Naomi Asomani Antwi: “I was surprised to see the Russian custom of bringing sweets with you while visiting friends”
抖阴APP导航 continues publishing the stories of our international students as part of its Second Home project.
This time it’s Naomi Asomani Antwi, a PhD student of the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, a national the Republic of Ghana.
For the first time in Russia
Naomi discovered Russia back in 2003. After completing her bachelor’s degree at Kazan University in 2009, she returned to Ghana and came back to the capital of Tatarstan in 2022 for PhD studies.
鈥淚 felt that I would get lost here because at first I didn’t understand the inscriptions on the signs or the spoken language,” she says about her first days in Kazan.
The locals seemed very busy and always in a hurry to her. At the same time, she is sure that there is always someone ready to lend a helping hand in any situation.
鈥淒aily life here is not much different from life in my native country. The only thing is that because of the climate, summer in Russia is a clearly defined vacation period,鈥� says Naomi.
Russian culture, according to the young scientist, is surprisingly similar to her native country, especially in terms of family values, 鈥淚 like that Russians are very family-oriented people, trying to celebrate holidays or important dates in the circle of relatives. The culture of Ghana is also similar to the fact that the younger generation here is very respectful of their elders, honoring their parents and grandparents鈥�.
‘Herring under a fur coat’ vs. Ghanaian cuisine
During her stay in Russia, Naomi has grown very fond of solyanka, olivier and crab salad, but she does not dare to try traditional Russian herring under a fur coat.
鈥淚 was surprised by another Russian tradition related to visiting: when a person brings sweets for tea. In my country, it is unacceptable to bring something edible with you when you come to visit because it may offend the host,鈥� she says about the nuances of Ghanaian culture.
A sense of patriotism
The student notices the importance given to the patriotic education of Russian youth.
鈥淚t is very valuable to remember your national heroes. By the way, it is important for Russians that foreign students also know about the feats of your famous people. We were told about them even at the preparatory school,鈥� she emphasizes.
Science at 抖阴APP导航
Naomi is a PhD student at the Department of Botany and Plant Physiology. At the university, she is engaged in scientific research in cultivating plant tissues and cells in artificial conditions for planting materials, species conservation and production of biologically active substances.
In addition to her studies at the university, she teaches statistical methods of analysis in biology and medicine, as well as often joins cultural events organized by the International Office.
鈥淚 try to attend conferences, exhibitions, and creative meetings,鈥� she adds.
Second home
In a conversation with the journalist, the interlocutor admits that at first it was not easy for her in the new country because of difficulties with the Russian language, adaptation to the climate, and unfamiliar food.
鈥淥ver time, of course, everything changed for the better. Now I can communicate freely in Russian and improvise with local products to make homemade Ghanaian dishes. However, so far I have not been able to get used to the Russian winter,” she shares.
During her studies in Russia, Naomi has made many friends among both locals and students from other countries.
鈥淎fter graduation, I plan to return home and work in Ghana, but Russia will always be my second home,鈥� she concludes.