Polytechnic University welcomes international students
Starting in September, Polytechnic University launched a variety of activities to help international students adapt to the university and make new friends. TutorForces team, residents of PolyUnion and international section of the Adapters public institute are helping with this. With the support of the university’s international office, they implement a range of activities, among which there is a place for both entertainment and socially useful tasks.
In September, 37 buddies started working at Polytechnic University — 12 more than last year. Buddies are participants in a special program run by Adapters PI. Buddies help international students get accustomed to their new country, especially those who do not speak Russian, meet them at the airport, help with paperwork at the clinic or bank, show the stores nearest to their dormitory, give a tour of the university campus or the city sights — these and many other things are done by buddies to help and support international students.
You could say that the adaptation support for each international student is designed individually. Each international student and the Buddy themselves decide what is a priority for them and what tasks are important to solve in the first place
, shared Ekaterina Potochkina, head of the international department of Adapters PI. Last year, about 100 international students applied to the buddies. This year we expect much more of them — already now activists have met students from Uzbekistan, Botswana and India.
The TutorForces team held an introductory meeting for international students who had already arrived at Polytechnic University. The organizers gave detailed information about education, residence, registration and migration rules, presented the history of the university and conducted a quiz on Russian culture. There are many new activities ahead: «Day with a tutor», master classes on making borsch and vareniki, excursions to St. Petersburg attractions and board game nights.
The meeting was beautifully organized; I was happy to meet the other international students and the tutors. We talked, sang, and danced — it was the best experience since coming to town. I thank the TutorForces team for organizing such a necessary event and wonderful atmosphere, and I am looking forward to the next meetings!
shared Park Kougmin, a student from South Korea.
The PolyUnion International Student Club also prepares a variety of events. Among them are traditional conversation clubs, board game nights and art-meetings where students create paintings or do other kinds of art. And on Sept. 21, PolyUnion will host the official opening of the interclub season with performances by residents and international students.
I think Polytechnic University is one of the best universities in Russia, it has high rankings. Here I met both a lot of experts and new friends from different countries, thanks to which I learned a lot about cultures and peoples from all over the world
, said Abdalla Mostafa, a student from Egypt.
To learn more about the international student communities of Polytechnic University, please visit their official pages in the social network VKontakte:
international student club PolyUnion
international section of the Adapters PI
Prepared by the SPbPU International Office