My city is a small one and there were not so much things to do for me and places to visit. I can do much more activities in Saint-Petersburg, so it is more interesting and lively.
We visited lots of places together and we had happy time that is what I liked the most. And for sure, when I will come home I am going to continue my relationships with my classmates.
I spent much time with my friends and classmates here by visiting bars and museums. The old Hermitage was like a palace and it looked so luxury and magnificent that I fell in love with it and really liked to visit. Also, I appreciated studying in the National Library, when I could not study at home. And I still wish to see Summer Garden here, but ,overall, I think that I have seen lots of places.
I appreciated a lot that professors had patience. During the semester we did many presentations and I suppose it will be helpful for us.
I am very happy that the university sent everybody of us a BUDDY. Because when I arrived here I knew nothing, I could not speak Russian and buddies took us from an airport, so this help was very-very important for me. Actually, it was my most favorite day in Saint-Petersburg and I was very delighted.
Studying abroad provides you with such a unique experience as:
Gaining hands-on field experience and a broader professional network
Improving intercultural communication and team work
Improving foreign language skills
Learning different academic systems
Building long-lasting friendships ...
… so it is a good experience for each student to study abroad!
Take your chance!
Zhao Ming Yue
I want to dedicate this post to the Saint-Petersburg Academic University, or more precisely the exchange study period 2015/2016. My name is Richard, I'm from Latvia. Though my alma mater is in Finland, namely the Turku University of Applied Sciences, I was pleased to be able to come to the “Double Degree Diploma” program and spend an academic year at SAU.
In 2014, Turku University of Applied Sciences reached an Agreement on the program of “Double Degree Diploma” with SAU. I was immediately informed about that news. My first visit to Saint-Petersburg was in 2011 and I promised myself to come back to this city. I had no doubt in choosing the place of exchange study among more than 100 universities around the world.
I would like to underline the assistance of the International Office during my exchange. During the application period the International Relation Managers provided me with the necessary information both on visa issues and other moments before and after arrival. I had a support and the importance and necessity of my staying at the university. I will recommend this university to students from Finland.
I am very flattered by the fact that the courses I took, taught by professionals - both theoreticians and practitioners. I was ranked as the strongest courses to teachers, and I confidently declare that for one academic year was able to explore a wide range of Financial Management course. Many speakers can be identified, but in particular it should be noted V. Kunin, M. Manina, B. Kordovich, E. Litau, E. Smilshkalne and A.Vashchuk.
During the year I think I managed to visit all the museums, the nearby cities and suburbs: Pavlovsk, Lomonosov, Tosno, Pushkin, Kronstadt, Peterhof, Strelna, Shlisselburg, Vyborg, Sosnovy Bor, Gatchina, Priozersk, Vsevolozhsk, Moscow and Karelia. Also I visited lots of sports events and other urban activities.
Richard Novikovs
Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland
The Saint-Petersburg University of Management Technologies and Economics offered me the chance to spend an entire semester studying at their university. The experience has been absolutely priceless and positive under every aspect. Starting from the preparation to it, the staff has been kind and available to clarify all the doubts and difficulties, providing all the information needed for a perfect stay at their university and their city. The city itself offers a lot of things to visit and to experience. The beauty of its palaces and the majesty of its churches, especially when they are covered with snow, create a fairytale environment that will stay imprint on your mind for the rest of your life. I also had the chance to visit some other cities of this country, like Volgograd, Novgorod and Murmansk and Moscow. The help received by the staff of the international office in organizing these trips, giving us all the information about the places, the best transportations and the documents needed to travel has been really helpful and appreciated. The university offers a nice approach to the Russian educational system, giving you the chance to experience directly what is like to be a Russian student giving the opportunity to follow the lessons together with real Russian students. The teachers are all qualified and they all provide the information needed to overcome all the difficulties that may occur in the study of their subject. A lot of events take place in this university, events to which I had the chance to take part in directly. “The Student Festival”, “Mister University” and “The New Year’s Concert” are just some of them. This experience has left something undeletable in my mind and my formation, both educational and personal, that I highly recommend to everyone!
MATTEO FALCIONI
I was working at SAU for three months as a trainee in the International Office. I was helping my team to have new connections in Finland, where I’m from, I was translating some material from Russian to Finnish and vice versa. My working hours were flexible, 5 hours a day during working hours. I also go to meet many new people and visitors of the University. My work practice went great and I was really enjoying it! I also had a personal teacher for Russian, and we met weekly during this time. I was living in the Shushary students dorm with other students. I got to know the city very good and always I was getting help when needed.
Maria Povalyayeff
Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Finland
When I arrived to St. Petersburg the university gave me all the necessary information and support to organize the main things, such as accommodation, visa procedures and explanation of how the courses are structured.
The international students are followed by the international coordinator Veronika Konstantinova and her collaborators, very kind people that are available every time you need.
The teachers are qualified and willing to any clarification about the program and the lessons’ activities. The university also organizes internal events such as concerts and performances where the students can participate and demonstrate their skills. I suggest to every student who wants to undertake an experience abroad, especially in St. Petersburg, to choose this university because it gives you the possibility to discover and understand Russian culture, thanks to a good integration with local students, and learn a lot about the subjects with the well-structured courses. What to say about the city? Simply amazing!
LORENZO MARIA NATI
UNIVERSITY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES OF ROME, ITALY
I want to say thanks to the Russian language teacher Nicolai, because he helped me to improve my Russian and to feel more self-confident with my Russian. He cares about all of us and always ready to help. He’s really understandable and knows really well how to do its job. I like spending my time along the rivers near the Hermitage, walking inside the Summer garden (I really adore it) and the Peter and Paul’s Fortress. I made a new tattoo of a Matrioska that will always remember me my experience here. And I made a lot of photos with my Polaroid, and each one has a precise date. So I’ll have an entire album of my remembering.
CHIARA PUCCI
UNIVERSITY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES OF ROME, ITALY
I want to say thanks to the Russian language teacher teacher Nicolai, because he helped me to improve my Russian and to feel more self-confident with my Russian. He cares about all of us and always ready to help. He’s really understandable and knows really well how to do its job. I like spending my time along the rivers near the Hermitage, walking inside the Summer garden (I really adore it) and the Peter and Paul’s Fortress. I made a new tattoo of a Matrioska that will always remember me my experience here. And I made a lot of photos with my Polaroid, and each one has a precise date. So I’ll have an entire album of my remembering.
CHIARA PUCCI
UNIVERSITY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES OF ROME, ITALY