Moving to another country is always challenging. A new language, an unusual education system, a different climate, strangers and the need to build everyday life fr om scratch. For international students, their study begins long before the first lecture. First, you need to get used to the new country, and only then – to the university itself. Therefore, today Tomsk State University pays attention not only to attracting international students, but also to creating conditions that help them adapt faster and become part of the university community.
Why international students choose TSU
Today, about 3,500 international students from more than 60 countries study at Tomsk State University, of which about 1,000 are from non-CIS states and about 2,500 from CIS-countries. The most numerous groups come from Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Over the past five years, the number of international students at TSU has grown steadily, and the geography of the countries from which students come has expanded. Students from 12 new countries of Africa came study at TSU – Tunisia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Morocco, Comoros, Bolivia Angola, Asia – Myanmar, Jordan, Europe – Spain, and Latin America – Venezuela. Despite changes in the global political and economic situation, restrictions on international cooperation and high competition between universities, TSU continues to attract applicants from different countries.
– International students highly appreciate modern educational programs, a strong scientific base, the opportunity to do research and a high level of involvement of faculty who are always ready to support and help, – says Nadezhda Panibratova, head of the International Student Services Center of TSU International Division.
Tomsk itself plays an equally important role. Students call it a safe and comfortable city with eventful student life, rich history, museums, parks and a developed university environment. Many admit that over time, dorms and the university campus become a second home for them.
At the same time, more and more often, the recommendations of friends and graduates of TSU become a decisive factor in choosing a university. The personal experience of those who have already received education here is often more convincing than any advertising campaign.
First step support
Students face the biggest difficulties during the first months of their stay. They need to fill in all the necessary documents, understand the peculiarities of Russian legislation, get used to the climate, to the new educational system and overcome the language barrier.
Therefore, at TSU, adaptation begins even before students arrive in Russia. Future freshmen are advised on admission issues, met after arriving in Tomsk, get help with documents, check into a dormitory. Then there are orientation meetings, tours of the campus and the city, acquaintance with the rules of education and the peculiarities of life in Russia.
TSU has the offices of the International Student Services Center in the Parus and Mayak dormitories. Its staff is always ready to solve everyday issues. Here you can get help on almost anything, from paperwork to psychological support.
– There is a manager at each faculty who accompanies international students during their studies, helps with documents, reminds of important deadlines and remains a person whom they can always ask for advice, – notes Nadezhda Panibratova.
TSU students also play an important role. Volunteers of TSU-Online help new students get used to the university, introduce them to the city, help with documents, while national communities and student diasporas help to maintain a link with their native culture and quickly feel more confident in the new environment.
Language is no longer a barrier
One of the most common challenges is the Russian language. However, as noted by university experts, not only classes help to master it.
TSU has the Center for Pre-University Training for those who are just starting to learn Russian. During the year, future students study the language, get acquainted with Russian culture and the education system, and also learn to use Russian in everyday life and educational situations.
Besides, the university regularly hosts Russian speaking clubs, campus courses, excursions, meetings and other events wh ere international students can communicate with Russian students in an informal setting. It is live communication that makes it possible to quickly overcome the fear of speaking Russian and feel more confident.
When adaptation becomes part of student life
The university believes that the fastest adaptation happens when a person becomes not an observer, but a participant.
International students regularly take part in cultural, educational, sports and volunteer projects. Fr om the very first days, they are included in orientation events: they get acquainted with the campus and the city, attend excursions in Tomsk and the Tomsk region, meet with other students and gradually get immersed in a new environment.
Throughout the academic year, the university conducts various events aimed at creating a space for communication and joint interaction between Russian and international students. Participants get acquainted with different cultural traditions, celebrate Maslenitsa, Easter and Chinese New Year, organize national evenings, take part in intercultural festivals, creative workshops, speaking clubs, city events and volunteer projects. Among such initiatives are the participation of students in the procession of the “Immortal Regiment”, attending lectures on Russian history and culture dedicated to Patriarch Tikhon and St. Macarius, with an excursion to Tomsk Theological Seminary, as well as various culture festivals.
Joint sports projects also play an important role in adaptation. They help students find a common language faster and form a team spirit. Participation in competitions for international and Russian students is not only an opportunity to develop their sports skills, but also become part of the university community.
One of the largest sports events is the International Football League, which is taking place for the second year in a row. This year, the tournament included 13 teams formed on a national basis. The winner was the team representing Africa.
The volunteers program is also developing. This summer, TSU international students, together with university staff, visited the Ogonyok social assistance center, wh ere they introduced children to the cultures of different countries. Such projects help students become more involved in the life of the university and the city, as well as develop intercultural communication skills.
– We try to make sure that international students do not get bored and are actively involved in university life. On average, we hold one or two events a month, and over the past academic year, we organized 21 sociocultural events of different formats. In the future, we plan only to increase the number of such projects, – said Nadezhda Panibratova.
More than education
The growth in the number of international students confirms that young people fr om different countries are still highly interested in Tomsk State University. However, to maintain this attractiveness, apart from high-quality educational programs, it is important to create an environment wh ere students feels supported at all stages of their learning.
Today, TSU is developing a system for international students support: from first consultations and assistance with adaptation to involvement in the university and cultural life of the campus. This approach allows solving not only organizational and everyday issues, but also creates a feeling of belonging to the university community.
Therefore, the adaptation of international students is becoming an important part of the TSU educational environment. The university strives to ensure that for young people from different countries it is not just a place of education, but a space for development, communication and new opportunities – a real second home.
TSU plans to strengthen international cooperation by expanding partnerships with foreign universities and organizations, developing academic mobility of students and teachers, as well as implementing joint research and educational projects. Particular attention will be paid to areas related to the technological leadership of the university, which will strengthen the position of TSU at the international level and create new opportunities for participants in the educational process.
Learn more about international students support at TSU in the International Student Services Center:
- Address: Lenin Avenue, 36 (TSU main building), room 327
- Email: studentcenter@mail.tsu.ru
- VK: https://vk.ru/tsu_online
Text by Irina Vykhodtseva, TSU Faculty of Journalism
Photo by TSU press service