The coronavirus pandemic had led to stress and panic among the students in the year 2020. Though it was contained after 6-7 months and the situation was coming back to normalcy, however the joy of that was short-lived. The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic has turned to be even more deadly and dangerous than the first one. Now the doctors and the government have been asking for extra precaution, along with administering vaccines for common people. The current scenario, however, is proving to be quite stressful and may even lead to prolonged postponement of exams all over the country. The exam for 12th class being postponed currently, has provided a new window of opportunity for students to work on their preparation for a prestigious career defining examination like NEET. Being a doctor is a noble profession all over the world, and in the present world, the need for medical professionals seems ever important. Pursuing MBBS is a dream that the students and the parents both pursue, and lakhs of students appear for NEET to try their fate for getting a seat in medical colleges nationwide. Due to tough competition, many students do not get admission. And the private colleges charge fees beyond the reach for common students. For those students, opportunities are open for pursuing MBBS abroad. While this may sound like a pipedream, but Russia is one such country full of opportunities for pursuing MBBS.
Russia is a top destination for pursuing a medical profession for Indian students, with colleges and universities situated in the top cities of the country, with adequate facilities available for students. But one must know everything about pursuing a career in a foreign country, as there are different kinds of misconceptions about the country and the adjustments that an Indian student might have to make. First of all, Russia is a safe country to travel and to stay for foreigners, especially Indians. Since the medical profession is regarded as noble, parents and students both are looking at different options with good colleges in India and outside India. The most important part is the affordability for such investment. In India, with a good NEET score, candidates might be able to land a top college for themselves, however, that is not the case for everyone. The other students, who are not able to score well, are sometimes stranded in the middle with little to do about pursuing this profession. Russia’s top medical universities, however, are quite lenient in this matter.
The country provides education in an affordable budget which eases financial burden on the middle class parents of India. Plus, the kind of affordable education which the universities offer, with accommodation and basic facilities is quite helpful for students as well. The infrastructural facilities provided by universities is quite better for better grooming for students in order to blend well and work in a different country. Russia has MCI recognized and WDOMS enlisted medical universities, and the medical degree is recognized by WHO, UNESCO, which allows the students to practice the medical profession in India as well as different hospitals all around the world. The universities focus on extensive practical knowledge, in order to make an able practitioner out of the student, utilizing their talent. The country has quite an easy admission process, with the qualification based on NEET score itself. The universities are quite helpful with the visa process with consultation at every step for the students – from visa process to the admission. The degrees provided by the universities are recognized for both work and further studies in India. Since the admission is based on NEET score, there is no additional entrance or language exam needed to qualify for universities. The colleges and universities provide education in English language, which is quite easy for the Indian students. The universities provide safe and comfortable accommodation to all enrolled Indian students, and even the university administration and embassy is helpful for the students there. The best part is the availability of Indian mess in the university and hostel campus.
With the pandemic in process, the universities have established an online mode of education with the students all over the world. The students who are still living in those universities, are being provided with proper infrastructure, food and lodging, with medical care if needed. The universities in Russia have been following the social distancing guidelines issued by the health ministry and keeping strict watch over its violation. The universities, in this scenario, are providing mental health care via online as well as physical (only if necessary) means. There are adequate arrangements made for counselling via different clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to help the students manage the mental stress. Video conferencing has been made available and the universities are responding to such cases on a priority basis. Vladimir Putin had signed a law in February 2020, which also allows foreign students to work while studying without the need of a permit. Hence, foreign students pursuing MBBS in Russia have a bright future in Russia and can become citizens in Russia easily.
