Stories from Abroad
The biggest challenge for me was handling the paperwork and documentation. I had never done anything like this on my own before, so it was particularly stressful. Wh ere should I go? What should I write in this line? Where and how do I get an apostille? I would advise future participants not to be afraid to ask for help, and also to try not to worry too much – in the end, you will manage everything, and a month later, you won't even remember how stressed you were at that exact moment.
The visa application process didn't seem too difficult to me. By that point, I had figured out a bit about what to bring where and how to arrange things. The hardest step was filling out the visa application form because it contains many details you might simply not know at the time of filling it out – for example, your residential address or the contact information of the host party. I filled out this form section by section using artificial intelligence, and honestly, I think that's a pretty good tip. First, fill out the form with AI assistance, and then definitely reach out to your university's academic mobility department for help; they will guide you and share what they know. And, of course, they will assist you at the consulate when you submit your application (so make sure to print an extra copy just in case they find a mistake somewhere).
The biggest difficulties arose on the very first day after arrival. Due to a flight delay, I didn't have time to exchange money at the airport and ended up arriving in the country with absolutely no cash. The town was small, so there were no currency exchange offices, and the banks were closed on weekends. I could have spent the entire weekend without the means to buy bedding (which was not provided in the dormitory) or even food, but everything turned out well. I would advise either flying in with the correct currency already on hand or making absolutely sure to exchange a small amount at the airport, as this is critical for your first few days. However, even if you do find yourself in my situation, don't worry – people will definitely help you. I received immense support from my buddy and the student organization they belong to. They helped me exchange money for the first couple of days, for which I am incredibly grateful.
• Documents: Processing everything (passport, visa, apostilles, and fees) cost me around 10,000 rubles.
• Flights: The round-trip flight was about 80,000 rubles.
• Daily life: Once in Korea, I spent about 1 million won per month (around 50,000 rubles) on daily life, covering all my expenses – food, transport, entertainment, and shopping.
At the same time, I wasn't living in strict austerity mode; I traveled to Seoul, bought various Korean sweets, and went to cafes. So, I think if you exclude all of that, it would have been much less. Tips for saving money: I highly recommend avoiding cafes and restaurants and instead buying a week's worth of groceries at large supermarkets (specifically large chains, not convenience stores, as they are much cheaper). I would only visit convenience stores for special promotions, like "1+1" deals. Also, if you wish, you could choose not to travel outside your host city and just walk around locally, but I strongly advise against skimping on your own impressions and the overall experience of living in another country!
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.
My impressions are positive. The internship provided an opportunity to study in English in a live academic format—with group projects and discussions—and also to get to know a professor whose research area is close to my own, which motivates me to return to KNU as a full-time student. On a personal level, the exchange taught me how to cope with loneliness away from my family and how to adapt to a new environment—a useful practical skill that will serve me well in the future.
What difficulties did you encounter during the preparation stage for the internship? What advice and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?
There were no major difficulties during the preparation stage, as the Academic Mobility Office fully supervised the process: admission, document collection, and signing. My advice to future exchange students is to meet deadlines and not put everything off until the last moment. The main challenge was combining the exchange with my studies at IRNITU, so all questions regarding course credits during the exchange period should be discussed with your professors in advance.
Describe the visa application process. What advice do you have for future participants of the academic mobility program?
The visa application process is fairly straightforward. I made an appointment via the consulate's email, submitted my documents a week later, and two weeks after that, I picked up my ready visa on the scheduled day. I recommend starting the visa paperwork well in advance.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host organization abroad? What advice do you have for future participants of the academic mobility program?
The ID card—a resident identity document in Korea—took a very long time to process, and without it, it's impossible to open a bank account. For the first while, I had to budget very tightly because I hadn't expected the card to be issued so late. So my advice is to bring more cash with you.
Please indicate your expenses related to the internship abroad (visa fees, flight/travel costs to the internship site, registration fees/taxes/deposits at the host organization, insurance/medical services if used, public transportation, meals, accommodation). What advice do you have for reducing expenses?
Visa fees — $80. One-way flight — about 30,000 RUB. There was a free transfer from the airport to the university. For departures from Korea, I recommend Gimpo Airport—it's closer to central Seoul than Incheon Airport. Foreigner ID card — 30,000 KRW, processing takes about a month. Public transport is generally inexpensive—about 80 RUB per ride. Korean health insurance — 75,000 KRW (about 5,000 RUB). Meals at restaurants and cafés — about 500 RUB per person. To save money, in many places you can apply for TaxFree right at the checkout and get a refund on Korean VAT. Keeping track of your expenses also helps.
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 did not encounter any major difficulties during the preparation process because the International Office was always available to answer questions and provide support whenever needed. My advice to future participants is to prepare all the required documents well in advance. I also recommend informing your university instructors about your departure as early as possible. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings and make it easier to complete your exams or receive course credits on time.
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
The visa application process is quite straightforward. First, you need to complete an online application form, providing your personal information, the purpose of your trip, and details about the host university. It is important to fill out the application carefully and submit it in advance, as any mistakes may require corrections and delay the process. After that, you need to visit the Chinese Consulate and submit your passport. Then you pay the visa fee, and after a few working days you can collect your passport with the visa.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
I did not experience any significant difficulties after arriving in China, mainly because students who had already been studying at the university were very helpful and supported us from the very beginning. I would also like to share a few practical tips for future participants. First, it is useful to find out the location of the post office closest to your dormitory in advance, as many items are much cheaper and more convenient to order through Taobao. It is also a good idea to arrange your bedding before arrival. The dormitory only provides a mattress, so I recommend ordering bed linen and other essentials from a Chinese online marketplace in advance. Another useful tip is to transfer some money to your Alipay account before leaving. This can easily be done through VTB Bank, allowing you to pay for purchases and use Chinese services immediately after arrival. Finally, I recommend downloading and setting up essential apps in advance, such as a translator, maps, WeChat, and Alipay, to make your first few days much easier.
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 main expenses related to my internship were as follows:
Visa: approximately 2,550 RUB.
Flights: approximately 40,000 RUB for round-trip tickets. I recommend monitoring ticket prices and booking several months in advance, as this can significantly reduce costs.
Dormitory accommodation: approximately 3,500 CNY for the entire stay.
Public transportation: around 200 CNY per month.
Food: approximately 2,000 CNY per month. Meals at the university cafeterias are very affordable, so food expenses can be reduced considerably by eating on campus or cooking instead of dining at cafés and restaurants.
To reduce expenses, I recommend:
- booking flights well in advance;
- eating primarily at the university cafeterias;
- using public transportation instead of taxis;
- ordering necessary items through Taobao.
My impressions of the internship are quite positive, since Dalian - the city where we studied - is considered both the region’s economic and port hub and a resort destination; there were plenty of activities outside of class. Academically speaking, I can say that I managed to improve my Chinese language skills, since the environment allowed me to practice the language daily, using the words and phrases I learned in class. On a personal level, while on the internship, I realized that you shouldn’t be afraid of an unfamiliar culture - even if you don’t know the best way to act, you need to take some kind of action, and then the situation will work out for you.
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 didn't encounter any major difficulties while preparing for the internship. My advice is to get all your documents ready ahead of time. It’s better to double-check everything in advance than to have to rush to fix things later. I’d also advise you not to worry too much about weight limits at airports - the earlier you check in for your flight, the more lenient the staff will be about any excess weight. In general, it’s better to pack only the bare essentials and buy luggage once you’re in China - everything is cheaper there, and it’ll be easier to bring a lot of luggage back than to haul it from Russia.
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
Getting a visa wasn't difficult for me. Sometimes it can be hard to fill out everything on your own, since at first glance there seems to be too much information on the screen, but all the instructions are available online. You can easily fill out all the information and submit your online application in a single free evening.
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 to cutting costs.
Visa – 2,500 rubles per person.
Ticket to Dalian (Irkutsk→Beijing→Dalian) – 26,000 rubles; Ticket to Irkutsk (Dalian→Beijing→Irkutsk) – 36,000 rubles
Insurance in China – 400 yuan
Dormitory – 3,300 yuan
Subway – 2 to 5 yuan depending on the distance traveled
Meals – about 30–40 yuan per day if eating only at the campus cafeterias (there are 2, with a varied selection; on average, a meal costs 12–15 yuan)
You can save money on the 拼多多(Pinduoduo) and 淘宝 (Taobao) marketplaces - prices are half what they are in stores
