“I was born and raised in Ufa, which has an amazing Bashkirian culture. Ufa is one of the biggest cities in Russia and about 1,300 kilometres southeast of Moscow. I spent a semester at a secondary school in Thornhill, Ontario and dreamed of returning to Canada to earn a bachelor’s degree. McMaster was the best fit for me, with its reputation for excellence in science and its unique, hands-on Medical Radiation Sciences program. From a very early age, I had always wanted to work in health care and this was the program that would help achieve my dream.

The transition to McMaster and Hamilton was hard at first because I missed my family very much. I was alone and a long way from home. Fortunately, I met two good friends while in residence. Even though we’re studying in different fields, we remain close.

Initially, I didn’t take advantage of everything McMaster offers international students. While my English is very good, it’s not perfect. Sometimes not knowing the exact translation of a word in a question can lead to giving the wrong answer. My advice to international students – don’t guess. Talk with your professors and get the help you need. I’m extremely thankful for my professors who’ve helped me deal with the language barrier and explain unfamiliar words on tests and assignments.