Stories from Abroad

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

Studying in Beijing BIT  was an incredible experience for me, full of new discoveries, emotions, and impressions. During my studies, I met amazing people from all over the world—friends from all over the world. Together, we overcame language barriers and discovered the cultures of China and other countries. It was at this level that my English improved significantly—daily communication in fluent Chinese helped me overcome my shyness and become fluent. 

Furthermore, the course gave me a huge boost in my Chinese language learning. Immersion in the language environment, methods, and hands-on practice with native speakers make the learning process lively and engaging. I was especially inspired by the learning process—a well-designed curriculum that not only provided knowledge but also provided ample time for personal development, exploring the picturesque city, and experiencing the local culture. Every day was filled with new discoveries and memorable moments—participating in student activities with friends. 

Honestly, I really didn't want to go home. Staying and continuing my studies, socializing, making even more connections, and moving forward—that's what I truly wanted. I'm incredibly grateful to the Study Abroad program, which gave me the chance to have a successful adventure and become part of an international student community. I haven't felt so happy and inspired in a long time. Studying at BIT in Beijing is an experience that will remain in my heart. I'm absolutely thrilled!

BIT Winter School in Zhuhai became a real adventure for me, leaving behind a pleasant sense of nostalgia. The stronger this feeling is, the more gratitude I feel for the experience I was fortunate to have. Although factors such as weather, cost of living, and urban architecture play an important role in any trip, the winter school turned out to be primarily about people rather than the place itself. In Zhuhai, both aspects came together perfectly, which made parting with the city especially difficult. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to make friends with people whose passion and determination to pursue their dreams inspire personal growth and action. In terms of outcomes, this experience helped me feel significantly more confident when communicating in English. I learned a great deal about different cultures through interaction with international participants. In addition, lectures on artificial intelligence were held as part of the winter school program, which directly relates to my field of study at INRTU and proved to be especially valuable both academically and personally.           

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 significant difficulties during the preparation stage. The only important point is to carefully check airline tickets before purchasing them. In my case, I made a mistake with the choice of airports, which required exchanging tickets to ensure I would make my connecting flight. I recommend that future participants double-check their routes and carefully consider transfer times.

Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.

I applied for an X2 visa, which took approximately one week to process and cost 2,500 rubles. I strongly recommend applying for the visa in advance. Despite the existence of a visa-free regime between Russia and China, obtaining an X2 visa helps confirm one’s student status and avoid potential issues or questions during passport control.

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. A transfer from the airport to the campus was organized, which significantly simplified the accommodation process. Whenever possible, I recommend using the transfer service, as taxi fares can be quite expensive due to additional charges for toll roads, in addition to the taxi service itself.

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.

Visa expenses (X2) — 2,500 rubles.
Round-trip airfare — approximately 67,000 rubles.
Registration deposit — 100 yuan (refundable).
Food — approximately 80 yuan per day on average.
Taxi — about 25 yuan per ride.
Public transportation — about 1 yuan per ride.
Accommodation was provided free of charge.
As advice on reducing expenses, I would recommend sharing taxi rides with friends and planning in advance for additional spending on leisure activities and city entertainment.

All impressions are extremely positive! For me, it was my first experience traveling abroad and communicating entirely in English. I think adapting to another country is always difficult, but it's worth enduring for a while, and soon you become a part of that city.

This internship motivated me to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying new things! Before, I thought my English level wasn't high enough to express my thoughts freely, let alone learn another language through it. But as the experience showed, all that matters is practice. I want to visit as many countries and cities as possible, explore different cultures, and interact with diverse people.


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?

Overall, my main difficulties were financial, specifically related to the challenge of paying for the program itself. I recommend using various platforms that accept foreign cards for payments. Also, take as much cash as possible, because in South Korea there can be issues paying with certain cards, like in my case with a UnionPay card.

Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.

In my case (for a 2-week internship), it's better to apply for KETA. It's processed quickly, and the response comes within 48 hours at most. Plus, the application is much cheaper than a visa.


What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.

My personal difficulties consisted of initially struggling to formulate my thoughts correctly in English, which often led to misunderstandings. I also want to mention that the cuisine is indeed very different from ours. For someone like me, who can't eat spicy food, it was challenging to find suitable options for myself. Additionally, it's worth noting that before the trip, it's important to install a certain set of apps specifically for living in Korean cities, such as KakaoMap, KakaoTalk, and others.

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.

KETA: approx. 500 RUB
Round-trip flight: 65,000 RUB
Transportation card (2 weeks): approx. 1,500 RUB
Mobile data (30 GB): approx. 2,000 RUB

My impressions of the International Winter School  at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan Universityare exceptionally positive, especially when compared to my previous experience at two other Chinese universities. The program here is the most intensive I have encountered, with a schedule fr om 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including weekends. Despite the rigorous pace, the program remains engaging due to the variety of formats: lectures are supplemented by museum visits, cultural activities, and academic seminars. The level of organization is excellent, and the volunteers are very helpful. During the internship, I delivered a presentation at an academic symposium, wh ere I discussed my home university, the organization of its scientific activities, and my personal research. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to visit laboratories equipped with facilities worth hundreds of millions of yuan and consult with professors and laboratory heads. Academically, this was a unique opportunity to see advanced hardware in person rather than just in textbooks. Gaining access to cutting-edge laboratories has significantly broadened my understanding of modern technology. Personally, the internship has taught me how to work effectively under a tight schedule and maintain focus amidst a massive flow of information. 

What difficulties did you have at the stages of preparing for the internship? What advice and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?

The main difficulty was the need to quickly prepare an English CV for the selection process. Advice: I recommend having an up-to-date and well-structured resume ready in advance (at least in Russian). This will save considerable time during the application process and ensure you meet strict deadlines.

Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.

A visa was not required as the duration of the program was less than 30 days. For citizens of the Russian Federation, a visa-free regime applies for entry into China (specifically Hainan) for short-term programs of this length.