Egyptian Dentist and Barnaul Teacher Share Their Love Story
The couple met at university
Polina, 26, and Mohamed Farag, 25, have been together for four years. Their love story began at a university festival where international students shared their countries« cultures and traditions, and it continued with a wedding and the birth of their son, Aslan. He is now one year old.
Mohamed came to Barnaul to study dentistry
Read about life in an international family, the language barrier, and the blending of cultures in this NGS22.RU article.
Mohamed began courting Polina almost immediately after they met
‘He Read Dostoevsky and Tolstoy in Translation’
The young man proposed to the protagonist on her birthday
Mohamed came to Barnaul from Egypt to become a dentist. Polina is from the village of Kurya (Altai Krai, Russia), graduated from Altai State Pedagogical University, and works as a teacher.
The couple have now been married for three years
The couple met at the university four years ago, when it hosted a celebration for International Mother Language Day and invited international students from other universities. At the event, they spoke about their countries« culture, traditions, music, and national dishes.
A year ago, the newlyweds had their first child
As Polina recalls, the Egyptian students talked about the pyramids, Cleopatra, Arabic calligraphy, music, and food.
Polina met her husband«s parents in person in 2024
“They told it in such an interesting and inspiring way that it was impossible to tear yourself away. That«s where our connection began,” the protagonist says.
The couple raise their son with respect for the cultures of both countries
According to Polina, when she first met Mohamed, she was struck by how well he spoke Russian.
The young family does not plan to leave Russia
“He said he had read Dostoevsky and Tolstoy in translation. Just wow!” she laughs.
To Polina, Mohamed seemed open, kind, self-confident, and with a wonderful sense of humor. The latter struck a chord with her most of all.
“After our first meeting, I had the feeling that this was a very sincere person whom you could trust,” the Barnaul resident admitted.
The couple kept talking, and their relationship developed easily and naturally.
“We could talk both day and night. It felt like we had known each other for a very long time. We discussed everything: music, religion, books, outlooks on life,” she added.
When they met, Polina was already working at a gymnasium (a specialized secondary school). Mohamed would come to see her after classes, and together they prepared materials for the children: he cut, glued, and traced, while she put together the lesson plan.
A Proposal on Her Birthday
The Egyptian began courting Polina almost immediately after they met.
“He was very determined in his intentions to win my heart. He invited me for walks in various places in our city and was always attentive, caring, and respectful. Next to him I felt calm and confident,” she emphasizes.
Polina admits that Mohamed won her over with his ability to take responsibility for another person and to come to the rescue at any moment.
“I was also especially amazed at how a person from another culture understood our humor so subtly and could joke himself,” she noted.
In the end, the couple dated for a year, and then Mohamed proposed to Polina.
“He chose my 23rd birthday for it. He prepared 23 gifts for me. Before each gift there was a riddle, and I had to guess what was inside. I opened them one by one. The last two gifts were a huge bouquet of flowers and a ring with the question: ‘Will you marry me?’ It was a very touching and unforgettable moment,” the Barnaul resident shared.
The wedding was modest, in the circle of their closest friends and relatives. However, it did not go without national dances and Russian songs.
“For us, the main thing was not the number of guests, but that the day passed in a warm atmosphere. My loved ones actively joined in with the Middle Eastern touches,” she said.
Polina«s parents accepted their daughter»s choice, although, as she recalls, there were some worries. Her grandmother was especially anxious.
“She believed stereotypes about Arabs. My grandmother scared me: ‘You«ll be the fourth wife, he»ll make you convert to Islam, he«ll forbid you to work.’ But when she got to know him better, the fears went away,” Polina noted.
Mohamed«s parents also welcomed their daughter-in-law warmly. Polina felt like part of the family.
First Trip to Egypt
She met her husband«s parents in 2024, when the couple flew to Egypt together for the first time. Mohamed has a large family — two brothers and two sisters.
“I was very worried and nervous before the meeting. But everything went surprisingly warmly and cozily. Everyone asked what I wanted to eat and where I wanted to go. They tried to treat me to national dishes,” Polina says.
Not everything on the menu suited her taste, she says, but she was already familiar with some dishes — Mohamed had cooked them at home.
“I felt like part of the family. My husband«s relatives even learned a few Russian words, and I added some Arabic words and expressions to my vocabulary,” she added.
‘We Listen to the Quran and Bake Easter Cakes’
Polina and Mohamed have been married for three years now. During this time, according to her, they have not faced serious difficulties related to differences in mentality or adjusting to each other.
“Everything has come through respect, love, patience, and a sincere desire to understand each other. We talk a lot and discuss certain things to reach a common ground,” Polina emphasizes.
A year ago, the couple became parents — their son, Aslan, was born into their international family. The pair are raising him in the Islamic faith but strive for him to know and respect the cultures of both countries.
“At home we speak Russian, but Mohamed communicates with our son in Arabic. Our son sees how his father performs namaz (Islamic prayer), we decorate the house for the month of Ramadan, and listen to the Quran. We also bake Easter cakes, dye eggs for Easter, and put up a New Year tree. We read fairy tales and watch cartoons from both countries,” she notes.
In their free time, the young family likes to go for walks, meet friends, and watch movies — something especially valuable with a small child.
According to Polina, those around them react to their international couple mostly positively. They notice them, pay compliments, and show interest.
In the future, the family plans to live in Russia — they have work, friends, and a familiar environment here. They plan to visit Egypt when possible. The next visit is already on the horizon: relatives are waiting to meet their grandson.
