I spent a semester at the State University in Petrozavodsk in
Karelia. I can't say that there were huge differences, especially in
terms of classes. Coming from the UK, the biggest shock was the lack
of a Students' Union. There was very little in the way of student
support, and nothing similar to the student cafes, bars and pubs I'd
had back home. Student clubs, societies and sports teams were also
thin on the ground. The vast majority of students were from the local
area and living at home with their parents, so it made some sense-
but I missed the feeling of community. There were also very, very few
international students compared to British universities.