Stories from Abroad
I have not only improved my level of Chinese, but also have gained invaluable experience of living abroad…
What are your impressions of the internship as a whole? What results have you achieved? What are the advantages of this internship for you, what impact did it make on your academic and personal level?
I only have positive impressions from the internship. My result is reaching the fourth level of HSK. Apart from improving my Chinese language level, this internship was useful because I also gained invaluable experience of living abroad, expanded my horizons, met many interesting people.
Difficulties during the preparation for the internship. Tips and tricks for future participants of the academic mobility program.
I had difficulties with the documents preparation for the scholarship, since the documentation package is quite large.
Tip: carefully read all the requirements for paperwork.
Can you describe the process of receiving visa and give any advice?
To obtain a visa in Irkutsk you need to come to the Consulate General of China and provide all the necessary documents.
Tips: call the consulate in advance and clarify the working hours, as well as a list of documents. It takes 7 days to receive a visa.
Challenges upon arrival to the host university. Tips for solving them.
It was challenging to buy a SIM card of a suitable data plan. Fortunately, senior students helped me to settle some domestic issues.
Indicate your expenses related to the participation in the foreign internship (visa, travel costs, registration fees / taxes / deposits at the host university, insurance / medical expenses, public transportation, food and accommodation). Give some advice on reducing expenses.
The cost of a visa is 3300 rubles.
Transportation — 3000 rubles (domestic train), 9000 rubles (train from Irkutsk to Beijing).
The cost of a residence permit and paperwork upon arrival is about 5000 rubles.
Health insurance — 8000 rubles (if included in the grant — free of charge).
Security deposit at the dorm — 5000 rubles (this amount will be returned upon departure).
Utilities (electricity, water) — about 2000 rubles per month.
Public transportation — 20 rubles (single-ride ticket).
Textbooks (for the entire study period) — about 5000 rubles.
Tips to reduce costs: textbooks are much cheaper to buy from senior students.
A lot of positive emotions, meetings with interesting people and the bright colors of the country, which fascinate...
Impressions fr om the internship in general. What results have been achieved? How did this internship turn out to be useful for you, how did it affect the educational and personal plan?
There were great impressions from the internship in South Korea, a lot of positive emotions, meetings with interesting people and the bright colors of the country, which fascinate.
I’m really thankful to be given an opportunity to study in Kangwon National University, Chuncheon city, Korea, I managed to enrich my knowledge in the professional field, as well as learn the basics of the Korean language.
Difficulties during the preparation for the internship. Tips and tricks for future participants in the academic mobility program.
Honestly, there were practically no difficulties during the preparation for the internship, it was necessary to collect documents and get a Korean visa. It all depends on the requirements of the particular organization in which you plan to study. As for my case, it was required to provide a motivation letter written in two copies - in Russian and English and certified by the dean of my school, as well as a resume. Further, it was necessary to choose the subjects of study at the host university and correlate them with the subjects of my course, then obtain the consent of the teachers for the subsequent receipt of tests in the selected disciplines.
Describe the visa process.
Surprisingly, the visa was made in a short time, it took only three days. Therefore, the Korean Consulate acted smoothly and quickly, there was absolutely no inconvenience. To obtain a study visa, you must provide personal information, fill out a form provided by the embassy, and pay a fee of $ 80.
Difficulties at a host foreign organization. Tips for solving them.
The university, wh ere I had a fortune to study, is perfectly systematized and perfectly functioning throughout the entire period of study. For check-in at the hostel, I would advise future participants in the program to carefully listen to the university requirements and try to follow them, as there is a point system that is strictly regulated in the rules set forth.
Your expenses related to participation in a foreign internship (visa, cost of travel / trip to the place of internship, registration fees / taxes / pledges in the host organization, medical insurance policy / medical services, travel by public transport, meals, accommodation). Your tips for reducing costs.
As I mentioned earlier, the visa fee was $ 80, the cost of a round-trip flight - $ 450. The host organization also requires medical insurance policy in the amount of $ 70, and $ 470 was required for accommodation in a hostel for one semester of study. To reduce costs, I advise you to buy a food coupon for the entire semester of study, which will be about $ 450 and will help you to significantly reduce costs.
Not only to study hard, but also to live interesting...
Impressions from the internship in general. What results have been achieved? How did this internship turn out to be useful for you, how did it affect the educational and personal plan?
My impressions are the most positive. Based on the results of studying in Konkuk University, Korea, I reached level 5 of the Korean language skills. I learned to understand Korean speech and talk with Koreans, met new people, and also made new friends. And I also realized that it was necessary for me to go abroad for an internship and not only to study hard, but also to live interesting.
Difficulties within the preparation for the internship. Tips and tricks for future participants in the academic mobility program.
I had no particular difficulties arising. I recommend you to check all the necessary documents carefully.
Describe the visa process.
As soon as I received an invitation from Konkuk University, I immediately went to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk. Then I went to do fluorography test in one of the checked outpatient clinics and hospitals in order to give the consulate officer for confidence in the good health of the visa recipient. Then a week later I filled out a visa application form and gave it along with my passport to the Consulate. A week later, the visa was issued, I arrived, paid the visa fee and took the passport with the visa. The process of obtaining a visa is very simple, there was not any problem arising. If something is not clear to you, do not hesitate to ask the secretary at the Consulate, do not be shy.
Difficulties at a host foreign organization. Tips for solving them.
I had no difficulties. As soon as I flew to the Republic of Korea, Konkuk University students picked me up and other exchange students. We were fed, and all together with other exchange students went by bus to the university. At the university, the international office staff more clearly explained to us, with the help of a Korean student studying Russian, what needs to be done and what expenses are required of us. We were checked in our dorm rooms. We were taken care of very well.
Your expenses related to participation in a foreign internship (visa, cost of travel / trip to the place of internship, registration fees / taxes / pledges in the host organization, medical insurance policy / medical services, travel by public transport, meals, accommodation). Your tips for reducing costs.
Visa-80 $ (about 5000 rubles)
The cost of a flight to Korea was about 17,000 rubles. (I don’t remember exactly, the ticket wasn’t preserved) and the cost of the ticket to Irkutsk was about 24,000 rubles.
Transfer from the airport to the Konkuk University was free of charge (we were picked up by university students)
Registration fee — 3000 rubles.
Medical insurance policy — 6000 rubles.
The cost of buying books for training — 9240 rubles.
Accommodation — free
Meals — free
Traveling by public transport — I don’t remember (expenses were small but frequent)
Also, I spent a lot of money on joint parties with my Korean friends.
I advise you not to buy food in stores unless you have to, but to eat tightly in the university canteen.
The internship was successful; at first, it was difficult, as always, when you start something new and unfamiliar, especially in a country completely new to you. My level of Chinese has grown significantly, now I can talk with native speakers and even understand them. In fact, the Chinese language as a result is not as complicated as it was at first. In the modern world, the Chinese language goes international; knowledge of the language will greatly simplify job searches, especially in our hometown, as we are in pretty close to the Chinese border.
The difficulties mainly consisted in collecting documents, since you need to be very careful, and any mistake can zero out your application for approval of a grant. My recommendation is not to delay the collection of documents, do everything on time, and, of course, be patient.
In Irkutsk, obtaining a visa is quite easy, because we have our own Chinese consulate; it takes about 5 business days. Also, do not forget that this is a temporary visa to enter the country, then you will have to renew it in China. Usually, university staff helps with this.
I arrived with complete ignorance of the language; it was difficult enough to get to the university. First of all, I advise you to figure out how you will go, it is better, of course, by a direct flight, and see on the map how to get to the university. If they will meet you, it will be generally wonderful. Secondly, you need to know at least a little the most basic phrases to explain where you need to get.
Plane tickets cost about 20,000 p., Extend a visa in China 4,000 rubles, Taxi ride about 100 yuan (1,000 rubles). Accommodation at the dorm is free, but you need to leave a deposit of 500 yuan (they give it away upon departure), and every month you had to pay about 100-150 yuan for utilities (electricity, water). Food is not very expensive, in the dining room you can eat well for 10 yuan; it is more expensive to eat out, somewhere around 15-20 yuan, groceries are at prices similar to those in Russia.
It was the first time when I managed to apply in practice the acquired at the University knowledge...
What are your impressions of the internship as a whole? What results have you achieved? What are the advantages of this internship for you, what impact did it make on your academic and personal level?
It was the first time when I managed to apply in practice the acquired at the University knowledge. I was able to see the demand for specialists of certain areas in such international companies as Wärtsilä, WBS, Wapice, Danfoss, ABB, get acquainted with successful people in my field, gain professional experience and be inspired to further self-development. In general, comparing two educational programs, I realized what a narrow field of knowledge I learn, and the low intensity I learn it with here in INRTU. I saw the vector of my development as a highly qualified and sought-after specialist.
Difficulties during the preparation for the internship. Tips and tricks for future participants of the academic mobility program.
No difficulties were encountered. It is necessary to be prepared for a long and thorough process of preparing and submitting documents to IRNITU and the consulate.
Can you describe the process of receiving visa and give any advice?
In order to stay in Finland for more than three months, a regular visa is not enough — you will need to apply for a residence permit based on your study. The whole process includes the following steps:
1. Wait for the letter of invitation from the host institution (it will serve as the basis for the issue of a residence permit for you).
2. Carefully fill in the application form on the Finnish Consulate website, attach all the necessary documents, including an insurance certificate (be prepared to spend several hours on this) and pay the consular fee (you can also pay it at the ATM, directly in the consulate building before reception, but since payment takes place at the rate of a third-party bank at the time of payment, it is more convenient to do this online and not depend on the rate).
3. As soon as the questionnaire is saved in the system, make an appointment with the consul in Moscow.
4. Bring all original documents with you, including specially seized photos and a printed invitation letter.
5. Wait for the decision (usually 1-5 weeks).
6. Pick up a residence permit in the consulate on the way to Finland.
Pay attention to the working hours of the consulate, taking into account Finnish holidays. The information about the opening hours on the website was not correct at the time of my visit on January 4, because of which I almost had to change tickets for the entire remaining journey. It is better to call and clarify it in advance.
Challenges upon arrival to the host university. Tips for solving them.
Mrs. Lotta Saarikoski and her husband meet the students and help them to adapt to life in the city and the university, so that there are no difficulties. In addition, each foreign student gets a personal curator - usually a VAMK senior student who helps with all the questions that arise and introduces the student life in Finland.
Indicate your expenses related to the participation in the foreign internship (visa, travel costs, registration fees / taxes/ deposits at the host university, insurance / medical expenses, public transportation, food and accommodation). Give some advice on reducing expenses.
Expenses:
— Visa fee — 300 euros (depends on a currency rate, approximately 22.500 rubles.
—Insurance — 20.000 rubles (coverage amount for the residency permit at least 200.000 euro) I chose Sberbank Strahovanie which I used for the dental treatment. The medical bill cost was much higher than the insurance fee), so don’t save your money on it.
—Tickets Irkutsk – Moscow – Moscow – Иркутск – 18000 rubles – to apply to the Consultancy.
—Tickets Irkutsk – Moscow – Saint Petersburg – Helsinki – Vaasa – 15000 rubles (flight) + 8000 rubles (train).
You can get to Vaasa by plane with several stops (through Moscow and Helsinki) or by plane and train (train from Moscow or St. Petersburg). Since my budget was limited, I had chosen the most budget-friendly option at that time.
Public transportation for students costs 30 euros per month + 5 euros for one-time bus fee for a card (Available at the VaasaBus office on the ground floor of the Rewell Center, replenished every month in any RKioski). Routes, transport schedules, booking — everything http://reittiopas.vaasa.fi/reittiopas/main%20 can be found here.
It is comfortable to use public transportation in winter, everybody ride bikes when it is warm enough for that. You can easily buy a bike (used one) and then sell it via http://www.tori.fi (similar to Avito) or a page on Facebook Vaasa Buy/Sell.
Food expenses can vary, the average amount is about 30-50 euros per week (as a comparison, a bottle of water (1.5 l) costs 1.5-2 euros, tomatoes — 5-7 euros per kg). By the way, you can save up some money reusing plastic bottles and tin cans by putting them into a special automatic machine next to the store entrance. You can get 0.2-0.8 euro per bottle depending on its volume.
Students usually choose cheaper shops like Lidl and Minimani. Prisma and K-market offer wider range of goods by higher prices.
Accommodation: students live in the dorm I don’t know much about, because I rented a house from one of professors. I paid about 1200 euros per 4 months (about 93500 rubles at current exchange rates).
