The First Meeting of International Students’ Tutors Took Place at SUSU

A project called “A SUSU International Student’s Tutor” is actively developing at South Ural State University. This project has been organised within the International Student Support of SUSU’s International Office.

A group of tutors / mentors consisting of university students, who helped international students at the beginning of their adaptation in the new environment, has been formed at the beginning of 2018-2019 academic year. Among the tutors’ responsibilities was meeting international students (groups of students) in the airport or at the railway station in order to help them navigate the city and accompany them to the campus. They also provided assistance in solving some issues of residing in Russia and studying at the university: get registered at the Migration services, format insurance, pass medical examination, get assigned a room in the dormitory, get navigated in the location of academic buildings and the necessary infrastructure.

Last week, the first inception meeting featuring the project’s “young blood” was held. The meeting also featured the Head of the International Student Support, Ekaterina Yurovskaya, specialist of the Office, Valeria Chachina, and the President of the Association of International Students, Uvindu Wijeweera.

“More than 20 students came to the meeting. It was nice to see both familiar and new faces; it is especially nice that now the tutors also include international students who managed to get so well-adapted within their year of studying at SUSU that they want to help those who are to arrive,” notes Valeria Chachina.

The project contributes to establishment of the most favourable environment for further fruitful development of international cooperation through the active involvement into the other countries citizens’ lives, as well as to achievement of the university’s goals regarding attraction of new students through their interaction with the tutors.

“I tried to make the newcomers understand what it feels like to come to Russia without any knowledge of the language and the culture, and with no friends beside you. I know this from my own experience, so I consider development of the tutorship project to be very important. Last year, tutors became the first acquaintances and reliable friends for many of newly arrived students,” comments Uvindu Wijeweera.

The first meeting has finished, but there is still a chance to join the project as the season of activity is August, September and October.

If you want to join the team, please contact the specialist of the International Student Support, Valeria Chachina.

Valeria Chachina
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