"I want life in Africa to be good!", student Dosso Aminata Zeguela Solange
African countries can live better — this is Aminata's firm belief. In order to fulfill her dream, she decided to get education at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN).
"I decided to study political science, because Africa has certain social and political problems, but lacks specialists that can solve them. We must pay attention to employment of migrants — there are a lot of them in the country, — help orphaned children to get education. I want my country to be on par with Europe or America. After graduation, I will apply the received knowledge in Côte d'Ivoire, work on the improvement of its domestic and foreign policy. My dream is to become an ambassador in the future."
RUDN is well-known in African countries, so choosing a university did not take much time.
"Many teachers in my school graduated this university and recommended we study there. My classmates and I saw their level and their knowledge, for us they were an example to follow."
Having settled in Russia's capital, the young woman started convincing her fellow citizens to apply to RUDN.
"Two of my former classmates followed me to Moscow. I told them how studies are organized, what life in Moscow is like, and they took their chance. As a result, not only do I enjoy it here — my friends also study with pleasure."
Aminata is happy with her choice.
"The university gives me everything I need for my future diplomatic work. I’m receiving fundamental knowledge, learning a new language that will be useful in the international practice, meeting representatives of other cultures. I am also learning to build and maintain relationships with people who are different from me. In Africa, we are all alike, but in RUDN, cultural diversity thrives."
Aminata is pleasantly surprised with the active life at the university.
"I am a member of the Côte d'Ivoire community: there are seven of us, and we perform national dances. Last year, we took part in a concert during the celebration of the university's birthday, and we will do it again this year. We manage to rehearse two-three days a week. It is not enough, of course, but we do our best and dance at leisure."
The International Youth Festival (IYF-2026) was held in Yekaterinburg. For all seven days, RUDN University's stand operated there — a compact model of university life featuring a dorm room, a coworking space, a "kitchen," and multimedia installations. Guests from various countries didn't just learn about Russia's most international university — they tasted a slice of student life firsthand.
What are students from African countries coming to study at RUDN University like? Why did they choose a Russian education, and what do they want to learn? How do they adapt to life in a new, unfamiliar country? What do the Russian language and culture mean to them? For the third Russia-Africa Summit, RUDN University has compiled a portrait of a typical African student and shared their experiences during their studies.
A themed train dedicated to the 65th anniversary of RUDN University has been launched in the Moscow Metro! For six months, the train will run along the Sokolnicheskaya Line.