Job Discussion Forums

[c-boy]

Hello all,

Please i would like to get your advice on which country amongst Russia or Ukraine that you see as a better option to study in, especially for a masters degree.

Please i would prefer if you include many factors like cost of study, cost of living, better education and facilities, job opportunities during and after studies, better recognized certificate, hospitality, chances of remain after studies to get work experience and others which you deem necessary.

I would appreciate your replies as i am doing a comparison of which to choose for my master study.

Best Regards

[spiral78]

A couple of useful bits of information about you for us:

how's your Russian/Ukrainian?

What qualifications do you have for work during your study?

[canucktechie]

Ukraine is cheaper and has far fewer hassles with visas and registration.

Obviously if you wanted to study Russian you'd go somewhere like Kharkov rather than Lviv.

Of course the downside of being cheaper is that the job opportunities are not as good.

[neponimayu]

I would advise you not to throw your money away at a Russian university. I can't really speak as much for Ukrainian ones, but I imagine they're the same. A degree from a Russian university is hardly worth the paper it's written on and unfortunately their educational methodology is sorely lacking. I mean, I can't tell you how many students I've had that have been studying English in university for years and hardly know more than the alphabet, numbers and present simple. If Russian universities are good, why are private language schools overflowing with university students and even more amusing, Russian EFL teachers?

Another case in point, most of the professionals I teach or have taught that work for foreign companies have consistently been spited by their need for extra credentials to get ahead in their career. For instance, I had a student who worked for Shell who did the exact same thing as my father (who works for BP). My father only has a BA in Geology and a lot of experience, the Russian who works for Shell has a degree, experience, had to get various certifications and take a test to do the same job. If the said Russian in question wants to go work in Holland or America for Shell, he'll have to get even more certifications, pass various English proficiency tests, and some stupid company administered test which shows he's up to date on western oil practices (Russian rigs are about 20 or so years behind the times).... looks like he's gonna be in Siberia and Sakhalin for awhile.

My roommate has a private student who apparently is one of the most brilliant young lawyers in Russia. He graduated top of his class and graduated early, and has had over 100 articles printed in various journals and such. What is he doing now? Applying to American and Dutch law schools, of course, because his Russian credentials are only good in Russia. I've heard similar stories reiterated numerous times by other business students too.

Moral of the story, get a western degree. It will guarantee you more money in Moscow or wherever else in Russia you go (I know one teacher who was saying you can start at $130,000 in Moscow with a Western MBA, I don't know if I trust his opinion though) and you always have the option of going home if you want to. If you really want to get a MA in Russian, I think you'd probably be better off getting it from a decent British university and getting work experience than getting it from the best Russian universities. This is just my experience with the subject, you're of course welcome to do what you want. Best of luck in whatever you decide!

[c-boy]

Hello neponimayu,

I a really appreciate your information.
I am an African and not a Russian, and speak very fluent English as that's my official language.
I am trying to consider both on basis of the criteria i listed and, cost of study and recognition of certificate and degree are also very important factors as well as experience and others.
I already have a Bachelor's Degree and is thinking where to get a good MSc in Environmental related science course but don't have much money. I get the information that Russian education is of high standard and well accepted in Europe.

@ neponimayu, are u based in Russia? Pls tell me more as you have more info about me now.

@ canucktechie, Thank you

@ spiral78, I am a foriegner(African), dont Know Russian/Ukrainian and hold a Bsc, want to do an MSc. You have a little info about me now, so tell me about my question.

I already have some few(2-3) Universities i am talking to already in Russia for a master's degree and have a link to a few in Ukraine too but wish to do my due diligence on both before moving ahead as time is running out for me to make my final move on this.

I still await more information from anybody as i believe they will be valuable to me.

Best Regards to you all

[jpvanderwerf2001]

neponimayu,
Are you here in Vladivostok?

[neponimayu]

JP: I'm not in Vladivostok, actually quite far from it, but have always been curious about the Russian Far East. I'm in Moscow now and have also taught outside Moscow in the South.

C-Boy: Sorry, I really misunderstood where you were coming from. I assumed you were probably from the US, Britain, Canada or Australia, and I was obviously wrong, my apologies. Anyway, I don't really know what advice to give you then, it may be in your interest to get a Russian degree if it is worth something in your home country, I just know it's not worth much in a lot of western countries. As for me, I'm American and I have a BA in English and a Minor in Philosophy from an American University (although I spent a year at a British university. I haven't been in Russia nearly as long as some of the other posters on here, who perhaps can give you better advice, but I told you what I know from my experience. The only other thing I might say if you're considering Russia and you don't really look Caucasian, life can be a bit harder in Russia for you than it is for other foreigners. Russians are hardly politically correct, at least by Western standards, and they tend to put quite a bit of stock in racist jokes. However, this may not be a problem for you as for all I know you could be a well-to-do white South African, but just be forewarned. Best of luck!

[c-boy]

@ neponimayu,

Thanks alot. Ur info is well appreciated.
Well i am not south African, but Nigerian.
I want somewhere alittle bit cheap for my education but with good and widely acceptable standards. Thats why i am comparing these places. If there is any other better places with such qualities and chances of getting jobs during and after studies i would appreciateknowing them. I thank you once more for your info and wouldn't mind if your give more.

I will still expect more info from others.

best regards to you all