Stories from Abroad

My name is Daria Subbotina, I am a student at IRNTU. In the fourth year of my studies, I took part in an international exchange program at the Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia. There I studied a new field of engineering geodesy and geomatics. The learning process was significantly different fr om what I was used to, and it was very intense and exciting.

As part of the program, I gained a lot of new knowledge and skills. In addition to the traditional lectures, there were many practical classes and interesting projects. I especially remember the field work that allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Studying at the Bandung Institute of Technology gave me a unique experience and expanded my professional horizons.

My time in Indonesia was filled with many fascinating and unforgettable moments. I spent time with new friends, traveling and studying Indonesian culture. Indonesians will always remain one of the most hospitable and friendly people for me. There was always an atmosphere of unity and mutual understanding on campus. It was interesting to learn about the history, religions and holidays of this country. A unique experience for me was to try their national cuisine, which was very different fr om Russian. Once I even managed to get into the kitchen of a cafe, wh ere they taught me how to cook one of my favorite dishes.

Indonesia is also famous for its beautiful nature. One of the memorable trips was a trip to the neighboring town of Ciwiday, wh ere I was able to enjoy the views of coffee and tea plantations. On Pramuka Island, we conducted field work twice and collected data for our Hydrography class. It was a pleasure to relax in Bali during the holidays, enjoy the beauty of the Indian Ocean and join the unique culture. I also visited many local attractions such as temples and museums, which allowed me to better understand and appreciate Indonesia's rich cultural heritage. In general, this trip helped me not only to deepen my professional knowledge, but also to broaden my horizons by getting to know this beautiful country.

Overall, my internship experience was incredibly positive! I was fortunate to visit numerous captivating locations and make acquaintances with individuals from various countries. The most significant advantage for me was the practical application of the Chinese language. Furthermore, the journey significantly enhanced my soft skills such as resilience, adaptability, and communication, among others.

In terms of academics, I gained valuable experience, particularly in public speaking and group work. These skills have undoubtedly improved during my time abroad.

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?

Compiling all the necessary documents proved to be a challenging task. My advice to future participants of the academic mobility program is to verify the validity date of your passport well in advance and clearly understand your objectives for participating in the internship abroad to seamlessly craft a compelling motivation letter.

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

The visa application process was surprisingly straightforward. You need to complete the online application form, submit all required documents (including a mandatory acceptance letter from your institution), visit the embassy, pay the fee, and within a week, your visa will be ready!

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

The most crucial aspect is to thoroughly research the subjects you choose. Overall, I encountered no significant difficulties as the staff at the Chinese university provided excellent support. Additionally, we had Chinese student assistants who were readily available, assisting us with essential paperwork and communication during the initial days.

I highly recommend pre-installing and downloading these applications: Alipay, MetroMan, Baidu Map, and 美团 (meituan).

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.

Roundtrip airfare from Irkutsk to Beijing cost approximately 15,000 rubles, and from Beijing to Shanghai, around 7,000 rubles. The dormitory cost approximately 2,700 yuan (around 35,100 rubles) for three months.

Individual expenses on food, transportation, and entertainment vary. My weekly expenses were approximately 500 yuan (around 6,550 rubles).

To reduce costs, I suggest exploring budget-friendly dining options, utilizing public transportation effectively, and seeking out free or discounted activities.

 The language internship at the China University of Petroleum has left a positive impression. In addition to the fact that our language skills have significantly improved, we have also enjoyed our time in China. We appreciate the format of the classes at the university, the professionalism of the teachers, and the convenient schedule. The learning experience was as comfortable as possible, and we were able to contact the teachers or the administration on any issue. Our group studied according to a modern program, which resulted in easy application of knowledge in daily life. Additionally, I would like to mention the university campus and dormitory. Everything has been done to ensure maximum comfort for students, including shops, cafeterias, a post office, a hospital, and ATMs. The dormitory also provided comfortable living conditions, with rooms for two people that are clean and well-maintained. Personally, the trip has had a significant impact. Qingdao has impressed us all with its beauty. During our free time, we engaged in various activities such as walking, visiting attractions, and making new acquaintances. We would like to continue INRTU cooperation with UPC in the future. For us, as being the first students from Irkutsk to visit Qingdao, this experience has provided us with a wealth of knowledge and cherished memories.

 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 issues were mainly related to currency exchange, but everything was resolved quickly enough. We made Gazprombank UnionPay cards, from which we withdraw money at any ATM in China and replenisher Alipay, WeChat. You can pay with a Gazprombank card in large stores and supermarkets and withdraw money from it, that's probably all. Upon arrival in China, you can easily get a Chinese bank card.

It is not difficult to get an X2 visa: collect a small number of documents, fill out a questionnaire and come to the embassy in our city. We contacted the mobility department for all questions, at this stage they almost did not arise.

There were the least difficulties at this stage. The INRTU Mobility Department was always in touch with us, and the host university turned out to be very hospitable. Upon arrival in Qingdao, we were greeted by volunteers who speak Russian and Chinese. Volunteers helped to sort out the hostel, get bank cards, a Chinese SIM card, in general, with any, even small issues.

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 expenses were all justified and in the end came out no more than we expected. The visa cost 2500r. We bought plane tickets to Beijing a few months before departure, and this was our mistake, because the flight is daily and the closer to the flight, the cheaper. So we bought tickets from Irkutsk to Beijing for 21,000 rubles, and back for 14,000 rubles (we bought 2 weeks before departure). The Beijing-Qingdao high-speed train cost us 350 yuan one way. The hostel cost 600 yuan per month, they paid immediately for the entire period. There is also a one-time deposit of 1000 yuan and a registration fee of 400 yuan. The campus card to eat in the cafeteria is 20 yuan. You can eat in the dining room for 35 yuan a day. We traveled around the city by subway – 5 yuan per trip. They also spent money on laundry in the dorm – 5 yuan at a time. On average, it took from 2,000 to 2,500 yuan per month to live a comfortable life.

       The impressions fr om the internship are as positive as possible. We managed to achieve a lot of things. So, for example, I raised my level of Chinese, and also practiced English a lot. I tried my hand at various sports sections, such as basketball, athletics, and lawn tennis. I have found many new friends from different countries. And I was also able to plunge into the culture of China and enjoy all its beauties. During my internship, I learned how to close subjects online and study remotely. This internship has given me a lot of new knowledge and experience. I am grateful to our university for having such an opportunity to study for an exchange in different countries!   

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?

Most of the difficulties were with the documents. At some points it was difficult to fill out various applications, and sometimes it seemed that the documents would not be ready in time for the required deadlines. In any case, everything is solved. I could advise future program participants to do the necessary documents right away, as well as learn as much information as possible about them, about the university and about China in general. And you can also ask for advice and any help from guys who have already been on an internship and have the necessary information that can help future participants of the academic mobility program.   

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

The process of obtaining a visa was not very difficult. First of all, we filled out a questionnaire, after which we collected all the documents and went to the embassy. After that, we went to the bank to make the payment. Then all that remained was to wait. But we didn't wait long, and at the appointed time (about a week later) the visa was ready. For future participants of the program, I can give advice not to delay the production of a visa, immediately collect the necessary documents and get it quickly.

Upon arrival in China, there was a slight difficulty with the payment. There are few places wh ere you can pay with a UnionPay card. Cash is accepted, but sometimes it can be problematic, and in most cases everyone makes payments via a keycode in the WeChat and Alipay applications. To use these applications, you need to have a Chinese card. So I advise future participants of the academic mobility program to go to the bank as early as possible upon arrival and make a Chinese bank card. It's not difficult to do this at all, but later it will really make life much easier. It is also worth making a Chinese SIM card. To do this, you need to come to the office of a mobile operator, and there they will issue a SIM card without problems and very quickly.

 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 flight was not very expensive.   The visa cost 2500 rubles. A ticket to Beijing from Irkutsk cost 17 thousand rubles with luggage, and back in general 14 thousand rubles (it is better to buy a ticket closer to the flight, so they are cheaper). The Beijing-Qingdao high-speed train cost us 350 yuan one way. Public transport is generally very cheap. The subway fare is from 3 to 8 yuan. The bus fare is about 2 yuan. Taxis are also not very expensive, our trips were 15-20 yuan for a short distance. The hostel cost 600 yuan per month (a room with a view of kapus) and about 750 yuan per month (a room with a view of the sea). Laundry in the hostel is paid - 3-5 yuan. There is also a one-time deposit of 1000 yuan and a registration fee of 400 yuan. The campus card to eat in the cafeteria is 15 yuan. On average, you can spend about 40 yuan a day on food in the dining room. If you eat in a cafe, one dish costs 25-40 yuan. At the end of the trip, we got sick, so we had to use medical services. We have the following embezzlement: registration and medical card - 15 yuan; the blood test is 52 yuan, the IV is 150 yuan (these expenses, of course, are individual).

The impressions from the internship were only positive. When I first arrived, it was a little difficult to adapt to a new country, in new conditions, but it passed quickly. Most of all, I liked to attend couples, as each teacher had his own individual approach to explain a new topic. It was great to do homework on a special electronic platform, we wrote hieroglyphs, made sentences, wrote essays, etc. I think that thanks to this trip, my Chinese has improved significantly, which makes me happy. In addition to the educational process, I and the guys with whom we came actively studied the city and its sights. We met many wonderful people who are also studying in China, and it was great to communicate and share our experiences.

In conclusion, I would like to thank IRNITU and BRICS in particular for the opportunity to gain this limitless experience and a whole body of knowledge, which I am sure will be useful to me 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?

 The issues were mainly related to currency exchange, but everything was resolved quickly enough. We made Gazprombank UnionPay cards, from which we withdrew money at any ATM in China and replenished Alipay, WeChat. You can pay with a Gazprombank card in large stores and supermarkets and withdraw money from it, that's probably all. Upon arrival in China, you can easily get a Chinese bank card.

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

It is not difficult to get an X2 visa: collect a small number of documents, fill out a questionnaire and                         come to the embassy in our city. We contacted the mobility department for all questions, at this stage they    almost did not arise.

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

There were the least difficulties at this stage. The IRNTU Mobility Department was always in touch with us, and the host university turned out to be very hospitable. Upon arrival in Qingdao, we were greeted by volunteers who speak Russian and Chinese. Volunteers helped to sort out the hostel, get bank cards, a Chinese SIM card, in general, with any, even small issues.

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 expenses were all justified and in the end came out no more than we expected. The visa cost 2500r. We bought plane tickets to Beijing a few months before departure and this was our mistake, because the flight is daily and the closer to the flight, the cheaper. So we bought tickets from Irkutsk to Beijing for 21,000 rubles, and back for 14,000 rubles (we bought 2 weeks before departure). The Beijing-Qingdao high-speed train cost us 350 yuan one way. The hostel cost 600 yuan per month, they paid immediately for the entire period. There is also a one-time deposit of 1000 yuan and a registration fee of 400 yuan. The campus card to eat in the cafeteria is 20 yuan. You can eat in the dining room for 35 yuan a day. We traveled around the city by subway – 5 yuan per trip. They also spent money on laundry in the dorm – 5 yuan at a time. On average, it took from 2,000 to 2,500 yuan per month to live a comfortable life.