Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Eight-month-old Alla can't yet walk or talk, but she's already reaching for her first-ever key—the one to her new family room at RUDN University. Her parents, RUDN University graduate students Semyon and Alena Zolotukhin, watch this gesture with bated breath. For them, this key symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
There are currently 42 student families living on campus, but some of them live separately in different dorms. A year ago, a decision was made to dedicate an entire dorm floor to family rooms. A major renovation began, resulting in 19 family rooms.
Each room features a modern design, large windows, storage, a private bathroom, a refrigerator, and a washing machine. For couples with children, two types of beds are available: a convertible bed with a pendulum for newborns and a full-size bed for teenagers, as well as a chest of drawers with a changing table.
And here is that very solemn moment – moving in and receiving the keys.
The first families to move into the new dormitory were given the opportunity to choose keys with a room number.
Little Alla chose from 5 keys exactly the one for the room that was originally prepared for this married couple.
"That's intuition," said RUDN University Vice Rector for Strategic Communications Elena Apasova. "And what are your expectations?" she asked the couples. "We think the room should be light," "maybe high-tech," "there's definitely some white in it."
"What's most important to you in a family room?" Opinions were divided. The Rakhimov family from Uzbekistan immediately answered, "coziness." A family from Tajikistan added, "comfort." A family from Russia, looking at their daughter Alla, confidently answered, "safety and a bed." But everyone agreed on one thing—the most important thing is a private washing machine.
Love in the Department: Zolotukhin's Graduate Students
Alyona and Semyon are historians not only by profession but also by destiny. Their own love story began at university. Semyon decided to be with Alyona, and then he proposed. Soon, the young family made an important decision: having a child. When the ultrasound revealed they were having a girl, the question arose: what to name the baby? Both spouses, without discussing it, wanted to name their daughter after their grandmother. According to Semyon, it was fortunate that this decision was resolved without debate, as both of their grandmothers were named Alla!
"A lot has changed since Alla arrived," Alena shares. "There are also a lot of benefits, besides the fact that you've become a more disciplined person. Alla is very generous with her emotions. If you play with her, invest something positive in her, she'll give it back to you. And in double proportions."
Juggling a child, studying, and work isn't easy, but Alena and Semyon manage to find a balance.
Semyon and I took turns going to classes, if it was necessary at all, because a lot is given to a student’s conscience… We worked before Alla was born at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, we both taught seminars… Now my husband continues to work at the faculty, and I am on maternity leave.
The couple never finds themselves in situations where they have no one to leave their baby with, and if that happens, Alena says the proximity of the campus and academic buildings makes things easier.
Experience and Gratitude: A Family of Doctors from Uzbekistan
Following their new roommates, the Rakhimovs, residents from Uzbekistan, moved into the room. As soon as they stepped through the door, they admired the room's design and private bathroom.
Khodikhon and Fariza met while studying for a specialist degree in their home country; the couple were in the same class. From their second year onward, they began to see each other more often, and they admit that's when they fell in love. They married in May of this year and decided to continue their studies at RUDN University: "They take into account all preferences: religious and international." The couple notes that they receive an excellent stipend, which covers dorm fees.
The main difficulty for Khodikhon and Fariza was living separately: “The three months were very difficult for us, because I lived on the second floor, and she on the fifth… There were times when we ate from containers right in the stairwell so as not to disturb anyone, but now all the difficulties are behind us… and finally, they gave us a family dormitory, and we are very happy about it!”
The couple's favorite features were the spacious bed and washing machine. They note that the new room looks even better than they expected: "Our expectations and reality matched each other better than expected. Everything is fantastic, especially when these conditions are designed for couples."
Love Without Borders: An International Couple
Lazizkhon from Uzbekistan and his Egyptian girlfriend, Sohaila, admit they're thrilled with their new room: "It's like a studio apartment, and better than a studio!" Sohaila enthuses. "I've seen studios for 40,000–50,000 rubles a month, and those are really small."
Students note that the cost of living in the dormitory is 22,000 rubles per month, which includes accommodation, utilities, internet, and access to all dormitory infrastructure.
Sohayla is a future doctor, a fifth-year medical student, and Lazizkhon is studying to be a history major. They met at work. Lazizkhon helped Sohayla learn Russian; before him, she only knew two words: "hello" and "goodbye."
How does the university help families?
The creation of a family unit is just one part of RUDN's comprehensive student support program. Young families have access to all the necessary amenities: from a children's playroom and a modern kitchen with three stoves to a fully equipped drying and ironing area and a coworking space where one parent can study while the other looks after the child.
Financial support from the university includes:
A one-time payment of 20,000 rubles upon marriage. A one-time payment of 20,000 rubles upon the birth of a child. A quarterly payment of 12,000 rubles per child.
Additional services for comfortable living and studying:
A playroom for children aged 3 to 7 (up to 4 hours per day). Free psychological support office.
All these initiatives are elements of a well-thought-out system. Currently, RUDN University has 83 student families, for whom this support provides a real foundation for combining studies and family life.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.