Stories from Abroad
The internship was successful; a great deal of work was accomplished during my studies abroad. It was my first internship experience in China, and I am truly glad that I chose this country. I am absolutely delighted with China and with the city of Ningbo, where the internship took place. During this spring semester, I managed to do so much — I enjoyed Chinese cuisine, immersed myself in the atmosphere of China, and even got a feel for the rhythm of life familiar to the Chinese people. I got to know many international students fr om a wide variety of countries, such as Morocco, France, Spain, Finland, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and others. Over the course of my studies, I also improved my Chinese, became better at understanding spoken Chinese, and even started to distinguish between some dialects. Speaking Chinese has become easier, and now the language sounds clearer and more comprehensible to me. I met many new friends and made valuable acquaintances. Communicating with international students is a very rewarding experience — and it is also incredibly interesting; there is always something to ask about, whether it’s their country’s traditions, their cuisine, or how they decided to come to China. There is always a topic for conversation — the key is not to be afraid to initiate it. Living in a dormitory taught me how to manage household chores on my own, including cooking and making time for laundry. Life in the dormitory in Ningbo felt wonderful to me; we often gathered as international students to play board games, prepared our national dishes, and shared them with one another.
What difficulties did you have at the stages of preparation for the internship? What tips and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?
The hardest part was choosing a city for the internship, because every city is great and each place has its own advantages. There were also some challenges with preparing the documents. It took a considerable amount of time to get all the paperwork together, and I would advise you to start collecting the documents and obtaining the required signatures from supervisors well in advance. However, no matter how difficult the preparation process may be, I believe it was all worth it. You can gain very valuable experience during your internship in China, as well as an abundance of unforgettable emotions and many vivid memories. Also, my advice is to pack light, because you will want to bring back a great many things on your way home.
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
To obtain a visa, it was necessary to gather the required documents and submit an application on the website of the Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Irkutsk. After the application is approved, you need to go to the consulate in person and submit the documents for the visa. Generally, visa processing takes about a week, but keep an eye on the consulate's working hours and, if anything, do not hesitate to call them and ask if you have any questions. They will answer and help you. You should apply for the visa no earlier than one month or two weeks in advance — check the schedule, as it may change during holidays.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
There were no major difficulties — we made our way to the university campus by ourselves, found the required office, and then checked into the dormitory. My advice for future participants: check in advance on maps wh ere your university and campus are located, and how to get there from the airport and the railway station. Install offline maps on your phone in advance; popular ones in China include Amap, Baidu Maps, and Google Maps. Also, be sure to download WeChat and add your supervisor as a contact — stay in touch with them to resolve any issues. Bring some cash to pay for insurance fees, if applicable, and for dormitory payments, such as a deposit.
Specify your expenses related to participation in an internship abroad (visa costs, cost of flight / travel to the place of internship, registration fees / taxes / deposits in the host organization, policy / medical services, if used, public transport, meals, accommodation. Your tips for cutting costs.
The visa cost was about 2,500 rubles for a standard processing time, but if you are late and need an urgent visa, you will have to pay an additional 2,000–5,000 rubles. We spent about 50,000 rubles on round-trip flights, as we had layovers in Beijing, so we paid quite a lot for the tickets. Registration fees, including insurance, came to approximately 1,000 yuan. The dormitory deposit was 1,000 yuan, which is refunded upon check-out. We paid 1,350 yuan per month for the dormitory and shared a room with one other person. We spent about 70 yuan (800 rubles) per day on food, but if you cook yourself, it turns out to be much cheaper. Usually, we ate at the canteens on campus because the food is tasty and affordable, but we also tried the cuisine off campus — very delicious and also reasonably priced. Taxi in China is cheap; a 30-minute ride cost about 25 yuan (270 rubles), and since we usually traveled in a group, it turned out quite inexpensive. Laundry and drying in the dormitory were paid services — one wash cost about 3 yuan (33 rubles), and one drying cycle cost 4.6 yuan (50 rubles). You will also need to buy some kitchen utensils, household chemicals, rags, a bucket, towels, etc. All of these can be found and ordered at low prices on popular Chinese marketplaces such as Taobao and Pinduoduo.
different in the north. The people, mentality, and attitudes toward foreigners vary. Moreover, thanks to the program, my dreams came true: I visited the Great Wall of China and went to a Chinese bathhouse!
What difficulties did you have at the stages of preparation for the internship? What tips and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?
The main difficulty in preparation was adapting to China’s digital ecosystem. In Russia, it’s hard to set up mobile payments without a Chinese phone number and bank card. Install and study the app interfaces in advance: be sure to download Alipay, WeChat, Didi (for taxis), and Taobao. Understand their functionality before departure. Despite the prevalence of cashless payments, cash in yuan (better exchanged in Russia) is very helpful on the first day. The most convenient way to top up Alipay is to ask one of the Chinese volunteers or colleagues to transfer money to your wallet via their local card, and you give them cash in return. Sort out your connectivity in advance. Get an eSIM through the Trip.com app before departure. This will give you internet immediately upon arrival (without a VPN for your usual apps!), save you from queuing at telecom shops, and free you from depending on a local carrier.
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
Since the program was short-term and took place under the visa-free regime according to the agreement between the Russian Federation and the PRC, obtaining a visa was not required. Before departure, we had to fill out an electronic arrival form, receive a QR code, and show it at the airport.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
No difficulties arose upon arrival. The reception organization was top-notch: we were met at the airport, taken to the hotel without delays, and checked in promptly. The hotel was close to the university, making logistics extremely convenient. The host side was friendly and ready to resolve any issues that came up.
Specify your expenses related to participation in an internship abroad (visa costs, cost of flight / travel to the place of internship, registration fees / taxes / deposits in the host organization, policy / medical services, if used, public transport, meals, accommodation. Your tips for cutting costs.
Flight tickets: ~40,000 RUB (round-trip)
Insurance: ~2,000 RUB
HSK exam fee: 400 CNY
Meals and accommodation: fully covered by the host side (camp program).
Transport (Didi taxi): the cost per ride depends on distance. For short distances outside peak hours, you can keep it within 7-9 CNY, and for longer trips – about 20-30 CNY.
The program left an indelible impression on me. South Korea greeted me with its incredible energy, delicious food, and very friendly people. It wasn't just studying — it was a real adventure. I consider overcoming my fear of speaking Korean to be my main achievement fr om the trip. When you're in an unknown place, with a dead phone and no acquaintances, you stop caring what Koreans might think of your accent or poorly constructed grammar — you just walk up and, using gestures and every word in your vocabulary, try to ask how to get to Starbucks. Studying in South Korea is known for its competitiveness, and I was able to experience that firsthand. The teachers created conditions in which you wanted to stand out and get the highest grade in the whole group. I became more organized, and a desire to study even harder was ignited in me. I would also like to mention the student community, which helped me meet many new friends and acquaintances from all sorts of different countries: USA, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and many others. I believe the best part of any exchange program is the new people you get to meet.Personally, I grew as a person. I became more organized, stopped being afraid of the unknown, and learned to appreciate the little things. This trip showed me that the world is huge, and it motivated me to study even harder so that I could have the opportunity to travel and work in such an interesting place in the future.
What difficulties did you have at the stages of preparation for the internship? What tips and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?I ran into difficulties when applying for the K-ETA electronic travel authorization. The entry permit can't be paid for with regular Russian cards, so I had to get a UnionPay card issued.
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
If you're going for a short stay, a visa isn't required — it's better to apply for K-ETA. The electronic travel authorization is processed remotely through the website, and the answer usually comes within a couple of hours, or at worst within 48 hours. You'll have to pay via UnionPay.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
The difficulties began right upon arrival: the host university didn't provide a transfer, so I had to struggle through conversations in broken Korean while trying to figure out how to get to Daejeon. Most likely you'll have Wi-Fi everywhere: on the street, in the dorm, at the university, but there's a small chance you won't. So right after arrival, I'd advise you to exchange some money at the airport and download the WOWPASS app. There you can first set up a tourist bank card and get it right away at the nearest ATM in the airport, and after topping it up, order an e-SIM through the same app. I strongly recommend planning wh ere you'll travel within the country, because you probably won't manage to do most of what you plan. Free time will only be on weekends, so buy train/bus tickets, hotel bookings, event and concert tickets in advance (~a week ahead) and make an itinerary of all the places you want to visit.
Specify your expenses related to participation in an internship abroad (visa costs, cost of flight / travel to the place of internship, registration fees / taxes / deposits in the host organization, policy / medical services, if used, public transport, meals, accommodation. Your tips for cutting costs.
K-ETA: ~500 rubles
Plane tickets: ~72,000 rubles
Program participation: ~74,000 rubles (meals and accommodation were included in the price)
Travel from Incheon Airport to Daejeon: ~1,700 rubles
Traveler's insurance: ~5,000 rubles
Public transport for the entire stay (intercity trains/buses, city buses, taxis, subway): ~10,000 rubles
What difficulties did you have during the preparation stages for the internship? What tips and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?
I didn't have any special difficulties at the preparation stage, but the most difficult thing was collecting documents remotely, since I was not in my city at that moment – I had to coordinate everything by mail and through couriers. My main recommendation to future participants of the academic mobility program is to start preparing all documents as early as possible, apply for visas and insurance in advance, and carefully plan what to bring with you. I strongly advise you to think about a first-aid kit: take all the necessary medicines and first aid products from Russia, because medicine works differently in China, and many of the drugs we are used to either are not sold there or do not help as we expect.
Describe the visa application process. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
The process of obtaining a visa is now quite simple: almost everything is processed online, and you only need to submit a passport and a ready-made package of documents to the visa application center in person. I didn't have any problems with the visa. The only advice is to carefully check all the data in the questionnaire and keep track of the deadlines for submission so that there is no rush. I also recommend that you check the list of required papers on the consulate's website in advance, as requirements may vary.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
The difficulties on arrival were mostly of a domestic nature – they are different for everyone, but we coped with them. It was unusual to adapt to the local climate (humidity, heat) , to a different cuisine and daily routine. I advise future participants to take care of their money and belongings, think over the budget in advance for the first time, and also not to hesitate to ask for help from local coordinators or senior students – they are always ready to tell you wh ere to buy the necessary things, how to use transport, etc. It's also useful to download local navigation and translation apps to get started faster.
Indicate your expenses related to participation in an internship abroad (visa expenses, flight/travel costs to the internship site, registration fees/taxes/ deposits at the host organization, policy/medical services, if used, public transport, meals, accommodation). Your tips for cutting costs.
My main expenses:
- Visa fees – about 2,600 rubles (approximately 600 yuan).
- Round-trip flight – 50,000 rubles.
- Hostel accommodation – 800 yuan per month.
- Medical insurance – 5,000 rubles (I did not use medical services).
- Public transport – fr om 1 to 10 yuan per trip (depending on the distance).
- Train ride to Nanjing (from another city) – 300 yuan.
- Food and small household expenses – about 1,500–2,000 yuan per month (depending on wh ere and how you eat).
My overall impressions of the study program are highly positive. I successfully passed all my subjects with scores above 80, which I consider a good academic result. The semester proved extremely useful: I significantly expanded my professional knowledge, learned a large number of international terms in my field, and carried out large-scale laboratory work (for example, simulating oil extraction using a pumpjack) that is not available at my home university in Russia. In addition to my studies, I made many new friends (both international and Russian students), immersed myself in Chinese culture and daily life, and visited local attractions. I believe this trip had a comprehensive positive impact on me, both professionally and personally.
Difficulties during the preparation stage and recommendations for future participants
There were no serious issues during the preparation stage. Accommodation was easily arranged by moving into the university dormitory, and the international office coordinator clearly guided me through all the necessary paperwork. At the moment, the process of transferring my credits is not yet finalized; however, I expect it to be completed in the near future. I will update my review with the relevant details once it is resolved. Recommendation: future participants should proactively clarify all the details and deadlines regarding credit transfer with their home department well before departure to avoid any delays upon return.
The visa application process and advice
The student visa application was submitted by filling out the form on the Chinese embassy's website. The processing time took approximately 3 to 7 days. Since the nearest embassy is located in the city of Irkutsk, I was able to visit it in person (which was very convenient). After submitting the documents, I was issued a receipt for the consular fee of about 2,000 RUB, which I paid at a nearby bank branch (a 20-minute walk away), and then I received my visa. The visa was issued for 180 days. Advice: carefully check all the fields of the application form and pay the fee on time.
Difficulties upon arrival at the host university and adaptation
Upon arrival at the China University of Petroleum, I encountered a few minor logistical issues. First, accommodation fees in the dormitory can only be paid via non-cash methods (through Alipay or WeChat), so I recommend topping up these e-wallets with a sufficient amount of RMB right away. Second, the room was completely empty, so my advice is to order essential items (such as a pillow and bedding) via local parcel pickup points on the very first day (delivery usually takes about 3 days). The language barrier is one of the main challenges, but you adapt to it quite quickly. The academic system is very clear and easy to follow; however, the exam format is different from ours. There are no examination tickets – all exams are conducted as tests, with professors constantly walking around the room and monitoring the students.
Expenses and tips for saving money
My expenses during the study period were as follows:
· Visa fee: about 2,000 RUB.
· Round-trip airfare: about 43,000 RUB.
· Insurance: no more than 4,000 RUB.
· Dormitory accommodation: 500 RMB per month (for 4.5 months, roughly 22,500 RUB at the current exchange rate).
· Meals: on average, 45 RMB per day.
· Transport: buses — 1–2 RMB, subway — 2–8 RMB (prices are affordable).
· Study materials: provided free of charge.
Tips for saving money: Eating at local canteens is the best way to save money, as the variety of dishes there is so vast that you cannot try everything even in six months. As for shopping in stores: do not succumb to the illusion of low prices, because thoughtless purchases often lead to accumulating unnecessary items of mediocre quality.
