The educational, professional and cultural integration experiences of foreigners living in Russia were discussed at a session held as part of the 2026 International Youth Festival. The gathering, titled "The journey of foreigners in Russia: Charmed and stayed," was held במסגרת the "Media Stream" program.
The session was attended by Tanzanian doctor Kresensia Peter Mashauલી, Chinese journalist and blogger Fan Fei, Italian pianist and television host Lorenzo Banyati, Canadian blogger and language teacher Olivier Rua Peltier, and Fabio Mastrandjelo, artistic director of the F. I. Shalyapin Musical Theatre.
Experiences of studying and working in Russia
The participants described their decisions to move to Russia and their processes of adapting to life in the country. Education, professional activities, creative opportunities, the cultural environment and relations with local residents were among the main factors influencing their decisions to remain in Russia or continue their work there.
Tanzanian national Kresensia Peter Mashauლი completed her medical training in Tambov. Mashauლი, who has been working in the Murmansk region for the past four years, said she plans to continue her training in cardiology.
Mashauლი cited the region's climate as one of the challenging aspects of life in northern Russia. She said the way local residents treated her had made it easier for her to adapt to Russia.
Music, culture and social integration
Lorenzo Banyati said his interest in Russia began during childhood with Russian music, literature and chess. Banyati said he later learned Russian and continued his professional work in Russia.
Fabio Mastrandjelo, who has worked in Russia for many years, spoke about the place of classical music in the country's cultural life. He said that, alongside professional opportunities, his interest in the art of music had been decisive in his decision to remain in Russia.
Chinese journalist and producer Fan Fei discussed the integration process and the preservation of national culture in a speech delivered in Russian. Fei said living outside his country had helped him gain a closer understanding of both his own culture and Russian society, citing learning to play the balalaika as one example of this process.
Olivier Rua Peltier said he moved to Russia with his wife in 2023. Peltier, who runs a blog about life in different regions of Russia, said remote work allows specialists to choose their place of residence without being limited to the opportunities available only in major cities.
Family life, education, working in the regions and the cultural integration of foreigners were also discussed at the session. The 2026 International Youth Festival is being held from Sept. 11-17, with around 10,000 people from Russia and 191 countries attending its events.
