When Maksim Likho, a first-year from Russia, couldn’t find a U.S. embassy that would let him apply for a visa, he had to get creative to begin his studies at the University of Richmond.

The embassies near home were closed at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But then he discovered that Poland accepted non-residents for visa interviews.

He immediately reached out to a friend he met during one of UR’s virtual welcome events for admitted students in early 2021. Likho asked Patryk Czescik, a first-year who lives in Warsaw, if he could stay with him for a few weeks while applying for a visa. 

“It was a sunny summer day when I got a message from Maksim,” Czescik said. “I had no idea what my parents would say to that: A student from Russia we’ve never met wanted to stay in our home for some time. It seemed like a crazy idea even to me, but to my surprise, they said yes right away.”

Likho got his visa approved, learned some Polish, tried new foods, and said he had fun learning about a new culture.

“When I first understood that I could not receive a visa in my country, I expected a trip to another state would be stressful with all the COVID and document-related things,” Likho said. “However, it was one of the highlights of my 2021. I am extremely thankful to Patryk and his family and friends for welcoming me to Poland and showing me Polish hospitality. His family demonstrated clearly what it means to be Spiders.”

The two are now students on campus, both studying economics, and are thrilled to be able to see each other in person again.

“It is obstacles that make life interesting and full of adrenaline,” Likho said. “I would not have had such a great summer had I not faced challenges. But the most important reason was a dream that came true — coming to Richmond. Having this in my mind made me feel like the obstacles were just a final countdown until the start of the new adventure.”