‘Russia is already part of who I am’: African students in Moscow
African students in Moscow share their experiences of living and studying in Russia ahead of the Russia-Africa Summit. Many highlight the value of their education and the quality of Russian healthcare as key factors in building strong personal and professional ties.
Why it matters
The article provides a human-interest perspective on Russia's soft power efforts in Africa, illustrating how educational exchange programs influence international relations.
As the Russia-Africa Summit gets under way, students in the capital say education is helping to build ties.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Russian, English, Arabic and dozens of African languages are heard at Moscow’s Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University [Al Jazeera] By Yulia Shapovalova Published On 28 Oct 2026 28 Oct 2026 Moscow, Russia – Moscow’s Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University – better known as RUDN – offers a view of a relationship often discussed in the language of diplomacy, trade and security.
On the eve of the Russia-Africa Summit, due to begin on Wednesday in the capital Moscow, RUDN’s corridors are crowded with students speaking Russian, English, Arabic and dozens of African languages.
There are national celebrations, cultural showcases, food from across the continent and student clubs that turn the campus into what one graduate calls a “mini-city”.
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