Pursuing a medical degree in Russia (MBBS).

Why pursue an MBBS in Russia? There are numerous benefits for Indian students studying at Russian Medical Universities, a few of which are highlighted below:

1. Affordability: Russia stands out as the most economical option among various study-abroad destinations for medical students.
2. Quality of Education: Russian Medical Universities provide superior education within a budget comparable to that of countries like Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.
3. NMC Guidelines: The MBBS education in Russia aligns with the New National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines established for the licensing exam in India (NExT).
4. Medicine Syllabus: The curriculum for the Medicine degree program in Russia covers all 19 subjects, mirroring what is offered in Indian Medical Colleges.
5. Internship: The MBBS course in Russia dedicates over a year to clinical exposure, meeting the requirements set by the NMC.
6. Global Exposure: Russian medical universities attract students globally, providing real international exposure.
7. Safety: Russian society places high value on tradition and family ties, resulting in a lack of racism or religious discrimination.

Despite the advantages, studying MBBS in Russia comes with its own set of challenges. Some of the issues faced by Indian students include:

1. Language Barrier: English is not widely spoken in Russia, leading to difficulties in daily conversations.
2. Bilingual Programs: Many Russian universities offer bilingual MBBS programs or conduct courses entirely in Russian, requiring careful university selection.
3. USMLE & NExT Preparation: Misleading information from agents claiming that Russian universities provide coaching for exams like NEXT, USMLE, or PLAB can pose a challenge. Students need to prepare for these licensing exams independently.
4. Low FMGE Passing Ratio: The FMGE passing ratio for Russian universities is approximately 18%, often due to students neglecting preparation for licensing exams like FMGE or NEXT upon returning to India. Early preparation for USMLE or NEXT from the first year is recommended.
5. NMC Approved Medical Colleges: With over 90 medical universities in Russia accepting international students for general medicine programs, careful consideration is required to ensure admission to English-taught MBBS programs rather than bilingual ones.
   for Indian students pursuing MBBS in Russia often comes with concerns about the availability of Indian food. Here are the details:
   1. Indian Mess: In several universities, there are Indian mess facilities, usually managed by private contractors. The availability of these facilities depends on the number of Indian students in a particular university.
   2. Mess Charges: The monthly charges for two meals a day typically range from approximately 100 to 150 USD. Prices may vary among universities.
   3. Self-Cooking Option: Hostels in Russian medical universities generally provide a shared kitchen where students can prepare their meals. Typically, this service is offered by the university free of charge.
   4. Indian Restaurants: Russia has a thriving Indian community, and Indian restaurants can