The Federal State Budget
Educational Institution of Higher Education «Belgorod State Technological University
named after V.G. Shukhov»

Salekh Aya (Lebanon)
 
The Department of Foundation Studies in V.G. Shukhov BSTU is not just about studying some subjects. I will always remember it and left a special place in my heart for it. Looking back, I understand how lucky I was to study in this university. The department was like a family for me. Teachers care about students, help in a difficult situation. Out teacher told us about Russia, its traditions and culture. We went to many interesting museums, went ice skating, and watched Russian movies. The most memorable trip was to ice-cream factory. I took part in Russian language competition. It was an important experience for me.

That makes education in the Department of Foundation Studies an incredible journey and it is a good start for further education in Russia. If I had a chance to apply for Foundation Course again, I would definitely choose the Department of Foundation Studies in BSTU.

Almobarak Falak (Syria)

Back in Syria, I thought that it would be really hard to learn Russian language and I would never speak Russian.

When I came to Russia, I knew only one single phrase in Russian "I don’t speak Russian." I was very concerned about learning the language.

I studied at the Department of Foundation Studies of BSTU. I found Russian friends in two months.

The curriculum depends on your level of language and culture knowledge. We all together celebrated national holidays, and there were a lot of concerts and interesting events. It’s always homely and friendly atmosphere at the Department. I think it was really important and useful experience in my life.

Ranatu Vilasa De Freitash (Brazil)

I want to say that from the very first day of my studies at the Department of Foundation Studies everyone was friendly with me and other international student. I’m so grateful to the staff of The Department and for everything, they have been doing for international students.

During my foundation course, I had been studying not only Russian but also subjects from my future program. I want to say that teachers prepared us well for the first academic year in the program we had chosen. In one year I had learned so much about Russian culture, the way of life here and Rissian history. The Foundation course was really important for me. It was a great start to my interesting and breathtaking adventure so far away from home. I had not only admired Russia, its people but I fall in love with Russian culture. I really appreciate the work and help of everyone at the Department and I hope one day I will be of use to them also. 

Vara Abidi (Afghanistan)

I studied at the Department of Foundation Studies in 2012. I was surrounded by students from all over the world and we were like one big family. We had a great time together with our teachers, who were like parents for us. No doubt they taught us a lot and we appreciated their help, particularly in learning the Russian language. Thanks to the knowledge I got at the Department of Foundation Studies for international students, because of that I have been successfully studying Architecture at the Institute of Architecture and Construction of BSTU for 4 years already.

Chen Lifei (China)

I remember the time I first came to Russia and started learning the Russian language at the Department of Foundation Studies. I had the best teacher — Raisa Romanovna.

I had the difficult but interesting life at the Department. It was very difficult at first, I was afraid of everything especially of learning the Russian language. But in a while I started to speak Russian, everything fell into right place. I found many friends. I with my friends often went to the Pushkin museum-library where we read poems, sang songs and danced.

In three month I understood that I completely fell in love with Russia.

Frakhmand Toriali (Afghanistan)

I came to Russia in 2012 and was like a baby because I didn’t know Russian. Thanks to You, my dear teachers, I gained the knowledge and became a student of BSTU, which is one of the best university in Russia. I want to say thank you for everything you have done for me. I might never meet you again in my life, but your lessons and knowledge, you gave me, will be always with me. Everything I gained is precious. And I will do whatever it takes to make you hear about me and be proud of me so you can say "Yes, This is my student." My deepest gratitude to you, let your life be like a dream.

Eshteita Mateush (Angola)

Now I’m a fourth-year student at Ufa State Petroleum Technological University. Russia has become a second home for me. Many people ask me why I chose Russia. The answer is simple, Russia is the greatest country. It is the country of Dmitry Mendeleev, Alexander Pushkin, Yuri Gagarin and other famous minds.
Also, there are more than 2000 students from Angola, getting their degrees in Russia now. The partnership between our countries has a long history. Even the current president of Angola studied in Russia during Soviet Union times. This is also one of the reasons for my choice.

At first, It was really hard for me in Belgorod. I didn’t know a single word in Russian and I was terrified by Russian climate. But all at once I found friends who helped me in my difficult Russian language journey. It wasn’t easy but now Russian is like a mother tongue for me. I also love Belgorod. It is a beautiful city with a lot of opportunities. People in Belgorod are friendly, kind and welcome new cultures.

I live and study in Ufa now and really miss Belgorod. Besides my studies, I engaged in various events at the university, like Stand up shows, UNESCO meetings, SPE, and others. Last year I was a volunteer and representative of South Africa in BRICS and SCO meetings in UFA. Furthermore, a school of African Dances opened in February 2015. We teach students about our culture through dances at school. I’m grateful to Russia and V.G. Shukhov BSTU for opportunities it has given and opened for me.

Mukelabai Fatoumata (Zambia)
    
I came from Zambia in 2011 and went to the Department Of Foundation Studies in BSTU. I didn’t know I would be taught in Russian. I thought the English language is a language of instruction in all universities but I was surprised to find out that it is not true. I really enjoyed my time studying at the Foundation Course.

I think the Department of Foundation Studies is a very dynamic department. In addition to education, there are a lot of events, parties and guided tours organized at the department. I liked singing in the concerts. it offered me a chance to fulfill myself. I’m sure that everyone can realize his/her potential at the Department of Foundation Studies for International Students. I joined singing classes in "Aliyans", where we learned Russian songs, and that also contributed to my successes in the Russian language. I was very happy to be supported by a good teacher, who helped me to learn the Russian language.

Livena Akekelva Kapepa (Zambia)

I graduated from Institute of Economics and Management of V.G. Shukhov BSTU.

I had an interesting time at the Department of Foundation Studies. I appreciate our teachers' patience. We came, knowing nothing, but teachers were helping us and teaching us. Thank you for that. I enjoyed learning about Russian culture. The most amazing Russian holiday for me is Maslenitsa. I tried delicious Russian crepes during this holiday. I’m grateful to the Department of Foundation Studies for teaching us Russian language and culture.

Maina Emmanuel Stephan (Nigeria)

I came to Belgorod from Nigeria for the first time in 2011. It was winter, it snowed. I wasn’t used to such cold. But the Department of Foundation Studies surrounded me with such warm environment. Students from different countries like Nigeria, Afghanistan, China, studied with me. Tatiana Matushkina was our tutor, she taught us not only to feel that we belonged to one group but to treat each other as friends.

During my studies, I felt that the teachers and students of the Department were a big good family. Teachers gave us precious knowledge, however we all had great time with them beyond the classroom. The academic year at the foundation course was really intensive, we had guided tours around Belgorod Region, these trips helped us to learn about Russian culture. While we took part in poetry contest "Reading poems in Russian" we got acquainted with the marvelous world of Russian poetry. Various contests and competitions helped us to believe in ourselves, fulfill our potential. The student festival "Our home is planet Earth" gave students of every country opportunity to tell about themselves, and present their unique culture.

I’m very thankful to the Dean, Elena Legochkina, and all the teachers for their kindness and expertise. 

Oltiona Jemali (Albany)

I came to Russia 8 years ago. I studied at the Department of Foundation Studies like all international students. I must admit that the Russian language is the most difficult language I’ve ever learned, and I know English, Spanish and Italian. At first, everything seemed difficult, when one lives in another country without knowing the local language. But teachers of the Department of Foundation Studies made sure we didn’t get bored. They have considerable experience in work with international students, they try to understand everyone. Teachers were polite and helped everyone. Actually, it was not so hard as it seemed at first. I had a great time studying at foundation course. It was an excellent opportunity to open a whole new world, meet new people, either Russians or other international students and learn about different cultures. I liked Russian good nature and hospitality.

I want to give a piece of advice to every international student coming to Russian for studying, do not stay in your native community there, leave your zone of comfort and meet Russian people. Get in touch with the new culture, or you will trap yourself. It is easier to stay with people from your country, then make an effort and meet people of different nationality and nature. You must be brave to admit differences between different nations.