Students of South Ural State University can take part in competitions for grants from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and spend one semester at European universities.
Grant competitions are announced from December to February. By winning a grant, there is an opportunity to study for one semester abroad for free and receive a scholarship. To win a grant, participants need to collect the necessary documents, have good marks for the previous semesters, and be at least at a B1 level in English. The participants' research articles, certificates for participation in competitions and conferences or extracurricular activities will be considered as advantageous. In addition to grants, students can participate in exchange programs with SUSU partner universities.
Information about grants is published on the SUSU website and in the VKontakte group of the Institute of Linguistics and International Communications. For more information about grants and exchange programs, please contact the Centre for International Education of the Institute of Linguistics and International Communication, Room 161, SUSU Main Building, or call at 272-32-22.
SUSU students win grants every year and go to Europe for one semester. And here are their impressions.
Susanna Berentseva, a 1st-year Master's degree student majoring in Ecology and Environmental Management, is spending the autumn 2020 semester at University of Debrecen, Hungary:
"I went to Hungary to study Biology at University of Debrecen for 1 semester having received a Hungaricum Scholarship, although I am studying to become an ecologist at SUSU. The courses are being carried out in English, partly online, but the most difficult subjects are mastered in the university. The study differs in that it is not a theory with several examples that is taught, but an emphasis is placed on real examples by which the theory is explained.
The scholarship covers the living expenses if you do not give in to your immediate desire to spend all the money. Those, who have not been provided with a dormitory room, receive additional money for rent.
The most difficult thing is to rent an apartment. This problem affected everyone who went for 1 semester, because the dormitory room is not provided, and there are few landlords willing to conclude an agreement for several months.
Several organisations keep in touch with new students to help them find housing. If your budget is limited, and you do not plan to rent a luxury apartment, then you should not expect a positive result from them.
There was a quarantine at the hotel upon my arrival. The university paid for 7 nights and 2 coronavirus tests. Students have the right to be out of the quarantine with two negative tests. My results came on the seventh day, so I didn't have to pay for the extra day myself.
Wearing masks in public places is mandatory here; in classrooms, they sometimes ask to treat hands and a table with an antiseptic.
Debrecen is nice for its nature and clean air. It is pleasant to walk around here, there are many parks, ancient architecture in the city centre, and many different churches. The city is small, so you can easily get around it on foot, or by bike. There is a lot of public transport; having a pass for a month, you can ride around the city in your spare time. When you overcome the main difficulties, you get a feeling that you are in a sanatorium.
The main advice to everyone who is planning to go on the same trip is to take provisions for the period of quarantine with you. No one is going to feed you for a week, or two weeks at worst. And the second advice is to look for housing, teaming up with other students in advance or already being in quarantine."
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Nikita Gelrot, a 4th-year student majoring in Economic Security, is studying at Szent István University, Hungary:
"Now I am in Hungary, and I am studying Business Administration and Management here within the Stipendium Hungaricum program. From the beginning of the semester to the present day, the lessons are taking place online, although some students are learning some subjects offline in the university. I am studying online in my dormitory. Each room is equipped for 2-3 people. Learning in itself is not difficult if you initially know something about the topic, but what is really different here is the intensity of the training. Since you can choose the subjects yourself before the beginning of each semester, the most necessary and a couple of optional ones, that is a total average of 4 academic days a week and about 3 classes a day.
The quarantine measures are strictly observed here. None of the stores will allow you to walk in without a mask. You also need to wear a mask in the university. Almost every evening, the temperature of all the residents in the dormitory is checked and recorded in a special sheet.
In addition to studying, I go to the gym here, where, by the way, prices are approximately the same as in Chelyabinsk.
Most of all I like communication with other international students. Students from different countries live in each dorm room. And in the process of communication you can learn a lot of new things, broaden your outlook, and since we all study at the university, we can also practice our professional English.
To students who are thinking about participating in such programs, I can only advise: Make up your minds! You will definitely improve your English, become even more independent and self-confident, and develop your hard and soft skills."
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Daria Shmaryga, a 4th-year student majoring in Economic Security, is studying at Szent István University, Hungary:
"I study Business Administration and Management here. Of course, training takes place in English. At first, it was difficult to comprehend English without seeing the teacher, because the classes are conducted online. A month later, it became easier.
The training system is slightly different from the Russian one. We ourselves selected subjects within our field of study. All instructors are understanding and well-versed in their subjects, explain everything well. In general, studying is no more difficult than in Russia, but it is not easier either. Also, as part of the scholarship program, we study the Hungarian language as a mandatory subject in order to get to know the local culture better.
Our temperature is checked daily. Throughout the country, wearing masks is mandatory: in public transport, shops, any crowded places (a mask must be worn even during a ferry ride!).
It was only possible to arrive to the dormitory with two negative COVID-19 tests made in Hungary. Upon arrival, I had to spend several days in a rented apartment, waiting for the results.
In my spare time, I travel around Hungary. It is a very beautiful country with a rich history and magnificent architecture. After spending two months here, I still can't stop admiring the local sights.
I advise students who are going to participate in this or other scholarship programs not to worry and not be afraid of difficulties. Even the fact that the training is held online does not overshadow the trip. This is a great opportunity to improve your language and get a unique experience of learning and interacting in an international environment. The time spent here will be remembered for a long time.
Sofia Naiman, a 4th-year student majoring in Heat Power Engineering, is spending the autumn 2020 semester at University of Debrecen, Hungary:
"I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Debrecen. Despite the pandemic, the entire training courses take place offline. We study in English. The instructors have an excellent knowledge of English. I really like it.
On the territory of Hungary, it is obligatory to wear masks indoors and use antiseptics. In our spare time, we have an opportunity to travel around Hungary, attend various small events. But most of all I like studying and practicing English. For those who are going to participate in the program, I advise to prepare for the trip in advance and select housing while still in Russia. There are big difficulties with renting apartments and rooms here, and almost no one is provided with a dormitory."
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Iaroslav Ulman is a 4th-year student of the Power Engineering and Electrical Engineering programme. He is studying at Budapest University of Technology and Economics:
"I'm studying in Hungary under the exchange programme Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. As far as I understand, each university has its own rounds to check the knowledge of students. I had to take tests in my specialization disciplines (Mathematics and Physics), the tasks in which were similar to those in our Unified State Examination. Next I needed to record a video about my motivation to study in this university and pass an interview with the Faculty dean and other members of the academic staff. The program itself implies free-of-charge studies, a scholarship of 40,000 forints, and dormitory accommodation (or you are paid the extra 43,700 forints to rent your own accommodation).
Because of the coronavirus almost all the classes are held online. We have only had 3 offline classes in one discipline as the professor himself does not fully believe their country's government about the situation with the virus. As for the classes, these are very much like ours, and everything mostly depends on the lecturer and his/her capability to spark interest to the subject in the students. I was offered to choose from the subjects available in the system to form my individual studying path. The language of instruction and course descriptions are indicated in the system, so I could pick the courses relevant for my programme that are taught in English. It's not really very difficult to study here, though it's quite hard to understand the new terminology and some phrases in English. Luckily, all the educational materials are available in open access, and that makes it easier for you to join the process of studying in English.
Due to the anti COVID-19 measures, you cannot go anywhere if you're not wearing a face mask. And if you have come from a "yellow"- or "red"-zone country, you will have to spend 2 weeks in self-isolation and take two medical tests, which are paid for by the university.
It's very interesting and inspiring to walk along the streets here. All around you are small and pretty buildings. You can feel the spirit of Europe and its beauty. At the same time, cafes, restaurants, bars, and other small public places are available everywhere. In my free time I stroll all over Budapest, and I'm also planning on visiting other cities nearby.
To those willing to go study under this program, I'd give the following advice:
form your individual studying curriculum via the system before you come here, so that you could solve all the questions with the SUSU academic staff in person; start looking for the accommodation beforehand (one week before you leave, at the very least); take the cash you need live here with you in euro and exchange it into forints in Hungary (by the way, I managed to exchange roubles into at the best rate of 1:4 right at the airport); and be patient because you will need to submit quite a lot of documents."
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Daria Ustiugova is a 3rd-year Architecture student. She is spending the autumn semester of 2020 as an exchange student at Lodz University of Technology in Poland:
"I've always dreamed of going to study in Europe. And so, for my 5th semester I decided to join the exchange program and go study to Lodz University of Technology in Poland. Of course, this has become quite a peculiar experience due to the COVID pandemic.
Except for laboratory classes, all the training is held online. I chose the disciplines I would study myself. The language of instruction is English. To feel confident here, you need to speak English well (at the Intermediate (B1+) level, minimum) and also speak basic Polish (it's good that Polish and Russian are a little bit alike). When picking the subjects, I was guided by the SUSU programme, so that it would be easier for me to take the exams, and I also chose several disciplines solely out of my own preferences, like the Polish Language for instance.
Before the total lockdown I've managed to travel around Poland in my free time. And I also socialize with other exchange students here a lot.
The city of Lodz (Łódź), where I live, is a very cosy and comfortable one. It is located just 1.5 hours of driving from Warsaw.
I'm most passionate about recommending everyone to go on exchange study, even just for one semester. You will gain an incredible experience, and will improve your English as a bonus. Poland suits very well for such an experience."