Riga, Latvia
Moa's Story
Medical Student – Riga Stradins University
What does a typical school day/week look like for you?
At Riga Stradiņš University, you receive a schedule that looks more or less the same every week, although it can vary slightly between different courses. I appreciate that classes are usually held at roughly the same times, as it makes planning easier and helps me establish a routine. Regardless of when my classes are, I always try to fit in a workout to compensate for all the sitting that comes with studying.
This semester (semester 5), I have many afternoon classes, so I try to work out in the mornings, even though I’m really not a morning person. I usually plan my weeks every Monday, once I have a sense of what I need to prioritize. This often depends on exam schedules and how demanding each subject is.
At RSU, lectures are not held in person; instead, they are pre-recorded so you can watch them when it suits you. This makes it easier to prioritize according to your own needs. The scheduled classes vary from theoretical sessions where you discuss the week’s topic, to practical labs and clinical visits to hospitals, depending on which semester you’re in. Much of the studying is based on personal responsibility and planning, but I think this provides the freedom to structure your days in the way that works best for you.
How do you live?
Riga is divided by a river, with the Old Town (Vecrīga) and city center (Centrs) on one side, and among other things the university’s main building on the other. My friends and I all live in the part of Riga called Centrs. It’s a fairly large area with many nice and affordable apartments. You can either live alone or with roommates, and both options are very common. I chose to live alone in a studio apartment and I’m very happy with that decision.
What do you think about your study destination? What do you do in your free time?
I had never been to Riga before moving here to study for six years, and it was of course nerve-wracking since both the language and culture were new to me. But today, I really enjoy living here and think Riga is a fantastic city. The city center and Old Town are very beautiful and full of history. In the summer, the city turns green, with countless cafés and restaurants to explore.
Riga is a relatively small capital compared to many others in Europe, which makes it easy to get around. A popular activity is visiting Jurmala, one of Europe’s longest natural sandy beaches, which is perfect during the summer months. Many events are also organized by different student associations, both on weekdays and weekends, offering great opportunities to meet students from all over the world.
I enjoy exercising and have joined one of Riga’s Saturday running clubs. This year, I also ran the Riga Half Marathon in May, a real city-wide celebration! For those interested in culture, there are many fascinating museums, including ones focused on the Soviet occupation. On an ordinary day, when I’m not studying in the library, you’ll usually find me in one of the city’s shopping centers or at one of the many cozy cafés.
Do you enjoy your studies? Would you recommend your education to others?
I really enjoy my education. I have always wanted to become a doctor, and when that opportunity wasn’t available in Sweden, I started looking at schools abroad. Even though studying abroad didn’t always feel like an obvious choice, Riga stood out to me.
As mentioned earlier, there are cultural differences between Sweden and Latvia, which are also reflected at the university. Hierarchies and a more traditional mindset still exist, which can feel unfamiliar at first. At the same time, many of the lecturers are highly knowledgeable and dedicated, and I feel that I’m receiving a solid education. Overall, I would absolutely recommend my program to others who want to become doctors.
What are your future plans?
I’m not entirely sure about my future plans yet, and I think that’s perfectly okay. There are certainly some specialties that feel especially interesting, but I haven’t made a final decision. I hope things will become clearer during the clinical years or during my internship (BT).
Since the program is taught in English, I’m also open to the possibility of working outside Sweden in the future, but that would be after completing my internship and possibly my specialization training (ST).
How did you decide to study abroad?
As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t have the grades required to study medicine in Sweden. After high school, I took a gap year and began exploring other programs that might interest me. However, I always came back to medicine as what I truly wanted to do. That’s when I decided to apply to study in Riga.
What advice would you give to future students considering studying abroad?
The most important advice I can give is: dare to take the leap. Once you know what you want to study, the final step is simply having the courage to go for it. I was also very torn at first about moving away from my family and boyfriend, they were my sense of security.
But wow, how much I’ve grown as a person, and how many incredible people I’ve met who I can’t imagine my life without today. When I started, there were around 350 new international students, all in the same situation: knowing no one and facing something completely new. Everything works out in the end.
So, my advice is, take the chance. It feels overwhelming at first, but you gain friends for life, a unique experience, and your dream education.
Has anything surprised you about your studies so far?
One of the biggest surprises has been how much the studies rely on personal responsibility. You quickly realize that lectures are just the foundation, and that you need to spend a lot of time reviewing and deepening your understanding on your own.
At the same time, I’ve been positively surprised by how quickly you actually learn new things, and how fast time passes. Another thing is how quickly you get used to studying entirely in English. At first, it felt unfamiliar, but now I hardly think about it at all. It’s intense and sometimes challenging, but incredibly fun!
