Facilitator, Mentor, Assistant or Friend: Tutors of International Polytechnic Summer School Reveal St. Petersburg for International Students
The International Polytechnic Summer School attracts students from all over the world. These students are eager to receive high quality and competitive knowledge, to gain ground in the profession. The Summer School curriculum includes a variety of projects, one of which is the institution of tutorship development.
But who are tutors? As a rule, every international student has his/her own facilitator who can solve any problem. Tutor is an assistant, consultant or just a friend, who will always give advice, help get out of trouble. Our tutors are Polytechnic students who look after international students within their staying in our city.
Mentors also benefit from the Summer School, because they can enroll in educational modules too. Tutorship gives Polytechnic students valuable experience of communication with international students and provides a unique opportunity to improve interaction in foreign languages. In addition, it is friendship without limits. Students and tutors study together, explore St. Petersburg and its environs together, meet new people and have a good time. None of the Polytechnic students was forced to work in the Summer School. They did it on a voluntary basis! For example, a student of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade (IIMET), SPbPU, Aishat MAGAMADOVA has always dreamed of being part of an international team. This is not unusual, because Aishat’s future profession is connected with international relations and tourism. “I have been learning English for one year, and communication in a foreign language was difficult for me at first. But I am grateful to the leaders of the Summer School for the great practice of English and the opportunity to improve my knowledge. Most of all, I enjoyed the picnic where we could discuss different problems in an informal style – it helps understand each other! I would advise everybody to try themselves as tutors”, - said Aishat.
This year Summer School modules attracted a lot of Chinese students. Our tutors succeeded in building a rapport with them. For example, a student of the Institute of Humanities (IH), SPbPU, Kristina KURTYAMOVA knows the Chinese language very well, that is why her help as a tutor was invaluable. A student of the Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE) Alexander BOBTSOV also paid a lot of attention to the communication with Chinese enrollees, however they talked in English: “For me being a tutor means new knowledge, great impressions and excellent practice of English. Many thanks to everybody who was with me!” – he explained. In the near future Alexander is planning to visit China, where he is likely to meet his new Chinese friends from the Summer Polytechnic School.
Another example: Sofia SERGEEVA – a student of the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport (IMMET), SPbPU, and one of the most active tutors – states that work in the Summer School enabled her to reveal new talents and abilities, to see herself in a different way. “I’ve learnt to be more creative, resourceful and quick-witted. Communicating regularly with foreign peers, I started thinking in English – this is my personal achievement! Of course, leaders of the Summer School helped us. I am really grateful to them for this experience and constant support”, - Sofia shared her impressions.
Besides, leaders – organizers of the School expressed their gratitude to the Polytechnic students who had decided to participate in the International Polytechnic Summer School as tutors and invited everybody to join a friendly international team.
You can find the program of the International Polytechnic Summer School and terms of participation on the SPbPU Website.
International Relations Office jointly with Center of International Marketing Research and International Educational Projects Office