“For 2 years now, I have been helping every first-year student from Yemen take their first steps into student life,” Al-Rahabi Mohammed Abdulkarim Mohammed, graduate of RUDN University

How did you find out about RUDN and why did you decide to come to study in Russia?

My friend told me about the university. He completed his second year of bachelor studies and came home for the summer. I learned about education, the campus, the atmosphere of friendship between peoples... And I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

Russia, Moscow, RUDN Square — I am fascinated by the beauty and scale. RUDN University is like a city within a city. Here life flows on its own, separately from the noisy metropolis.

Why did you choose International Relations for your bachelor’s degree?

Since childhood, I had a dream to become a diplomat. This specialty combines the disciplines that a future specialist needs to be able to defend the interests of his country in the world political arena. After graduation, you have an opportunity to work in various international organizations and embassies.

Why after 4 years of studying international relations did you “change course” towards cultural management?

In master studies school, I wanted to try myself in a new field. To study what I did not have enough knowledge in: advertising, design, architecture, film and media production.

The most interesting disciplines are creative industries laboratory, management in the field of culture and a foreign language.

What plans are you making for the future?

I don’t want to stop studying. I am returning to my main professional dream — I am starting RUDN University postgraduate program in International Relations. In 3 years, I am planning to grow even more as a specialist and, after graduating from the university, start building a career at the embassy in my homeland — in Yemen.

Tell me about your student national community work.

A community of students from Yemen was created at RUDN in 1997. Since then, more than 500 of my countrymen have graduated from the university. When I studied at the preparatory faculty, I helped students organize exhibitions of the Yemeni community. I listened as they spoke fluent Russian and told the guests about our native country. The desire to introduce students from other countries to their homeland motivated them to learn the language more diligently.

Since 2020, I have been Deputy President of the community at RUDN University. I meet each new student at the airport, help with documents — at the university and at the embassy, talk about life in Russia, advise to actively study the Russian language and practice it with native speakers. After people adapt a little, I introduce them to work at exhibitions, concerts and other events.

In 2021, I became President of the Moscow community of students from Yemen. So I can support not only students from RUDN, but also from other universities. For me, participation in the activities of the community is one of the incentives in life.

What advice would you give to young countrymen who have not yet decided on a profession?

I will advise them to choose RUDN University! Here is a very colorful life, you can do science, sports, creativity. Here you can become a professional and gain life experience.