University: Riga Stradins University

City: Riga

Country: Latvia

Continent: Europe

Field of study: medicine

Study type: Other courses

Hello,
I’ve been a medical student at the “Riga Stradins University” in Latvia for six months now and consequently started my studies there in January 2011. After a short period of acclimatization, I quickly settled in and have been enjoying my stay in Latvia ever since. Check liuxers.com to see how to open a bank account in Germany.

Like probably many of you, I discovered the possibility of studying medicine in Riga on the Internet.
Thanks to MicroEdu’s mediation work, the application process ran smoothly and the forms were quickly filled out and sent to Riga.
MicroEdu was a great help with this task, because they checked all application documents for errors before the documents were finally sent to the university, which the organization also took care of. On the one hand, I could be sure that I had not forgotten any documents and, on the other hand, that the application arrived where it was supposed to.
If I had any questions, I could also turn to MicroEdu, because they were happy to answer any question.
After the confirmation came from Riga, I immediately started to organize everything that was necessary.
I discovered that Riga can be easily reached by plane from many cities in Germany. Among others, the airline “Ryanair” flies to Riga almost daily from many locations.
It’s always worth checking out what’s on offer.

Fascinated by photos from the Internet, I decided to stay in the university’s dormitories. But this turned out to be a big letdown. The photos on the Internet are very deceptive, because by far only part of the building has been restored and I was offered a room that was dirty and in need of renovation, in short uninhabitable. In addition, this room was offered at an outrageously high price, which also differed from that stated on the internet. I left the dormitory on the same day and, with a lot of luck, was accommodated in the “Green Apple”.
This alternative is in the city center and therefore much more central and close to bars, pubs and shops. For the beginning, this accommodation offers a good starting point to make contact with fellow students and you don’t feel so lonely anymore. Because most students book a room in the “Green Apple” for the beginning. I can recommend this accommodation for the beginning, even if you can only prepare the bare essentials in the shared kitchen, as it is used by many students at the same time.
I now live in a shared flat. The housing market in Riga offers a wide range of furnished apartments.

The university is a bit away from the city center on the other side of the river. Nevertheless, this is not a problem. The bus and tram connections are well developed and public transport runs reliably and at regular intervals, even in snow and ice. In addition, you have to commute between different buildings during everyday university life, because not all courses take place in the main building. For example, the subject of anatomy, which is particularly important to the university, is taught in a building near the center.
The timetable is given to the students by the university and attendance in most courses is meticulously checked by the professors. At first I had to get used to the professors’ English, but you can always grasp the content that you want to be taught. Everyday student life is tightly organized with many tests and intermediate examinations. In order to be admitted to the exams at the end of the semester, each of these intermediate exams must be passed! This requires constant learning, but don’t worry, you still have enough time to enjoy your student life.
The city offers a range of clubs, bars and some discos. In summer, roof terraces, beer gardens and terraces in the old town are opened. Here you can enjoy the sun and have a good time, and there is no shortage of cafes and restaurants in Riga.

It can get really hot in summer, when the city and locals thrive after a long winter and life takes place outdoors. Riga now presents itself from its most beautiful side, with many green parks and colorful flowers.

Winter also has its charms. There is a lot of snow and it never seems to want to melt. On the many sunny winter days, you can soak up a few rays of sunshine and defy the icy temperatures. Nevertheless: packing thick is a must!
If you need a little rest from city life, the sea is not far away and can be reached in 30 minutes by train. The beach is worth a visit both in summer and in winter.

After completing the first semester, I can say that I have not regretted my decision to go to Riga. Of course, it took me some time to get used to the unfamiliar culture. But it was all the same for us newcomers and so we quickly joined forces and helped each other.

I can only recommend a stay abroad in Latvia!
Good luck with your application!