By: Patson N. Musenge Jnr
From Ndeke to Russia: An Agronomist’s Guide to Surviving Moscow
“I never really wished or thought of studying locally. Then Russia opened its doors.”
Maxwell Akayombokwa grew up in Kitwe’s Ndeke area. Russia was never the plan. But when the opportunity materialized, he grabbed it without second-guessing.
Today, he is a second-year agronomy student in Moscow and the newly elected Vice President of the Association of Zambian Students. It is a remarkable trajectory for someone who, upon arrival, literally could not feel his face.
Landing at Domodedovo Airport, Maxwell expected a baseline of the familiar: English signs or bilingual announcements. Instead, he was met entirely by Russian.
“Total shock,” he admits. “It reset my brain.”
Stepping outside offered an even harsher initiation. At 10°C, the sheer bite of the breeze was overwhelming. When he asked the person picking him up if this was as cold as the country got, the response was a simple shake of the head: “This is just preparation.”
While the excitement of exploring a global capital hasn’t faded, the climate remains a permanent adversary. Yet, Maxwell conquered the language barrier, immersed himself in the culture, and stopped shivering long enough to build a life.
Back home in Zambia, agriculture wasn’t merely a subject; it was the family business. Watching it treated with deep seriousness left a permanent mark. In Russia, that foundational interest has expanded exponentially. Maxwell has already attended two major international agricultural conferences, massive events pulling in African, Asian, and Chinese markets.
“You get hands-on experience with the latest technologies,” Maxwell explains. “You build connections. You see what’s possible.”
When he discusses Zambia’s 2026 agricultural targets, he speaks not as a spectator, but as an active planner. His long game looks far beyond entering the job market; he aims to become an employer who can actively attract international investors back home to feed Zambia’s future.
This drive to build naturally bled into his community life. Now serving as the Vice President of the Zambian Students’ Association in Moscow, Maxwell approaches the role with immense gravity, beginning with a quiet gratitude to those who trusted him with their vote.
When his term concludes, he wants his legacy defined by tangible results rather than speeches. His focus is entirely on strengthening unity, solving immediate student problems, and restoring confidence in an institution where some members had lost faith.
Leadership abroad, however, requires navigating sharp cultural adjustments. The first major shift was the local social climate. Compared to the reflexive warmth and hospitality of Zambia, the realization that people in Moscow firmly mind their own business was a stark transition. Learning to adjust to a culture where a smile isn’t always returned takes time.
The second transition was the food. While Maxwell highly praises Russian cuisine, the absence of home comforts lingers. The absolute lack of katapa, kalembula, or chibwabwa in Moscow markets is the literal price of the adventure.
Yet, Moscow offers a unique trade-off: a profound sense of personal safety. Walking outside at 10:00 PM without a shred of fear is a luxury that has become entirely normal. The constant question marks of home: navigating checkpoints or explaining your presence, are entirely absent. It is a level of security he has fully embraced.
To any young Zambian presented with a strange, unexpected path, Maxwell’s advice is clear: “Embrace it. Do your best. Don’t overthink. But prepare yourself: mentally, physically and emotionally, because moving abroad tests everything. You’ll get pushed left, right, and center. But know your aim.”
Five years from now, Maxwell sees his path leading either toward a Master’s degree or back to Zambia to run his own agribusiness. Whichever road he takes, leadership remains the constant.
“Leadership is sacrifice,” he reflects. “You give yourself as a servant. You listen to every voice. You analyze carefully because your decisions affect everyone. So be ready to serve. That’s it. Service and sacrifice.”
He arrived in Moscow cold and uncertain. Now, he is cultivating the skills to reshape Zambian agriculture while actively shielding his student community. From Ndeke to Moscow, it is a harvest well worth the winter.
[Picture: Maxwell Akayombokwa]
Kuchalo celebrates Zambians making their mark abroad. Know someone with a story? Reach out. 🇿🇲