A lot of attention at South Ural State University is paid to working with international students. The International Office of SUSU promotes their integration into the new cultural environment. For that purpose, the International Office together with Association of International Students launched a new project.
Before the beginning of the new academic year, a group of tutors has been gathered at SUSU: mentors who are the university’s students helping international students during their initial period of adaptation in the new-for-them environment.
“Starting from August 20 and till the end of September, international students come to Russia to start their studying at SUSU. We organized this project in order to help international students during them getting acquainted with the university. First of all, tutors should be solving problems related to arrival of international students at SUSU and to their further adaptation,” said Head of the International Student Support of the International Office, Ekaterina Yurovskaya.
Presently, 40 tutors are involved in the project. Many of them decided to participate in order to practice their foreign language speaking skills and learn about other cultures.
“While communicating with representatives of various countries, tutors get new experience and emotions which will help them in their future professional activity. We are testing the work system and see how it can be improved, so that interaction with international students could become more fruitful and comfortable,” said specialist of the International Student Support, Valeria Chachina.
Among tutors’ responsibilities is meeting international students at the airport or the railway station, in order to help them orienteering and get to the university campus. They also provide assistance in issues connected with staying in Russia: register for migration, obtain insurance, and undertake medical examination. An important part is accommodating international students in dormitories. Besides, tutors show international students to the location of academic buildings and all necessary infrastructure.
“I like talking to different people; I would like to befriend representatives of various cultures. Besides, I’ve been among activists from the first year of studying: I was a member of the Student Council, and I’ve been organizing various events. I would also like to improve my English. I learned about the project at SUSU page in social networks and filled in an application right after seeing the post about admissions. A tutor performs various tasks: helping with documentation, currency exchange, showing the nearest shops, or meeting with student supervisors. Of course, I am planning to keep providing assistance to our international students. I think, during the year we will have a lot of things to show them,” said tutor Aleksey Pyrinov.
They are not only Russian-speaking students of SUSU who are tutors, but also the international students who had already adapted in the new country and are ready to share their experience with others.
“I’ve been studying at SUSU for 4 years already, so I decided to become a tutor and help other international students to get adapted to living in Russia and tell them about local laws and rules. I like this job a lot. I would like to wish new students be diligent, aspire for successful study and enjoy the celebratory events held at the university,” said international student of SUSU, Esmael Kundi.
International Office intends to develop the project. In particular, during the academic year, tutors will be able to independently organize excursions and other events for international students in order to promote their social and cultural adaptation.
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