Rami Allouche: “The city combines history and modernity”
The hero of this issue of Second Home is Rami Allouche from Lebanon, a second-year student of the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology. He came to Russia in 2022 to enroll in the Preparatory School.
Why Russia and Kazan University?
According to Rami, Kazan University is distinguished by a variety of interesting study programs and highly qualified teachers, “I really like the atmosphere at the university and the city itself. It combines history and modernity. Kazan immediately attracted me with its unique architectural style, coziness and hospitality of people. It seems lively and dynamic, but at the same time it retains its special atmosphere. Of course, there were some things that came as a surprise to me, such as the climate and everyday life, but they only added to the color.”
Adapting to life in the country
During the conversation, Rami admitted that the main difficulty in adapting to Russia was the language barrier, as he had not studied Russian before.
“At first it was difficult to understand teachers and talk to people in everyday life. I actively tried to immerse myself in the language environment. I talked a lot with my classmates, attended extra classes and used different resources to learn the language. Gradually I got used to the climate and routines, and the support of friends and staff created the conditions for getting used to it,” the student shares.
The young man admits that now some teachers do not immediately notice that he is a foreigner, as the level of Russian language skills has become an order of magnitude higher.
“For comfortable learning I use different methods: I watch movies and read books in Russian, communicate with friends and classmates, and also try to participate in various events where you can practice the language in live conversation. This approach helps me not only to maintain my level, but also to constantly develop,” he adds.
Extracurricular activities at Kazan Federal University
Rami is actively involved in the student life of the university. He is the head of the Sector for International Activities. Moreover, he created the project Sirin – your friend in Russia, aimed at supporting and adapting international students, and manages it.
“I was also honored with the title of KFU Student of the Year in the nomination Best International Student. I like to participate in the university’s cultural events, for example, I sing patriotic songs as part of student concerts at UNICS. It helps not only to express myself, but also to better understand the local culture and make new acquaintances,” the young man notes.
Russian culture and traditions
During his stay, the Lebanese national was impressed by people’s attitude to family values, traditions, and the history of their country.
“I was surprised by how important a role holidays play. From large-scale state ones to folk and religious ones. For example, the tradition of meeting New Year and Christmas with loved ones, as well as celebrating Pancake Day with colorful festivities and treats left very vivid impressions. Besides, I was amazed by Russian art: music, literature, theater have a very strong influence on people’s life and outlook,” emphasizes the interviewee.
In the near future he plans to perform songs in the Tatar language. He wants to get to know Tatar culture better and contribute to its popularization among students.
Love for Russian and Tatar cuisine
“I like Russian dishes very much. Among my favorites are borscht, dumplings, olivier salad, and vinaigrette. When it comes to Tatar cuisine, I would mention some national dishes such as echpochmak, chak-chak, and kystybyy. Each has its own unique flavor and its own traditions of cooking. Tatar cuisine is diverse and very tasty, and it is a pleasure for me to discover new culinary horizons,” the student says.
Favorite places
Rami visited the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan, which made a special impression on him, “It is very interesting to get acquainted with the history and culture of the region. All the expositions are well decorated, there are many artifacts that tell about the centuries-old past of Tatarstan and Kazan. I also visited the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg – one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. Its collection simply amazes with its variety and scale: from ancient objects to works of great artists. The atmosphere of the museum is inspiring, and I enjoyed walking through the halls and getting acquainted with the art of different eras.”
In the future, Allouche wants to live in Russia. In his opinion, our country offers many opportunities for comfortable study and successful work.