How Powerful is Your International Passport?

      A very important requirement to travel from one country to another in every country is a passport. It is in the passport Visas get stamped and travelling is possible. Without a visa a traveller cannot buy a flight ticket to the country he or she is travelling to. And without a passport one cannot travel by flight on a long distance in and out of his or her country or even within the country by flight. If a country does not grant you a visa but you find a way to get to that country; you're an illegal immigrant and can be jailed or sent back home and banned from ever travelling to that country. Yes guys,  its that serious. However there are some countries with more powerful passports than others.
One may ask, what makes a passport powerful? Isn't it just a book where visas get stamped in?
Apparently, a passport is more than just a book. The strength or power of a passport is calculated or measured by the number of countries one can visit without a visa. This means if you have a passport and you have to get a visa before making every trip then your passport isn't that powerful and unfortunately there is nothing you can do about it. The least powerful passports are as follows in ascending order;

1. Burundi, North Korea, Myanmar (42 countries can be visited without a request for a visa).
2. Bangladesh, Congo, Lebanon, Sri Lanka (39 countries).
3. Kosovo, South Sudan, Yemen (38 countries).
4. Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Nepal, Palestinian Territory, Sudan (37 countries).
5. Libya (37 countries).
6. Syria (32 countries).
7. Somalia (31 countries).
8. Iraq (30 countries).
9. Pakistan (29 countries).
10. Afghanistan (25 countries).

The Ghanaian passport is not part of the least powerful passports in the world. Are you wondering that it could be probably part of the ten most powerful passports in the world? Well, lets list them to find out if the Ghanaian passport is that powerful.
Below are the top ten powerful passports in the whole world in descending order;

1. Germany (177 countries can be visited without a visa requirement ).
2. Sweden (176 countries).
3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, United States of America (175 countries).
4. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, (174 countries).
5. Austria, Japan, Singapore (173 countries).
6. Canada, Ireland, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland (172 countries).
7. Greece, New Zealand (171 countries).
8. Australia (169 countries).
9. Malta (168 countries).
10. Hungary, Czech Republic, Iceland (167 countries).

Wow! So neither Ghana nor its neighbouring countries was seen in this category. Well, that means Ghana is neither powerful nor less powerful. With a Ghanaian passport, one can travel to a maximum of 66 countries without a VISA. These countries are listed below;

1. ARMENIA
2. AZERBAIJAN
3. BANGLADESH
4. BARBADOS
5. BELARUS
6. BENIN
7. BELIZE
8. BURKINA FASO
9. CAPE VERDE
10. COOK ISLANDS
11. CÔTE D'IVOIRE
12. CAMBODIA
13. COMOROS
14. DOMINICA
15. DJIBOUTI
16. EGYPT
17. ECUADOR
18. FIJI
19. GEORGIA
20. MICRONESIA 
21. GRENADA
22. GAMBIA
23. GINEA-BISSAU
24. HAITI
25. KENYA
26. LIBERIA
27. MALI
28. SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
29. MAURITANIA
30. MONTSERRAT
31. MAURITIUS
32. MAURITANIA
33. MALAWI
34. NIGER
35. NIGERIA
36. NIUE
37. PHILIPINES
38. KOSOVO
39. SINGAPORE
40. SIERRA-LEONE
41. SENEGAL
42. SWAZILAND
43. TOGO
44. TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
45. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
46. BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
47. VANUATU
48. IRAQ
49. JORDAN
50. LAOS
51. SAINT LUCIA
52. MADAGASCAR
53. MACAU
54. MALDIVES
55. MOZAMBIQUE
56. NAURU
57. PALAU
58. SEYCHELLES
59. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
60. EAST TIMOR
61. TUVALU
62. TANZANIA
63. UGANDA
64. SAMOA
65. ZIMBABWE
66. JAMAICA                                  

These are the countries one can visit without a visa but with a Ghanaian passport. Do you also wanna know where your passport can take you to? Just leave a comment below and we will get back to you on it.
Thanks for taking time to read this week's edition. Please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

100 Ways To Perfect Your Life With Richard Carlson

https://read.amazon.com/kp/kshare?asin=B004RCNSU6&id=Xg3EVtgzTEafsfwdCxxxCA&reshareId=SZHZXEM2JE9DNCQQQXCY&reshareChannel=system
CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO READ THE BOOK FOR FREE ON AMAZON.COM

1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
2. Make peace with perfection.
3. Let go of the idea that gentle, relaxed people can't be super achievers.
4. Be aware of the snowball effect of your thinking.
5. Develop your compassion.
6. Remind yourself that when you die your "In Basket" won't be empty.
7. Don't interrupt others or finish their sentences.
8. Do something nice for someone else and don't tell anyone else.
9. Let others have the glory.
10. Learn to live in the present moment.
11. Imagine that everyone else is enlightened except you.
12. Let others be "right" most of the times.
13. Become more patient.
14. Create "Patience Practice Periods".
15. Be the first one to act loving or reach out.
16. Ask yourself the question "WILL THIS MATTER A YEAR FROM NOW?
17. Surrender to the fact that life isn't fair.
18. Allow yourself to be bored.
19. Lower your tolerance to stress.
20. Once a week, write a heartfelt letter.
21. Imagine yourself at your own funeral.
22. Repeat to yourself "Life isn't an emergency".
23. Experiment with your "Back Burner".
24. Spend a moment everyday thinking about someone to thank.
25. Smile at strangers, Look into their eyes and say hello.
26. Set aside quiet time, everyday.
27. Imagine the people in your life as tiny infants and as one-hundred-year-old adults.
28. Seek first to understand.
29. Become a better listener.
30. Choose your battles wisely.
31. Become aware of your moods and don't allow yourself to be fooled by the low ones.
32. Life is a test. It's only a test.
33. Praise and blame are all the same.
34. Practice random acts of kindness.
35. Look beyond behaviour.
36. See the innocence.
37. Choose being kind over being right.
38. Tell three people (today) how much you love them.
39. Practice humility.
40. When in doubt about whose turn it is to take out the trash, go ahead and take it out.
41. Avoid weatherproofing.
42. Spend a moment, everyday, thinking about someone to love.
43. Become an Anthropologist.
44. Understand separate realities.
45. Develop your own helping rituals.
46. Everyday, tell at least one person something you like, admire or appreciate about them.
47. Argue for your limitations and they are yours.
48. Remember that everything has God's fingerprints on it.
49. Resist the urge to criticise.
50. Write down your five most stubborn positions and see if you can soften them.
51. Just for fun, agree with criticism directed toward you (then watch it go).
52. Search for the grain of truth in other opinions.
53. See the glass as already broken (and everything else).
54. Understand the statement, "WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE".
55. Breathe before you speak.
56. Be grateful when you're feeling good and graceful when you're feeling bad.
57. Become a less aggressive driver.
58. Relax.
59. Adopt a child through the mail.
60. Turn your melodrama into mellow-drama.
61. Read articles and books with entirely different points of view from your own and try to learn something.
62. Do one thing at a time.
63. Count to ten.
64. Practice being the "EYE IN THE STORM".
65. Be flexible with changes in your plans.
66. Think of what you have instead of what you want.
67. Practice ignoring your negative thoughts.
68. Be willing to learn from friends and family.
69. Be happy where you are.
70. Remember you become what you practice most.
71. Quiet the mind!
72. Take up Yoga.
73. Make service an integral part of your life.
74. Do a favour and don't ask for, or expect, one in return.
75. Think of your problems as potential teachers.
76. Get comfortable not knowing.
77. Acknowledge the totality of your being.
78. Cut yourself some slack!
79. Stop blaming others.
80. Become an early riser.
81. When trying to be helpful, focus on little stuff.
82. Remember, one hundred years from now, all new people.
83. Lighten up.
84. Nurture a plant.
85. Transform your relationship to your problems.
86. The next time you find yourself in an argument, rather than defend your position, see if you can see the other point of view first.
87. Redefine a "MEANINGFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT".
88. Listen to your feelings ( they are trying to tell you something).
89. If someone throws you the ball, you don't have to catch it.
90. One more passing show.
91. Fill your life with love.
92. Realise the power of your own thoughts.
93. Give up on the idea that "more is better".
94. Keep asking yourself "what's really important".
95. Trust your intuitive heart.
96. Be open to "What is".
97. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
98. Look for the Extraordinary in the ordinary.
99. Schedule time for your inner work.
100. LIVE THIS DAY AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST. IT MIGHT BE.

If you enjoyed this please share and leave your comments below. If you would also like to read more books from Richard Carlson, then click on the link above, beneath the photo to read this particular book "DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF", and many more books. Thanks for your time.

I Had Sex With Black Guys For Happiness, Confessions of a Russian Lady.

WHO IS A HAPPY PERSON?
            Many people on earth have the sole aspiration of living a happy life. Some say a happy life isn't necessarily a rich life. Some say money doesn't bring happiness others say they would rather be in a sad-rich marriage than to be in a sad-poor marriage.It is accompanied by the saying "I would prefer to cry in a Range Rover than to cry on an empty stomach".  So that brings us to the question, Who is a happy person and what is a happy life. How can we get it in case we are not living a happy life and can we be happy in this life?
The bible says "for what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?". does it mean we shouldn't seek for a better life? Should one continue to dwell in abject poverty just because the Bible says there's no profit in gaining the whole world? Well, these are too many rhetorical questions. Lets move straight to the point; the Russian lady who wanted to have intimacy, sexually, just for self-happiness. How we met was very weird and interesting at the same time. I will save you the trashy details and hit the nail right on the head.
          According to Professor Elena Vladimirovna, a happy person is a person who loves his or her place in the society. After reading a tract from her, i decided to meet her in person to get more understanding and explanation to that particular statement. She then explained further that there are many people in this world who do not like their place in the society. Even some ladies wished they were born boys and that alone makes them very unhappy in this world. A family filled with love being there for you at anytime you need them, a dream job or a job that require you to do what you love doing most even if it takes most of your time. This takes my mind back to something i heard from Uncle Ebo Whyte, a Ghanaian Playwright. According to him, if a person takes up a job that he or she doesn't love, that person is on a dreadful route to regret. So that is to say, the money one earns from a job can never make that person a happy person.Your place in this world as a child, a student, a father, a son or even just being a part of the society determines the happiness of your life.
         She also added that the word happiness or the feeling of happiness is fleeting but joy stays for a long period of time. One can be happy for not less than a day and right after a few minute a person's mood can drift  from happy to sad. However a joyful person is always happy so the feeling of sadness here plays the vice versa role. Joyful people have the emotion of joy as a daily attitude so they hardly fall into sorrow for a long time neither do they also allow sorrow to get the best of them.
Further more, a happy person is satisfied with his or her needs, according to Professor Vladimirovna.

That brings up the question, can a person be happy in this world at all?
Well, the answer is a big yes but the sad news here is that it takes more than liking your place n the society. It takes more than being satisfied with your needs and so does it take more than sex or whatever form of drug or addiction (guilty pleasures).
It is a conscious effort one has to take. Trying to be happy in this world is an attitude one adds to his or her playlist of daily act. When one starts this Happiness journey, most of the times its easy to give up but as it was said early on, it is a conscious effort and nothing good comes easy.
         Is there an easy way out? That is a very big question the Professor is yet to get back to us on. She then listed the 12 basic tools to implement to aid one on this road to happiness.

1. Love
2. Respect
3. Work
4. Do not Expect too much from people
5. Live each day as if it were your last
6. Don't restrict yourself from having a little fun (after all all work and no play makes everybody dull and hungry)
7. Kindness (giving without expecting any reward in return)
8. Do not take this 'life thing" too serious
9. Learn or set to acquire more knowledge
10. Surround yourself with the right people
11. Set some rules and standard for your ( for example a diet or gym trainings among others)
12. Forgive and if you can not just learn how to!

    

    Your family is the first place to practise happiness.
    
    

Well, this is what we have for you for this week. What do you also have for us. do you think some things should have been added or some hints were left out? Well don't hesitate to keep your comments coming through and feel free to contact the Writer and the Lydia's World's team. Your comments really matter to us and we can't wait to hear from you. Thanks for reading. Please click on the follow button for more updates and get ready for the juiciest news on this planet all on this platform.

Yours Lydia's World.
Senior Writer.








nanaandlydiagossip.blogspot.ru

"Nigerian Government Sent Us To Russia To Suffer", says Nigerian Students on Scholarship

Nigerian students on scholarship in Russia standing in front of the Nigerian
Embassy situated in Moscow.

Nigeria has a relation with Russia (Bilateral system) where Russia allows Nigerian Students to come study on scholarships. These students go through the hard task of writing exams and getting selected, then they get to Russia only to be met with hunger and hardship. Some news agencies became interested in this story and the Charge d'Affaires called the student to threaten him never to grant any interview to the press. This case got us more interested in Nigeria's "corrupt" ( as described by David Cameron) government and why they will grant students permission to a country only to leave them to their fate. Please note that this interview was written by a non-biased journalist who is only interested in putting things right, without any alterations or personal sentiments with the Nigerian government. This interview is also in no way tarnishing the image of Nigeria but a strong medium to let Nigeria hear the crisis their future leaders are going through in Russia as the stipends of students on scholarship are not being paid appropriately making the students suffer psychologically and emotionally.

We had a hard time finding a student to talk to us because of the fear of being sent back to Nigeria for "tarnishing the image of the nation" as Mr. Gafai Ibrahim Usman puts it. Our team finally found a student from Moscow to speak to us but pleaded to stay anonymous due to fear of going back to Nigeria. The interview was not really planned. We had our Assistant News Editor to conduct the interview since she was there during the protest.

TEAM LYDIA: I would like to know more about the Nigerian students on scholarship, I guess we should hit the nail right on the head. Do you know why the stipends are not being paid to the students?

N. STUDENT: They give several excuses why the stipends are not paid like the budget hasn't been passed or it was passed late. They also tell us that the money has to go through several procedures and several ministries before it gets to us here in Russia.

TEAM LYDIA: How is the scholarship being applied for and what are the requirements? Any SAT's or special exams?

N.STUDENT: Yeah, we apply on a site and the applicant should have at least six distinctions with passes in English and Mathematics in WASSCE. The scholarship is under the FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD which is also a branch of the FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION. The applicant needs no SAT, there is a special exams conducted after submitting the WASSCE results which is conducted in six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

TEAM LYDIA: How many states are there in Nigeria?

N. STUDENT: There are 36 states in Nigeria, and the exams are conducted in the six geo-political zones every year. The zones change every year.

TEAM LYDIA: What are other requirements to apply for the scholarship?

N. STUDENT: A valid passport, birth certificate, several copies of passport-sized photographs. Then later we go for medical fitness report from our health institutions and later we come for screening conducted by the scholarship officials.

TEAM LYDIA: After one is granted the scholarship and successfully gets to the country of study, how much is allocated to the person and how often is agreed on?

N. STUDENT: We were promised $500 every MONTH for upkeep and $200 dollars every YEAR for health insurance.

TEAM LYDIA: How long have you been in Russia and how many times have you received the stipends?

N. STUDENT: I have been in Russia for three years and have received the stipends twice.

TEAM LYDIA:  If you are entitled to $500 every month, then by the end of every year you should receive  $6000, and you being in Russia for 3 years means you have received $18000, would you say you have received this amount of money from the government of Nigeria?

N. STUDENT: No! I haven't received $18,000 from the stipends being paid. I have only received a total of less than $6,000 since I came to Russia.

TEAM LYDIA: Do you have any idea of whom the money goes through before getting to you?

N. STUDENT: The embassy has an accountant who receives the money from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when the Bills are been signed into Acts.

TEAM LYDIA: Do you think President Buhari should investigate and revamp the Nigerian embassy in Russia?

N. STUDENT: Well, I think they should look through all the channels through which the money gets to us.

TEAM LYDIA: Has Nigerian government cared for you?

N. STUDENT: The calls are being made only to our representatives, we have an association where we have appointed some students as representatives. Personally no one has called to ask how i am faring?

TEAM LYDIA: I learnt there was a protest or a demonstration recently, tell me about it.

N. STUDENT: We went for a peaceful demonstration at the Nigerian embassy in Moscow. We were able to meet the officials and the ambassador. They listened to us and told us they will find a way to resolve our grievances.

TEAM LYDIA: First of all, when did you start receiving the stipends?

N. STUDENT: I received my first stipend towards the end of my first semester in first year. So throughout my foundation studies of one year, I never received any money from the scholarship team. I had to study the language for a whole year and through it all I neither received not heard from the scholarship officials. It was in my first year, getting to the end of first semester that I received some amount of amount in my account.

TEAM LYDIA: Are there sincerely needy but brilliant students among the students who apply for this scholarship? And how do you think they survive?

N. STUDENT: Yes there are. The school helps us by giving us $22 every month. So I think that is how they are able to survive. This money doesn't even last for a week.

TEAM LYDIA: What do you have to say to the people in authority?

N. STUDENT: I will plead with them to carefully look through this issue and rectify the mishaps occurring in all the agencies now. I think the system should be checked thoroughly. The welfare of the students should also be a concern to the authorities.

TEAM LYDIA: How have you survived?

N. STUDENT: I use to receive money from home with my Gt Bank card, but now all international usage of locals cards have been suspended which makes life very difficult. I now have to cut down on so many things even food, which makes me feel so bad. So now I can't withdraw money with my card anymore.

TEAM LYDIA: Tell me about the Nigerian student who had the interview with the local Tv station and what happened to him after speaking to the journalist.

N. STUDENT: The name of the Tv station is Channels Tv. in Nigeria . The student reached out to them so that the problems we are facing here could be made known to the government and at least some help could be sent to us here in Russia. They had a conversation via Skype and the news was aired. Later on he got a call from the Ambassador (Nigeria's Ambassador to Russia) threatening him to never repeat that action again else his scholarship term will be terminated.
   It is the fear of being sent back home that makes us keep quiet and suffer the hardship we are facing here. How i wish they could know how it feels when it's so cold and i have to walk through the cold with my "not so warm coat" just because I can't afford a warmer coat.
I pray this information goes far so we can receive help because we are seriously suffering.

                        ***************************************************
For a moment we all got so emotional and couldn't continue with the interview because of the words of the innocent Nigerian student who didn't know this was what he was getting himself into by applying for the scholarship. We plead with the agencies involved to please help these students out and make their request granted and not pending.
Thank you.

By: Charlotte Naa Takoe (Ass. International News Coordinator)
       Geraldine Lawson ( Asst. News Editor)

Why We Went Silent For A While, Never Give Up on Your Dreams

THE SEVEN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND THEIR TOTAL VOTES

HELLO  WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, we got all of your messages and we tried explaining why we haven't published anything in such a long time. Well today we will tell you all about it.
          The Republic of Ghana had their elections on 7th, December 2016, and that is part of the reasons why we couldn't post anything. Our main writer Nana Antwi Owusu-Ansah had to give a live report and give other statistics for the elections to the people. At long last just as Donald Trump shocked the Americans, so did Nana Addo-Danquah Akuffo-Addo also shock Ghanaians by winning the elections. At the moment President Mahama is probably writing his outgoing speech and cleaning the FLAGSTAFF HOUSE up for the NEW President.
         Personally, I think God had something to do with NDC and Mahama's one term service. This is funny but lets analyse the situation and you'll all understand what we mean by God intervened. The first president from NDC ( one of the main political parties in Ghana , currently the opposition party), was the founder, Rt. Flt. Lft. Jerry John Rawlings, then The Late John Evans Fiifi Atta-Mills, then Outgoing President John Dramani Mahama. All these presidents that came out from this party were all called John, so we had 1st John, 2nd John and 3rd John just as we have in the Holy Bible . The funny thing here is that the last John in the bible which is 3rd John had one chapter, so it was meant to happen that John Dramani Mahama wouldn't move on.
            At the moment the new president-elect is waiting patiently for 7th January, 2017 to be properly enstooled and handled the mantle to continue the good job the other presidents started. We at Lydia's World Blog say congratulations to the new president.
It wasn't easy and even we at Lydia's World can testify.

THE NEW PRESIDENT OF GHANA ,ELECTED 2016

Secondly, we encountered some major technical problems which we've sorted out now. We at Lydia's World Blog would like to say a big thank you to everyone who spends quality thing to share and go through our work. Please don't forget to follow and share.
       Learn not to give up on what you want. The feeling of giving up arises when one is close to winning. Be strong and do not listen to the crowd. This week, make sure you eat well, dress to intimidate and tune your confidence level to 100%.

By: Aigel Van-Hershon (Ass. Page Manager Lydia's World Blog, UK)

Did "Afia Schwaznegger" get married or what?

On October 22, 2016 Afia Schwaznegger whose real name is Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa and Lawrence Abrokwa tied the knot privately and quietly in South Africa inside a church at Florida Lake in Johannesburg. The couple had their traditional marriage ceremony the 3 December, 2016 in Accra. Why did it take this long though? All we can do is to pray and wish them well.

Below are some of the wedding pictures taken in Johannesburg

Below are the traditional wedding pictures

CONGRATULATIONS GIRL, WE WISH YOU A HAPPY MARRIAGE FROM PARIS!!!

8,500 Men Will be Diagnosed With Testicular Cancer

The testicles are made up of several cells, each of which can develop into one or more types of testicular cancer. But more than 90% of cancers of the testicles develop in cells that make sperm, known as germ cells. One would want to know at what age he is likely to be diagnosed with testicular cancer. According to Eric A. Klein, men aged 15-34 are most at risk for testicular cancer.  This disease accounts for approximately 11-13 of all cancer deaths within the age range.
SYMPTONS OF TESTICULAR CANCER

1. Dull pain in lower back or belly
2. Heavy feeling in scrotum
3. Swollen testicles
4. Shortness of breath.
5. Headache.
6. Coughing.
7. Chest pain.
8. Confusion

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU GUYS
According to the American Cancer Society only about 1 out of every 263 males will develop testicular cancer at some point in life.
This disease can be treated successfully. A man's lifetime risk of dying from it is only about 1 in 5,000.
HOW TO CHECK YOURSELF

• Check one testicle at a time
• gentle roll testicle between thumb and fingers.
• Feel for hard lumps, smooth bumps or changes in size and consistency.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL A BUMP 
Just because you felt a bump doesn't mean you have testicular cancer. It may be;

1. Warts (bump on the scrote)
2. A hernia (workout injury)
3. An infection (STD's)
4. Testicular Torsion (NSFW)

Don't panic, just see a doctor. The causes are still unknown. The doctor will shine a strong light behind the testicle and numerous tests will be conducted to verify. According to Cleveland Clinic, testicular cancer is treated successfully 95% of the time. Early detection puts you at a chance of being cured up to 98% so TOUCH YOUR BALLS NOW!!!

Below are some very disturbing photos but very educative.

how to touch and feel testicles

description of what to look for

don't be scared !!!

REFERENCE: BROTHER SNAP NEWS

International Students In Russia Speak !!!

         The world has reached that stage where everyone is looking for the opportunity to study abroad for higher remuneration, experience, expertise and among other important reasons. The Russian Federation has become one favourite destination of study. Students travel to Russia to study and graduate all the time but what are the conditions over there? . According to statistics, Russia is one of the few countries students love to to travel to and whatsoever the reason may be, we will all find out by the end of the post.
         Our news team at Lydia's World went all the way to Russia to find out how international students are faring and below are the exact words from the students; no editing nor changes made. We  tell you just as they told us.We spoke to both the new and the old students from different universities. Some wanted to remain anonymous and some were just happy to speak to our news team.
         In our interview with them, these were the questions we asked them. They also had the right to not answer any question they were uncomfortable with.

1. Name?
2. Country?
3. Why Russia for studies?
4. Course of study ?
5. Any misconceptions or rumours about Russia before coming?
6. Who decided, your parent or yourself?
7. How does it feel like studying in Russia?
8. Was it worth leaving your country for Russia?
9. How long have you been in Russia?
10. Ever been involved in a relationship with a Russian?
11. Has your respective country embassy been helpful to you since you came to Russia?
12. Any suggestions for better living and studies to the Russian school and government?
13. Would you advice a relative to come study here?
14. Would you consider working and living in Russia after studies?
15. On a scale from 1to 10, where 1 is worst and 10 is best, rate your stay here in Russia?
16. What do you have to say to students who claim there are no jobs in Russia?

Allen Lee
Chinese studying in Russia (decided to remain anonymous)

My name is Allen Lee, I come from China.I have been in Russia for about two years and it has been fantastic. What i don't like about Russia is that its so cold and some things are expensive here as compared to China my homeland. I also don't like the fact that Russia doesn't  have enough fruits and vegetables which limits my cooking and i think that's all. I have been in a relationship with a Russian before and i still am in a relationship with a Russian lady and its good. Russian ladies are good. I don't regret coming to Russia. I just feel disturbed sometimes because  its not easy studying in the Russian language. I suggest teachers should also study the English language, many lecturers don't speak english and it makes it difficult for them to understand what i mean. Not only English but also other languages. From one to ten, I will rate my life in Russia 6.

Emmanuel Owusu Aboagye
Ghanaian in Russia

 My name is Emmanuel Owusu Aboagye, a Ghanaian studying Economics here in Russia. I could have studied economics in Ghana but you know its abroad and they have good teachers and this is the place i can study Economics very well and move on. I have been in Russia for close to five weeks. It was my decision to come to Russia, well I heard so many scary stories about Russia. I heard the weather is really cold and i was a little bit scared. I heard they were racists too but i haven't experienced anything like that since i came here. Its great studying here in Russia. I really like Russia and i think it was worth the decision. I would love to live and work in Russia after studies but not for long. I also have to go back to my country and help my country. I would love my relatives and friends to come study here because the teachers are so good. I would rate life and study here in Russia 9 out of ten.

Rashad Mexdiyev
From Azerbaijan in Russia

My name is Rashad and I have have been in Russia for a year and quarter. I am from Azerbaijan. Studying here (Volgograd) is not as awesome as studying in Moscow but it also has its interesting times. I just can't seem to adapt to the very cold weather in Russia. I have been in a relationship with a Russian lady before and she was good. And African girls are good too. 

 On the whole I don't regret coming here but sometimes I get very tired and stressed and when I don't get it all because I am being taught in a different language , and teachers talk very fast, I just feel like going back home. However, this is a feeling that comes once in a blue moon.

        I really wished the third floor of the hostel where I live could be kept a little quiet since it's too noisy. Also, I have never really needed the help of the Embassy. I love all the teachers in my school and I mean that. From one to ten, I will give studying in Russia 7.

(**TRANSLATED FROM RUSSIAN TO ENGLISH**)

Jason Umar Miqdad
Ghanaian studying Computer Engineering
in Russia.

My name is Jason Miqdad from Ghana. I have been in Russia for about a month now. I am here for Computer Engineering because I have interest in computing and looking at the trend the world is taking, very soon computing or technology will take over and will be part of our daily lives. I learnt Russia is very good in this particular course that was why i chose to study it here ( I also saw it online). I didn't really hear any scary news about Russia before coming. It was my decision to come to Russia. When I was a child I always wanted to travel outside Ghana and Russia was the country I wanted to travel to; it was an innate decision. I find studying in Russia very cool. It was really worth it coming here. The main reason was to come and study, and work here. If possible I will marry a Russian lady and give birth as well. I will rate life in Russia 10 out of ten.

Clinton Azubuike
Nigerian studying Medicine in Russia

I am Clinton from Nigeria, and I am here to study Medicine. Medicine is something I have always wanted to do since I was a kid . I have been here for three weeks. I chose Russia because, I heard the fees are very affordable and living in Russia, especially this city Volgograd, is very comfortable. Although I heard of racism cases before coming here I think it is now over considering i haven't heard of any of such incidences. My parents decided for me to come to Russia. I am still trying to cope here. It was worth leaving Nigeria. I would really want my friends and family in Nigeria to come join me here because the fees here are even more affordable than some schools in Nigeria. A university like MacDonald University where my sister studies, take exactly as i pay here. I will give life in Russia 10.

Peter Lamptey
Ghanaian Studying Chemical En-
geneering in Russia

I am Peter Lamptey from Ghana studying Chemical Engineering. I have been here for one year two months now and it has been cool, just the Russian language that makes things tough here. There is nothing really i don't like about Russia but definitely have some things i like about them. A few encounters with my mates show they are very friendly, anyways some are sceptical when they meet you for the first time.  Russians organised, industrious and time conscious. When a Ghanaian meets a white man, he or she tries to slow down when talking so the foreigner can understand him or her. Well that is not the case here. Russians speak very fast and treat you as though you were Russian. The teachers are different though. They slow down and try to give the international students different topics to treat so the whole class can be on the same page. I don't regret coming to Russia. I suggest Russian students should be made to live with the foreign students for exchange of culture and more importantly the language. I haven't really experience any form of racism from any white person since i came here. 

      I personally haven't been in need of any service from the Ghanaian embassy in Russia but my friends who have, say so far its been good. One no longer have to go back to Ghana to replace passport in cases of stolen, expired, destroyed or misplaced passport. I will rate life in Russia 8.

Mohammed Ali Mohammed Ali Basim Ali
From Iraq studying Economics in Russia

I am Mohammed Ali Mohammed Ali Basim Ali from Iraq. I have been here for six months and I am here to study Economics because I just like it. I heard about "MAFIA" when I was coming here (laughs). I decided to come to Russia.  Everything is good, the people are friendly and I like them. 

I just like experiencing other cultures. I am still thinking about whether or not to stay in Russia after studies. I won't advice anybody to come and study here but if it is just for a vacation fine.

I rate life in Russia 6.

Eugenia Ankrah
Medical Student from Ghana

I am Eugenia Ankrah, Ghanaian. I have been here for two years and it has been a bit challenging. The weather, the language, the food and so on, it was not what I expected. Its just so cold and the food here is just "one way" unlike home where there are varieties. I can't really lay my hand on what i don't like about Russia. I went for a christian camp once and the Russians met there were really nice people. Well I don't know whether it was because they were all christians but they were very nice. All my teachers are fine and so far all the people I have come into contact with are all fine. I wish I could change the weather (laughs very hard) but its not possible. I also wish we had an African market here in Volgograd where we could get food. For the people, I think we can't change people so just leave them to be how they want to be. I want food....IT's sad.

I haven't been in need the Ghanaian embassy here so far. I give living in Russia a 6. I feel Russia is boring and I won't advise anybody to come here. (Laughs again)

Obi Elijah Obiechine
Nigerian Student in Russia.

My name is Obi Elijah Obiechine from Nigeria and I have been in Russia for one year six months. Life in Russia is basically different from Africa; the weather, the food but its been good. I have not been emotionally involved with a Russian because I think their way of thinking is very different and it requires lot of study, lots of work to understand each other and it will be stressful. Well I like black skin so I will just stick to my black skin girls. I haven't really experienced any form of racism. I think if you understand the concept of being in another person's country, then you shouldn't really bother about certain things ;there are things you can and can not do. I don't find insults as racism. I think some of them are just scared of that which they don't know thus seeing someone black. Some of them haven't seen black people before and they also have misconceptions about Africans. As for the ones who do what they do all i can say is God should help them (laughs). I don't regret coming to Russia at all because I braced myself before coming. I think they should restructure the accommodation system here. The fees are cheap as compared to other countries and i just love their education system. Well, I am praying i will never need the Nigerian embassy and i am praying i never need the whole Nigerian government. I am Nigerian and i will never want to change my nationality but the country is making things difficult for students studying here abroad. In terms of forex, in terms of investments and everything. I just hope this message gets as far as it can to make the government do something about how tough they've made living here hell for us Nigerians. There are even students on government scholarship here who haven't received their stipends for months now, how are they going to survive. Well thank God I am a private student. 

       People are claiming finding a job here in Russia is very tough but the question is, have they tried to search for a job and they never found? And how was their attitude towards work when they got given the jobs. Some students were granted the opportunity to work and they messed up big time.  I work two jobs so what is the no jobs people are talking about coming from? I will give life in Russia 6.

Jamal Khaled Bagaar
Saudi Arabia Studying Business Law

I am Jamal from Saudi Arabia. I have been in Russia close to three months and I am here to study Business Law. I chose Russia because its affordable and people are friendly. I love the the fact that I am learning a new language because to become a very successful businessman, I have to learn different languages. I decided to come to Russia. In the beginning, it was difficult but as time goes on, things are turning out well. I don't regret coming to Russia. I wouldn't want to work and live in Russia because I would have to pay taxes and other things so I would rather work in my country where I won't pay taxes. Also there's much more money in my country. I would want my friends to come to Russia. I have even told some of them already. I will rate life in Russia 8.


WELL, so you read it for yourselves. This is how your friends and family are fairing here in Russia. About Nigeria's situation we are still working on getting someone to talk to our team. Once we find that person we will bring you an exclusive interview.
Thank you for reading the weekly news on Lydia's World. Please don't forget to leave a comment and share.
Edited by; Dr. Aba Antwi-Wilson

TOP TEN REASONS TO STUDY IN RUSSIA

TOP TEN REASONS TO STUDY IN RUSSIA

LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY (108th Best School in the World and Best School in Russia)

The percentage of foreign students studying in Russia keeps rising each and every year. Despite so many misconceptions about Russia, some students go ahead to take the risk to travel all the way to Russia for tertiary education. Some interviews conducted by our representatives will be published in the next week edition of Lydia's World's News. Below are top ten reasons to study in Russia and why it is not such a bad idea .

Russian Rubles (currency)

1. AFFORDABLE TUITION AND ACCOMMODATION

 Unlike countries like USA, Canada, and the UK, tuition and accommodation fees are very affordable in Russia. International students in the UK pay about five thousand pounds and above for tuition with less or no scholarships for undergraduate students. In the USA, it ranges from $10,000 to $80,000 (USD) and these are real figures you can check out on some schools' website. However in Russia, an international student studying in the Russian language medium may pay from $1,900 to $4,000 (USD) and a student studying any field of the Sciences including Medicine may pay from $3,500 to $8,000( might come in English medium of study).
       One major factor to consider  when looking for a university to study is location or state. Schools located in Moscow (the capital of Russia) and Saint Petersburg are pretty expensive with English medium of study costing from about $5,600 to $9,000 per year for tuition fees and from $2,400 to $3,600 for accommodation yearly. These figures are what an international students pay for a year of study in high city Russian universities.
On the other hand universities in Volgograd, Belgorod among other states are very affordable. Medical students pay exactly $5,600 annually for Medicine and other fields cost from about $1,990 to $4,000 per year for undergraduate and masters degrees. Accommodation in the hostels range from $300 to $500 per year. Students who prefer to live in an apartment would have to pay from $150 to $500 monthly(an approximate figure.

2.  LIFE IN RUSSIA IS RELATIVELY LOWER AS COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

                                                   In Russia, cities that one has to be bothered about living expenses are the capitals thus Moscow and Saint Petersburg. One doesn't need so much to afford a burger or even dine at a classic restaurant in any other state . With less than $10 or exactly, one can take a lady on a date and have a nice time out. Transport is faster and very accessible even if one is new in the country. Research conducted some years ago proved that Russian Metros are the best and very beautiful. In UK and USA, one has to wait for not less than thirty minutes when one misses a train however, Russia has a whole centrally connected transport system so students don't really have to worry about getting lost or finding their way from one place to the other. It is also very affordable. With less than $10, a student can travel for a whole month on all trains and some buses. Be sure to always keep discount cards. Don't also worry so much about sales. Sales happen frequently. Food is very cheap even in Moscow. A pound of meat can cost about $10 or less. NB: Russia has a limited number of fruits and vegetables according to the Chinese students living in Russia.

World War II in Stalingrad

3.   DEPTH OF HISTORY AND CULTURE

The Motherland Call (World's Third Highest Statue)

If you're that student who's interested in the history of countries and technology, then the best place to study is Russia. The Germans attacked the Russians on June 22, 1941 and destroyed the whole city of Stalingrad and other states, this war ended in September 2 1945; and this was the World War II spearheaded by almighty Adolf Hitler (R.I.P). Russia is full of history and the best part of studying in Russia is that the foreign student gets to visit most of the historical sites before going back home.

4.   LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE 

COMPLETE RUSSIAN ALPHABETS

This information is very important for any student who wants to finish school and work with an international agency or work abroad. Russia is one of the world's powerful countries and the Russian language is part of the six main official languages of the United Nations with Russian Language on number five. Therefore any student who would want to learn  or loves learning new languages should consider making Russia an option.

5.   MAKING NEW INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS

STUDENTS OF VOLGOGRAD STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

One advantage one could get in schooling abroad is making new friends and if the fear is about missing home, don't worry, Russia is inhabited by students from over 150 countries of which
Ghana and Nigeria hold the higher numbers.

6. RESPECT FOR FOREIGNERS                       Just a few people have complained of cases of        

racism and rude attitude from Russians. Russians on a normal day are very cool people and don't mind having a drink with a person from a different race or country. Very few instances have people complained about their lives in Russia. So don't be scared about being snubbed because of you being black or a foreigner.                                                                            

7. EASY ADMISSION PROCEDURES        
   Gaining admission to Russian is far more easier and probably the easiest process in the world. everything is stipulated and one can actually relax and allow an agent in Russia to help him or her out. Send an e-mail to nanaquacyantwi@gmail.com if interested in studying any of the hotcake courses here in Russia. The best part is that, unlike countries like Finland and Germany, one doesn't need to know the language before starting studies. There are faculties in every school for teaching international students the Russian language.

8. EXPERIENCE OF ALL FOUR SEASONS IN THE WORLD

Winters are very cold so come prepared,
Summers are very hot get ready to pull some clothes off,
There might not be so much difference between the fall or autumn and spring but be sure to see beautiful roses and tulips on the boulevards and along the walkways. These seasons make Russia fun and fashion worth going for.




9. DEGREE FROM TOP RENOWNED UNIVERSITIES 

Universities such as LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY, SAINT PETERSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, PEOPLE'S FRIENDSHIP UNIVERSITY, VOLGOGRAD STATE AND TECHNICAL, MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES are some of the schools in Russia. But one thing one must know about Eurasian schools is that, it doesn't matter how much is being paid, education is still at its best and smaller classes are still maintained because of possible foreign students who would need further explanation and understanding of what is being taught. Getting a degree from Russia means more money to be made back home definitely.

10. SMALLER CLASSES AND LESS STRESSFUL.              

There are so many advantages of studying in smaller groups and classes. Russian universities have students studying in smaller groups for lecturers to explain better and have a one-on-one relationship with all the students, get to know their strengths and weaknesses and to polish them for the society. Russian teachers are well mannered and very traditional. However blending and slowing down is very common amongst them. The educational system is also very less stressful on the student, giving the student enough time to do extra-curricular activities. Hours for studies are also not so long and have long and short breaks for relaxation of the mind.

All this information is for that one person who can't seem to be certain about the decision of schooling in Russia. These are the top ten reasons you need to make a decision now. No SATs , no IELTS or TOEFL, no Essays just an entrance exams and a valid passport.
call:+79996258860
or email:nanaquacyantwi@gmail.com to study in Russia.