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Around twenty years ago international students started coming to Tambov to get higher education. At first, they were just a few and they drew a lot of attention. In the course of 20 years the number of students has significantly increased and now around 2,000 people from Africa and Maghreb countries enroll into local universities annually. They manage to intertwine with colored thread into a monochrome pattern of the local population, but integrating into the population of a small provincial town isn’t easy. So, what makes them different from the local population of the small Russian provincial town and are they at all different? What do they like and how do they live?

I photographed students in their rooms where they live in a dormitory. Sometimes I met them on the street, sometimes an already familiar student helped me get into the dormitory then I just knocked on all the doors in a row and talked to students. There were cases when already familiar students introduced me to their friends, this was the easiest way. Then they began to invite me to their parties, birthdays. But after publication in the Russian media, everything changed. I received a lot of negative feedback, clearly talking about the attitude of afro-american and arab people. Students received bad feedback from their professors, tutors, trainers, and this whole situation has turned into hell. Here are some portraits and their little stories.

More info: Instagram

#1

Israel Premier From Brazzaville, Cameroon. Medicine Major

Israel Premier From Brazzaville, Cameroon. Medicine Major

I was shocked when I saw our dorms: dirt, cockroaches, there wasn’t a lock on the doors. I fixed the room myself: put up wallpaper, bought a refrigerator, curtains and other little things. No one else has a room like that

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Luis Milian
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

did an amazing job fixing your room. Wish you all the best with your studies!

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#2

Kash Lee From Nelspruit, South Africa. Medicine Major

Kash Lee From Nelspruit, South Africa. Medicine Major

My country is very different from Russia, we have 12 official languages ​​and it is very hot. When I went to Russia, I only knew that the best medical universities are located here and it is very cold. It was really cold here, but it was fun. Every day I learn something new at the university and behind its walls. Actually, I don’t like to hang out very much, most of the time I spend in a dorm and go to the gym. After studying, I plan to go back to my homeland and work as a therapist for the first time, and then get a specialty of a gynecologist. As a child I went to boarding school, that is, I spent little time at home: about seven weeks a year, so I guess I don’t really miss home. But I really miss our food.

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Kaisu Rei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it must be a big culture shock to go from South Africa to Russia, but it seems like she's doing great!

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#3

Alima Kambi From Bakota, Gambia. Civil Engineering Major

Alima Kambi From Bakota, Gambia. Civil Engineering Major

I spend all my time studying, and that means a lot to me. Sadly, I’ll have to take a leave of absence next year due to financial issues, but I will do anything possible to complete my education.

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Grivzyrn Novarn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an interesting way to use a bed frame. You could put in a few hooks or a pole and you would have an airy wardrobe. But why does this thing block the door to the fridge?

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#4

Abina Zoua Bertrand From Yaounde, Cameroon. Management Major

Abina Zoua Bertrand From Yaounde, Cameroon. Management Major

I pay for my education myself and can only count on myself – my parents passed away a few years ago, that’s why I work as a loader part time. It’s extremely difficult but I don’t have a lot of choice, since there’s not many job opportunities for people of color. I need to get a degree so I hustle.

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Luis Milian
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

keep pushing yourself. it is never an easy Journey but it very rewarding!

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#5

Landry William Yao From Yaounde, Cameroon. Medicine Major

Landry William Yao From Yaounde, Cameroon. Medicine Major

I am very proud of my cup. We got it for winning a university football competition. I can’t live without sport. Also I’m an amazing cook, my friends call me “Le Cordon Bleu”. (That’s what the French call a virtuoso culinary, after a prestigious culinary school).

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#6

Rocky Mataruusse, From Libreville, Gabon. International Relations Major

Rocky Mataruusse, From Libreville, Gabon. International Relations Major

Sports is as important for me as education is. Rugby, boxing are my true passions. I do rugby professionally. I used to play for the national team in my home country. I’m a strong player and I need to train hard to improve my skills. It’s difficult in Russia to get into the team that suits my skill level because of the color of my skin.

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Fi Brown
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so sad that rather than being judged on merit, his skills are overlooked because of the colour of his skin.

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#7

Christiane Fleure From Abidjan, Ivory Coast. International Relations Major

Christiane Fleure From Abidjan, Ivory Coast. International Relations Major

Overall, I like studying here. If I ignore some of the little things, like some of the habits of the locals, it’s a cozy little town where everything is affordable. I’m missing African food though

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#8

Catalea L’or Ngiia From Libreville, Gabon. Business Informatics Major

Catalea L’or Ngiia From Libreville, Gabon. Business Informatics Major

I find blending in the local society difficult. I feel like a stranger. Girls in the university laugh when they see me. We’re in a strange situation here; we were promised great education and clean dorms. What we got is cockroaches in the rooms and lectures in Russian. We don’t fully understand the language and that’s a big issue that we ended up paying a lot of money for.

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Daria B
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they should have organised an intensive language course to complete before university, or to attend alongside as mandatory. Like it was the case with my university in Korea. I understand it's hard, and I really don't wanna blame anyone here, but yes - if you're going to a different country, you can expect you'll need to learn the language too. It's a bit naive not to think about it, or to expect otherwise. But, well, I hope you eventually learn from it and, possibly, acquire some Russian too. It's a beautiful language, just like yours. And you'll be so cool to speak one more language.

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#9

Banzie Joel From Nelspruit, South Africa. Medicine Major

Banzie Joel From Nelspruit, South Africa. Medicine Major

I didn’t expect having to share a room with three guys and having to sleep on bunk beds, but I’ve gotten used to that. There’s almost no personal space, but that can be fun sometimes.

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#10

Lotfi Zuari From Tunisia. Medicine Major

Lotfi Zuari From Tunisia. Medicine Major

I’ve only been here for a year, but I can say with confidence that the local population is very closed and hostile to arabs. We’ve had different situations. For the most part, we’re on our own here. Playing ball on the local stadium is my favorite activity.

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Kaisu Rei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm really sorry you've experienced hostility from the locals, unfortunately that's not uncommon in Europe. I hope you keep studying and focus on yourself and being happy and let the racists be miserable in their own lives!

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#11

Medfrank Cartel Mba From Libreville, Gabon. Chemical Technology Major

Medfrank Cartel Mba From Libreville, Gabon. Chemical Technology Major

Everyone knows that Russia has a good education, so I chose it. I like to study, I came here for this. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to make friends with some of the locals, they look down on us. Cultural exchange does not work, and it's sad. But we have our own company, we are all like brothers to each other.

After studying, I plan to return to my homeland and find a use for myself there.

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Kaisu Rei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's really sad to see how many of the students experience racism and discrimination!

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#12

Christelle Guezodje From Abomey, Benin. Medicine Major

Christelle Guezodje From Abomey, Benin. Medicine Major

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#13

Sandrine Dshang From Cameroon. Management Major

Sandrine Dshang From Cameroon. Management Major

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Michelle Cruz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You make me want to visit Cameroon! Keep going, you will do amazing things I just know it

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#14

Owolowo Akorede From Nigeria. Management Major

Owolowo Akorede From Nigeria. Management Major

This painting is one of the few things I bought here in Tambov. I liked how realistic the depiction of the woman is. She is very beautiful. Many of our guys want to be friend and hang out with the local girls, but they aren’t very friendly. That upsets me.

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Daria B
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah... You should try to study some psychology first. Then maybe you will know how to approach a woman. We feel threatened a lot when we sense intense interest from a total male stranger (regardless of ethnicity, but when the man is of an unknown culture, it's admittedly a bigger stress because you 1) don't wanna be disrespectful; and 2) you literally don't know what kind of person you might be dealing with and how your words and behaviour would be understood).

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Apollo Jean Hyacinthe
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, but Russians are very often xenophobic (I say this as a Russian who grew up there). When he says local he probably means they go to the same university, are in the same class, etc. They're basically refusing to talk to a classmate because he's not Russian like them: it's a very common thing to witness there.

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Nia Loves Art
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They owe you the same basic courtesy of not judging you by race that everyone else owes you.

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Time Matters
Community Member
4 years ago

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c_robison380 avatar
Time Matters
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You sir... are and angry confused person. What the h*ll are you doing sitting there with a painting of a nude white woman on your lap??? I don't blame the locals... "ain't it funny how the way you feel shows on your face." Get your mind out of the gutter, and focus on your work... and get yourself a black woman... there are some pretty black girls too you know. Christ... I get sick every time I look at this.

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Olesia Kovalenko
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: many international students studying in UKRAINE think Ukrainian women are easy and if they become rejected (which many do) they become resentful. I was studying as an international student in Ukraine and my classmates had no intention of actually having relationships with the local women. If rejected they went bezerk but if they were not rejected the whole international community would consider that specific girl a s**t. Confusing AF! They came from their countries where women are looked down upon and they wanted the local girls to be just like them but actually have sex with them. It was horrible. Of course not all international male students were like this. It was disgusting

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Olesia Kovalenko
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The countries: Turkmenistan, Jordan, Kurdistan (Turkey) and Georgia. These were the specific countries that had a problem with local women. BUT some of them married the locals. So can't really say everyone was horrible to the locals

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Jo Choto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure I would feel very friendly towards someone holding a picture like that.

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Nia Loves Art
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt that he carries around, but if he does it would explain his problems ; )

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Carol Emory
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Different cultures have different approaches when it comes to meeting women or asking a girl out. The same techniques of meeting women in Nigeria may be totally different from Russia. Language barriers and cultural barriers don't make it easy to meet people or make friends. There are those that are prejudice and racist..but for the most part, I think most people try to be nice..they just aren't sure how to approach it.

chemi812 avatar
Michelle Cruz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those girls are probably saving your lives! Closing doors are sometimes doors we do not need to go into. Keep studying and focus on your goals. You can do this!

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Jonny Chevalier
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

makes me wonder why he does not have a picture of girls of other colours?

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Nia Loves Art
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He only has one painted like that as far as I can tell. He probably got it in Russia, which is why it shows a white girl.

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c_robison380 avatar
Time Matters
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You traveled all the way to RUSSA... and all you can think about is your own selfish desires. The locals see that in you, too bad you can't see that in yourself. Focus on your work... or for the rest of your life... you will be... THE WORLD BIGGEST LOSSER.

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Alex K
Community Member
5 years ago

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hey, the guy just wants sum f*k. cant be blamed. lettim smash

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