Studying Jewelry Design in Russia

After changing her original plan of going to medical school, Elena Ismailova, from Turkmenistan, is studying jewelry design at Russia’s Vyatka State University – and she couldn’t be happier with her choice.

Elena says choosing a university in Russia, instead of staying in Turkmenistan, was motivated by her desire to get a degree that would allow her to go on to find work anywhere in the world. “I spoke decent Russian and wanted to improve my English, so studying in Russia was the obvious choice,” she explains.

Choosing a university in Russia

While much has been new, Elena did also have some first-hand advice to draw upon when choosing a university. Her brother was already enrolled at a university in the same city (studying medicine, as she originally planned), and a friend of Elena’s who has studied at Vyatka State University (VyatSU) recommended it. Unable to travel to Kirov to meet admissions staff herself, Elena sent her brother to ask questions on her behalf and make sure she was fully prepared once she arrived.

Finances also played a role in her decision – at VyatSU, she was able to apply for a funded place, which means she pays no tuition fees. First, however, she had to take the entrance exams, and she says she really had no idea whether she’d get the results she needed. “I just tried to do my best and hoped to succeed.”

Adapting to life in Russia

Elena has now been studying at VyatSU for two years, and is enrolled in a degree program focusing on the technology behind the artistic processing of materials. This includes jewelry design, her favorite topic so far, as well as learning about the properties of different materials, studying fonts, and taking history of art classes.

Adapting to life in Russia has been an interesting journey – and Elena says she hasn’t once been disappointed since arriving. “It’s exciting to study here. I meet lots of people and take part in events held in the university,” she says. “I like the hospitable Kirovites. They are always ready to help you in a difficult situation.”

As well as making lots of new friends while studying jewelry design, she’s also encountered plenty of new experiences – including her first visit to a forest. “I never saw so many trees before! The atmosphere is absolutely awesome – it makes me want to take long walks along the forest paths and breathe this fresh and fragrant air in!”

Beyond jewelry design

Having had such a positive experience of life in Russia, it’s no surprise to hear Elena’s considering studying a second degree – though she’s keeping her options open about what specialization to choose and what kind of career to pursue. It could be jewelry design or something else that captures her interest, but for the time being she’s still enjoying discovering new experiences, both within the classroom and beyond.