now, six years later, six years after feeling afraid and nervous to come to Russia, I know it was the best decision of my life. This experience has changed me in ways I can't even begin to describe; the city, the people, the education, the life—all of it has made me a different person, a better one. So, if you want to live the experience of a lifetime, if you truly want to know yourself and explore life to the fullest... Samara is waiting for you. :)
