Riga, Latvia
Phyu's Story
Medical Student – Riga Stradins University
What does a typical school day look like for you?
I study medicine at RSU, or Riga Stradins University, which is the full name. I am currently in my second semester, and a typical school day varies depending on which subjects I have and what I plan to do that day. However, the school weeks this semester have been quite similar. I have classes starting as early as 8 a.m., and although this can be tiring at times, it is also eventful because I finish fairly early. This gives me a lot of freedom to use the rest of the day however I want or need.
In the second semester, we have fewer subjects than in the first—we went from 9 to 7 subjects. One of these is a B-course, which means you can choose an elective subject that interests you the most. I chose a course called Mental Health, which focuses on mental health. I would recommend it to everyone because it was incredibly interesting and worked a bit like an “escape” subject.
Another thing I really like about RSU is that many of the subjects include practical work. There are lots of lab sessions, experiments, hands-on classes, anatomical structures and models, and microscopes. The subjects we learn are also connected to each other. I can clearly see a common thread running through what we study, which is incredibly fun since medicine involves a lot of theory. You get a sense of accomplishment when you recognize or use material from one subject in another.
I also have to mention our cafeteria, because I am impressed compared to Norwegian school food. It is cheap, varied, healthy, and makes everyday life much easier for students. The university also has plenty of seating areas where you can study on your own or with friends.
Where and how do you live?
Enough about school, I would love to talk a bit about Riga. The first thing everyone notices is that Riga is truly a student city. On every street, every corner, and wherever you go in Riga, you find students. There are countless cafés you can visit, either alone or with friends, to chat, study, or simply enjoy yourself.
Riga also offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from street food and fast food to fancy dinners for celebrating birthdays, passed exams, and other special occasions. Even though I think winter can be terribly gray and depressing, there is still a lot happening in Riga. For example, there are Christmas markets, and the streets are decorated with a real sense of Christmas atmosphere and coziness.
Spring in Riga is also completely special and unique. You can feel the city come alive. Throughout the semester, regardless of the season, Riga offers several places to study. I live centrally and can go to cafés if I get tired of working at home or at the university. The National Library is open to everyone in Riga, so if I want to combine studying with a nice view, I like going there as well.
What do you think about your place of study, and what do you do in your free time?
I live alone in an apartment, a choice I am extremely happy with. My friends live nearby, and public transportation in Riga is easily accessible, so it’s not a problem if I need company.
In my free time, I enjoy relaxing at home with a good movie, TV series, or book. Most of all, I love doing nothing. It’s wonderful to just relax sometimes. RSU has various sports clubs and student organizations, so when I have time and feel like participating, I sign up. It’s a fun setup because you can socialize, learn, and stay active at the same time.
Do you enjoy your studies? Would you recommend your education to others?
I strongly recommend applying to study medicine because it helps you grow as a person through challenges. It tests your discipline, willpower, and mindset. Best of all is learning about the human body, how everything is connected, functions, and affects each other. It is incredibly fascinating, and I get so much joy from being able to help others with my knowledge.
Studying medicine is expensive, not only because we end up with millions in student loans, but because it costs us time, stress, pain, sleepless nights, and being far from home. Still, it is worth it. So if you have a dream or curiosity about what it’s like to study medicine, apply to RSU. Don’t let grades, fear, doubt, others, or most importantly yourself stand in the way of your goals.
What are your future plans?
I will of course specialize, but it’s a bit too early to say exactly in what. There are several fields I have been following with interest, such as cardiology, surgery, and anesthesiology. I’m excited to see where I end up!
What advice would you give to those considering studying medicine abroad?
Go for it! Medicine is tough and demanding, but not impossible. If you have a goal, achieve it. We are lucky to have the opportunity to study medicine with unlimited resources and support, so please don’t be afraid to fail. Setbacks are learning opportunities for growth. Best of luck!!!
Has anything surprised you about the studies so far?
One thing that really sets RSU apart from other universities is that we are divided into groups of a maximum of 20 students. In some subjects, several groups have joint teaching sessions, such as in anatomy, but otherwise we learn in small groups. This is great because it gives you more opportunities to ask questions and have better contact with the professors.
Each group has a group leader, and each semester has a common semester representative. This system allows us to communicate with the university in a formal and well-organized way.
