Everyday life, day to day
It is not the studies that unsettle newcomers most, it is the ordinary things: paying, getting around, eating, dressing properly in January. Here is what gets settled in the first weeks, and in what order.
Banking, cards and money
Opening a Russian bank account is one of the first steps, done with your tutor. It gives you a local card accepted everywhere — essential, since foreign cards do not always work.
Bring enough to cover the first two weeks while the account is activated. Contactless payment is the norm, even for very small amounts.
Phone and internet
- A local SIM card is quick to obtain with your passport, at a fraction of roaming rates
- Data plans are generous and cheap compared with Tunisian standards
- University housing generally provides internet access, of varying quality by building
Getting around
Russian urban transport is dense, punctual and inexpensive, and students get reduced fares on presentation of their student card.
In large cities the metro is the fastest option. Learn your station name in Cyrillic in the first days: it is the first genuinely useful Russian word.
Groceries and food
- Supermarkets cover the essentials at a lower cost than Tunisia on staple goods
- Cooking in the residence cuts the budget sharply compared with eating out
- Halal products are available in large cities, and especially accessible in Kazan, capital of a majority-Muslim republic
- Budget between €140 and €260 a month for daily living depending on the city, meals and transport included
The Russian winter, concretely
This is the number one worry of Tunisian students, and it fades quickly. Buildings, transport and universities are heated effectively: the cold is outdoors, not indoors.
Do not buy your winter kit in Tunisia. A proper coat, boots and thermal base layers are bought locally, better designed and often cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Tunisian bank card in Russia?
Not reliably. Opening a Russian account and getting a local card are among the first steps, supported by your tutor on arrival.
Is halal food available?
Yes in large cities, with specialist shops. Kazan is particularly well served, being the capital of Tatarstan, a majority-Muslim republic.
How do you cope with the cold coming from Tunisia?
By buying your kit locally rather than before departure, and knowing that every indoor space is strongly heated. Most students adapt within a few weeks.