22 August 2014
Students from Germany eager to study at KFU

Kazan Federal University is in favour of foreign students, it is not a secret. But few people know that the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology welcomes students of foreign universities to undertake an internship in KFU. Christina Mitjuschkin, a sophomore of the University of Regensburg (Faculty of Medicine), has come to Kazan to practice in medical care. We have spoken to Christina to learn why she has chosen KFU out of all Russian and world universities.

- Christina, you have Russian roots. Was it the key reason for you to choose Russia?

- I do have Russian roots. Moreover, my parents spent their youth in Omsk. Having got married, they moved to the Ukraine to Vinnitsa, where I was born. Four years later they came over to Germany. The reason is absolutely clear, life was easier there. Regardless the fact that I have spent almost my whole life in Germany, I feel close connection with the Russian world. In addition, I was driven by desire to improve my Russian in order to easily communicate with my relatives back in the Ukraine and Russia. The rules of the University of Regensburg allow internship in any country of the world. I could not miss such an opportunity.

 - Why Kazan? Why our University?

- I am sure you know that the University of Regensburg and Kazan Federal University have been successfully collaborating for several years.

In August 2010 the University of Regensburg represented by the East-West Academic Research Centre came forward with a proposal of partnership. General agreement was signed in September 2010 during the official visit of Rector Thomas Strothotte to the Kazan University. Year 2012 was marked by signing a Student Exchange Agreement.

Since 2011 Kazan University together with other six leading universities of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe has been participating in the Secondos Bachelor program of the University of Regensburg. The program is unique for Germany; it is aimed at students whose parents emigrated from Eastern Europe. A number of eastern European universities, partners of the University of Regensburg, enable such students study their major in the country of their origin and improve their native language.

Having entered the Secondos Program, I addressed to the Kazan University and applied for a position of a trainee doctor. I was afraid to be refused, but the administration of the University of Fundamental Medicine and Biology met my wants and admitted me. Andrey Kiyasov, the Institute Director, and Raushaniya Gaifullina, his deputy, helped me a lot.

  - How long will your internship last?  

- It will take three months. My school break is not so long, however. I am to work as a nurse in the 2nd Regional Clinical Hospital, a KFU clinical centre, for two months, one of them has already passed. And I am going to spend my last month in one of the hospitals in Regensburg.

- Have you noticed any essential differences in Russian and German healthcare systems? Or in hospital regulations?

- I haven’t had a chance to work in a German hospital yet; so I cannot answer this question right now.  But I know there are some differences. To gain experience in a German hospital similar to the one I am receiving here is more difficult. Trainee doctors are not allowed to perform any treatments, including injections, and in Germany medical practice mostly include taking care of patients. You see, it is impossible to learn much in such circumstances.

- You are studying general medicine in the University of Regensburg and choosing a specialty is ahead. Will your internship help you define the major?

-  I can’t say that I have already made up my mind. I am training in various divisions and stay longer in those I am more interested in. For instance, it is my second week in the surgery division. I have been once allowed to assist an operation as a surgical nurse, under the guidance of experts, of course. It’s invaluable experience.

- What operations have you participated in?

- I was not allowed to assist emergency operations, of course. I have observed some palliative operations: hernia excision, genital mutilation, corrective surgery, and others.

- What about the accommodation?

- I live in a family. Its members are very hospitable. My stay at their place is surely paid, but they do much more for me than is outlined in the agreement.

- What did your family think about your trip to Russia? Were they glad you got a chance to visit the country of their youth?

- Unfortunately, they were not happy about it, because of the latest events. They thought it would not be safe. But I persuaded them as it was my cherished desire, and they conceded.

- Do you plan to return to Russia?

- Yes, I do. If I have a chance to come back, I will be happy. May be one day I will work here, in my second Motherland.

Source of information: Press centre
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