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!
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
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!
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.
