Testimonials

The integration of cultural and academic activities were very fitting for the "Open your mind to Russia" course. The elements of Russian language, history, and business culture come alive in the contexts that St. Petersburg and it surroundings provide. My views of Russia and its values have changed as much as could be expected from a three-week program, due to the flexibility of the programme both in and outside the classroom. Exceeding the formalities of the programme, the uniquely internation composition of the student population, spanning east and west, offers a remarkable environment reflecting the international position of Russia.

My teacher told us about the Summer School of Russian Studies at SPbPU describing it as an outstanding experience. Frankly, I decided to take part in it out of curiosity. And then I really liked it! Russian language classes were very important for me to improve my speaking skills, also they helped me feel your language better. Apart from the Russian language course I have taken an elective Russian Business Culture course which I truly enjoyed too! I think, the module is very well organized, we had many lessons and field trips, we learnt a lot, but we also had the time to walk around the city, explore it and see lots of beautiful spots. Architecture of St. Petersburg is so inspiring! I would like to work with Russian language, probably to connect my future career with some international company, or to work in a Consulate, that is why I plan not to stop on what I achieved but to move further.

I would have never imagined how a three-week course could change someone in such a good way. Nowadays, I am definitely not the same person who landed in Saint Petersburg on the 16th of August. Behind me, I left a great university, one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited and many nice people I am sure I will meet again. But I am taking back home much more. I have discovered a new country and a new culture from inside with the help of local people (such as our tutors, coordinators and teachers) and with the company of a diverse international group that both contributed to make a brilliant and unique experience

The reasons that underpinned my decision to take part in the summer school were the international outlook of the program, the involvement of leading professors in the educational process, the visit to industrial facilities and the chance to be exposed to the Russian culture in a vibrant city as Saint-Petersburg. I am delighted that all professors, as I expected, were very knowledgeable, open-minded and positively-oriented, and also very eager to transfer their knowledge in a non-traditional (more interactive) way. Furthermore, the visit of some large electricity generation (Rosenergoatom, the branch of Leningradskaya NPP) and turbine manufacturing (REP Holding) sites was undoubtedly a cornerstone in terms of providing additional added value to the program. In addition, for the positive outcome of the school contributed the big variety of cultural activities organized during the stay. For instance, the excursions to the world-renowned The State Hermitage Museum and Peterhof Palace, and the boat trip along the Neva river were absolutely marvelous. Last but not least, all program coordinators were extremely supportive and always ready to help throughout the entire program, which has made the stay even more delightful. So this is my impression of the summer school in a nutshell. Hopefully, it will suit your needs. Please let me know if there is anything else that I have forgotten. Also, I believe that this type of international programmes are not only about acquiring new knowledge, experiencing the life in a new country with a different culture, but also about establishing new professional contacts. Hence, I am hoping that we will manage to keep our contacts successfully in the future as well. Since I don't have all the contacts of your university colleagues who have been involved in the summer school (and I don't want to miss anyone), please say hello to them from me. Lastly, I wish you a great success to all your current and future endeavours.

It has been the best summer for me. The course was just for 3 weeks but I have learnt a lot in those 3 weeks and met people from all around the world. We all hung out in the night talking about people and culture. We went around the city and cover all the most awesome places in the city. Thanks to the teachers for being very understanding and patient. They taught us with understanding of our background and made the course very fun. St.Petersburg was awesome. Dasvidanya Russia. Hope to come back again