End-of-year celebrations bring joy not only to Russian but also to our foreign students. The second year of inviting and recruiting international students at NSU was marked by a program on their adaptation in the frameworks of a special project, which was a certain success.
NSU has derived a formula for successful adaptation of international students, which includes the following components: Successful Adaptation = Orientation and Induction + Access to Information + Consultations + Organized Communication + Organized Leisure Activities.
The program starts immediately upon a student鈥檚 arrival. Orientation and Induction takes about a week, during which the student is informed on the most necessary procedures, together with showing around. During relaxing walking tours around NSU and Akademgorodok, our international students see the most important sights followed by a 鈥渨elcome talk鈥�, which includes an introduction to NSU and its facilities, explanation of the program abilities to support the students, rules of behavior at the university and dormitories, safety instructions for staying in the city, etc. A 鈥渨elcome party鈥� is organized to put international students in touch with their Russian fellows. A sightseeing tour of the city is provided as well.
The first task of the adaptation program during the academic year is to provide the international students with system knowledge on the most important and necessary features of the Russian culture that students might encounter. First and foremost, it is information on the process of studying at a Russian university together with certain main aspects of Russian mentality, behavior and communication.
Such key concepts turn to applicable advice, which is why they are absolutely necessary fr om the first days of the stay. In their first term, our international students are to attend a course 鈥淭he Basics of Russian culture鈥� conducted by instructors on intercultural communication. Chinese students, for example, who were the most numerous group of international students at NSU this year, were curious to know that at Russian universities they are expected not just to learn new information by heart but to apply the knowledge gained and, which is even more important, to be able to generate additional knowledge, or 鈥渢o be able to think鈥�. They found out that the style of studying in Russia appears to be more active than in China, and the students are supposed to be more independent and proactive, self-motivated. Studying Russian culture, the students learnt more about Russian national character, the difference in communication between Russians and the Chinese and how to get on with Russian students, instructors and strangers without being confused.
The second task of the program was to aid our international students in making friends with Russian students. At first sight, the aid might seem somewhat excessive. However, being foreign, studying in a group for foreign students and staying in the dormitory together with other foreign students, they find it a problem to feel comfortable in a company of Russian students. Russian students having their Russian friends are also not so eager to communicate with international students. Moreover, their styles of communication are absolutely different. In fact, certain social isolation is a problem for many international students all over the world.
At NSU, a lack of communication with the local students is solved through a students鈥� international club Globe, which organizes various events during the whole year. It is the place where Russian and international students could share impressions of their own and each other鈥檚 cultures and traditions, take part in workshops and discussions, organize concerts and excursions. Such cultural activities proved ideal for making friends and learn about the youth culture, together with having a lot of fun.
Thirdly, the adaptation program was aimed at showing Akademgorodok and Novosibirsk to the international students so that they knew how and where to spend their free time and learnt the community and neighborhood better. During the year they had a sightseeing tour of the city, visited the Zoo, the Planetarium, the Opera and Balet Theater, the House of Scientists, the Geology and Archaeology Museums, the Exhibition Center in Akademgorodok and the Botanical Gardens. They enjoyed the Day of the City, Days of Siberian Science, and the Military History Festival Siberian Fire (in Kolyvan).
As a result, our international students feel more like at home in Akademgorodok and Novosibirsk, share the sight photos on their pages in social networks and often comment on them as 鈥淢y lovely Novosibirsk鈥�.
A very important person guiding international students throughout their adaptation period is an International Student Adviser. It is the person who can answer any question on studying at NSU, staying at the dormitory, communication and cultural differences that students might face, advise on wh ere to apply with different health or psychological problems. In case of an emergency, they could contact a special 24/7 hotline. There are also opportunities for creating and developing special NSU e-resources.
After a one-year period, the program can be considered successful as our international students feel at home here and do not hurry to leave for home. They are not afraid of travelling around Russia, they will not think twice about going on their own to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Lake Baikal and the Altai Mountains. Most of them have Russian friends and, which is even more important, they plan to come back and go on to study at NSU Master or postgraduate programs. Some of them would like to find a job in Russia.
Next year we are going to extend the program on organized adaptation as to offer guidance not only to undergraduate students, but also to postgraduates, instructors and researchers who come to NSU for a long-term stay.
Contact us at adaptation_nsu@mail.ru.
