On Jan. 25 students around Russia celebrated Tatyana's Day, or Student's Day, to mark the end of exams and the first semester of school.
The Moscow Times visited six obshchezhitiya, or dormitories, to observe the lives of students in Moscow. Many said that while communal life is hard as space is limited, social life is great and costs are cheap- rent is as low as 67 rubles ($2) a month.
All photos by Pascal Dumont.
Kudakwashe Ndlovu, a 25-year-old student from Zimbabwe, working out in his room.
Ndlovu said the walls were in need of a fresh layer of paint, water sometimes leaked from the floor above and the electric wiring could cause a fire at "any time." Then again, Ndlovu only pays $10 a month for his room.
"It's cheap that's for sure," he said.
Dinara Vafina, 26, practicing piano in her room at the Moscow State Pedagogical University dormitory.
"I don't have a problem living with roommates but I would like to get my own place one day," she said.
Elena Gasyukova, 24, reading her favorite study book at the dormitory for students at the Higher School of Economics, where she pays $2 a month in rent.
"It's a great place because we only share with 9 people," she said.
Elena said students living at the dorm had to abide by a strict regime. "Every day a lady comes to my room to check whether it's clean and tidy."
Third-year student Anatoly Paterilo inside his studio at the dormitory for the Moscow State Academic Art Institute.
The dormitory for students at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute from the outside.
Semen Lukansi, a 23-year-old native from Yakutsk in Siberia, has already made a name for himself as a painter though he is only 23, other students at the dorm said.
Anya Kashina in her room at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute. Anya spent several years in London and has now returned to Moscow to study contemporary painting.
A student of the Moscow Art Institute lighting his pipe in the staircase of the dormitory.
Inese Manguse, a 24-year-old Latvian native has lived at the dorm for only 4 months.
"At the dorm you can just walk around and drop by your friends from door to door. For me, a social network is really important," she said.
See our photo gallery for more snapshots of life as a student in Russia.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
