The Sociocultural Adaptation Centre will celebrate its 5th anniversary on Friday, October 15th. Volunteers and international students of South Ural State University will come together to celebrate the event.
The Sociocultural Adaptation Centre was created at the Institute of Linguistics and International Communications of South Ural State University. Its main goal is to create comfortable conditions for international students at the university and in dormitories.
“Our Centre has performed huge work. Hundreds of international students have been successfully adapted at the university. Many of them have already returned to their homeland, but continue to keep in touch with us. They warmly recall the time spent at the university, especially the conversation clubs, where they found friends. During all this time, many projects have been implemented, which still help international students, both with adaptation and studies,” says the Head of the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre Dina Valeeva.
The Centre is functioning thanks to volunteers from among Russian students who attend courses in cross-cultural communication, provide educational and social and household support for international students. The volunteers of the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre organize excursions, visits to theatres, parks, museums, jointly attend cultural and sports events, and participate in contests.
“When I was a first-year student in the Bachelor’s degree programme I was told about movements at the university and I joined some of them. However, I have been a member of the specific one for all 5 years of my studies and I can proudly say: I am a volunteer of the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre!” says Elena Naprimerova. “To me, the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre is a big family! We are all different, have different personalities, our own interests and views, but, despite that, we always have sincere and cosy atmosphere.”
Every year, the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre organizes the “We Are All Different, but We Are Together” International Festival, during which creative master classes on national dances, origami, martial arts, and more are held.
Also, the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre provides academic support of international students, and organizes the mentoring of groups of international students. One of the most successful programs functioning at the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre is the Conversation Club, where volunteers discuss burning issues with students from various countries in Russian.
“To me, the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre is a community where I can learn more about Russia, where I will be provided support to adapt to life in a new country, and a place where I've found my best friends,” says the SUSU student from Egypt Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud.
Having learned about the activities of the Centre in 2019, Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud became a regular participant in the events organized by the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre. Visiting of the Olimp summer camp, together with his friends, has become the most memorable event for him.
“I am grateful to the circumstances which brought me to the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre and the wonderful people I met there,” said Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud. “Thank you, Sociocultural Adaptation Centre!”
A professional psychologist who speaks Russian and English also works at the Centre. The beginning of a new life as a student is not easy at all, even more so if you have to move from your native country, away from your friends and loved ones. A graduate of a postgraduate studies programme of the SUSU Faculty of Psychology, a staff member of the Psychology and Psyhophisiology of Stress and Creativity Laboratory of the Biomedical Technologies Research and Education Centre Evgeniy Koltunov helps students to deal with problems and find a way out of difficult situations.
The Centre is situated in the SUSU Main University Building, Room 374, 76 Lenin Prospekt. More information on the events can be found in the Vkontakte group.
The celebration of the anniversary will be held on October 15th at the SUSU Student Centre, Dormitory No.7, 80 Lenin Prospekt.
16:00 – Guests gathering
16:30 – Ceremony start to the event.