Your First Weeks in Moscow and Personal Academic Support at Sechenov

The first weeks at a university abroad are a mix of excitement and fatigue. There is a new city to navigate, a new academic culture to understand and a timetable that fills up quickly. Personal academic support at Sechenov is designed to make this period smoother for students on the Leaders in Health Innovations track, but your own habits matter too. Here are some practices that help newcomers find their feet.

Before you arrive

Good adaptation begins at home. Read the university’s guidance on entry rules for Russia at https://welcome.sechenov.ru/en/migration-support/ well before your departure date. Keep digital and paper copies of your key documents, and note the admissions contacts: +7 (495) 622-98-20 for the admissions office and +7 (495) 609-14-00 for the call center.

Get to know your support network early

On the Leaders track, every student has a personal curator, and classes take place in small groups. Use both from the start. Introduce yourself to your curator in the first days and ask how best to stay in touch. Small groups also make it easier to get to know classmates quickly, and these peers often become your first friends and study partners. If something is unclear, whether academic or practical, ask early; small problems are easier to solve before they grow.

Find a rhythm that works

Medical study is demanding from the beginning, especially the fundamental disciplines that explain normal and pathological processes in the body. A few habits help:

• review each day’s material briefly the same evening;
• plan the week ahead on Sunday, including rest;
• keep regular sleep and meal times, even when the schedule is busy;
• notice when you feel overwhelmed and talk to your curator or a mentor.

Step outside the classroom

The tuition includes participation in extracurricular activities and projects, and these are among the best ways to feel at home. Joining a project lets you meet students from other years and see how the university works beyond lectures. Many newcomers also find that learning everyday Russian phrases makes shopping, transport and conversation with neighbors far easier, even though teaching on the program is in English.

Give yourself time

Adjustment is not a single event but a gradual process. Students from Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait, like everyone else, may find that some weeks feel easier than others. Being patient with yourself while using the support available is usually the most reliable path.

Read about the track on the program page, see how to enroll in the admissions section or find phone numbers and email on our contacts page.

If you have questions about starting your studies, visit https://healthleaders.sechenov.ru/ or email healthleaders@staff.sechenov.ru.