Stories from Abroad

Don't be afraid of anything, don't worry about what awaits you. In any case, you will get a wonderful experience and make new acquaintances. The fact that you will live in another country for such a long time is already very interesting, just enjoy every moment.

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

There were no problems with obtaining a visa. Just take care of it in advance.

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

The main thing upon arrival is to get from the airport to the university. Immediately prepare cash if you do not have an alipay and the opportunity to order a taxi online. Prepare the exact address of the dormitory, because one university may have several buildings. Don't be afraid to bargain with taxi drivers who will meet you right at the exit, because in the end they may have an adequate price for the trip.

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.

I bought a plane ticket back through trip.com you can buy a ticket for an international student there. Just sel ect the desired flight, scroll down, and in some cases "Foreign student" will be indicated, this option provides two bags and a low price. So I flew fr om Shanghai to Irkutsk for about 17 thousand rubles.

My impressions of the internship in China were multifaceted. The city moves at an incredible pace. I was amazed by its size and the widespread use of payment through WeChat Pay/Alipay, as well as the many rental bicycles. The first week was dedicated to exploring the area, getting familiar with the metro, Alipay, WeChat, and Baidu maps. Friendly locals always ready to help made this easier. I quickly made friends both among foreigners and Chinese, which helped me get to know the city faster. The atmosphere at the university was stimulating and friendly; teachers and students were very kind and responsive. There were often interesting events on campus, and you could always win something. Besides studying, I had time to explore the city itself. I visited many attractions, including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall of China. Each trip added to the overall experience. Beijing gave me significant intercultural experience and inspired me for further development and career plans.

Academically, I managed to greatly improve my knowledge. I learned to work in teams with people fr om different countries, enhanced my command of economic terminology in English, and took Chinese language courses, which helped me better understand speech, hear tones, and speak. Personally, this experience increased my independence, adaptability, and self-confidence. Living alone in a completely different cultural environment taught me flexibility, patience, and problem-solving skills in unforeseen situations.

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

I did not encounter any difficulties.

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 – 2500 RUB
Flight there – ~14,000 RUB
Flight back – ~10,000 RUB
Deposit – 100 yuan
Application Fee – 500 yuan
Medical services – 7000 RUB
Bus fare – 3 yuan
Metro fare – 7 yuan
Bicycle rental – 3 yuan
Taxi from campus to dormitory – 13 yuan
Daily food expenses – 25-40 yuan.
To reduce costs, you can eat only in canteens wh ere food is very cheap. Also, avoid taking taxis. If you like shopping, a great way to save money is to download apps like Poison and Taobao.

I really enjoyed the internship. Traveling to another country definitely broadens your horizons – it was extremely informative and interesting. During my time studying, I managed to go from HSK level 1 to HSK level 2. The communication skills I developed during this internship proved to be really useful. In terms of academics, I significantly improved my knowledge of the Chinese language.

During the preparation stages for the internship, it was necessary to fill out a visa application, undergo a medical examination (which also involved a large number of documents), and other exhausting paperwork procedures. The required documents needed to be ready within a very tight timeframe, which was a real problem and a major cause for concern. To future participants of the academic mobility program, I advise gathering all certificates and documents as early as possible to avoid significant delays before departing for the internship.

First, you fill out an online application, which you then need to bring to the embassy. After some time, and after paying the fee, the visa will be stamped in your passport. To future participants of the academic mobility program, I can advise not to be afraid to look for tips on how to correctly fill out the online application on the internet – there are several resources that greatly simplify this process.

Before arriving, my classmates and I didn’t properly research the climate and temperatures in the host city, which led to us packing a huge amount of unnecessary, out-of-season clothing. To future participants of the academic mobility program, I advise checking the weather forecast in advance for the duration of your stay in a particular place.

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.

Single-entry visa cost: 2500 rubles

Round-trip plane tickets: no more than 40,000 rubles in total

Train ticket on the Beijing-Jinan route: around 2000 rubles

Dormitory for the entire semester (4 months): 60,000+ rubles

Medical insurance for the semester: 4000+ rubles

Bus fare: no more than 30 rubles

On average, you can pay from 100 to 190 rubles for a serving of soup/rice/noodles in the university cafeteria.

To reduce expenses, I can advise using online marketplaces and learning specific vocabulary to ask for food to be wrapped up in restaurants to take away and eat later, instead of throwing it away.

My internship was both vibrant and productive! The language courses helped me significantly improve my Chinese, overcome the language barrier, and reach HSK 4 in a short time. The class schedule was well-organized, and the teachers were attentive and supportive throughout the program. The campus is located by the sea—from my dorm window, I could see the ocean and one of the main landmarks, the Haikou Bridge. The single room was very comfortable—spacious, with a private bathroom and a large balcony featuring a kitchenette (sink and power outlets). Unlike many dorms, there were no restrictions on appliances. The campus had numerous canteens serving delicious Chinese and international cuisine, as well as shopping malls, stores, a post office, and ATMs. Hainan amazed me with its beauty—a true tropical paradise! The trip also allowed me to make friends from around the world. We studied together, explored the island, and practiced English. I truly hope INRTU and Hainan University continue their collaboration—it’s an incredible opportunity for students to gain knowledge while enjoying such a picturesque location!

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?

Since this was my second internship, I faced no major challenges. I prepared in advance by getting a Union Pay card (Rosselkhozbank) and withdrew yuan easily from any ATM. Upon arrival, I immediately opened an ICBC bank card.

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

The process was straightforward: minimal documents, filling out an application, and submitting it at the embassy. No issues arose

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

Hainan University was very welcoming. INRTU international office helped me connect with coordinators who provided guidance. International students assisted with dorm check-in and adaptation, while the international office was highly efficient.

 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 and organizational fees turned out to be less than I expected. The visa cost 2,500 rubles. Plane tickets to Beijing are 16,000 rubles there, and back for 10,000 rubles. The Beijing-Haikou plane is about 10,000 rubles. A single dormitory cost 3,200 yuan per semester. Insurance – 400 yuan per semester. There was not even a deposit and no non-refundable contributions. You can eat delicious and profitable meals in the dining room for 15-20 yuan at a time. At the university, you can rent a scooter to travel around the campus for 3 yuan per hour. It is also convenient to rent a bike in the city, the climate and infrastructure make it convenient to move around. They also spent money on laundry in the dormitory – only 0.6 yuan at a time. On average, it took 2,500 yuan per month to live comfortably.

The internship in Kazakhstan was an exceptionally positive experience. The SDG's ISS/2025 forum combined academic intensity, practical training, and cultural exchange. I especially remember the team games, the SDG sessions, and the excursion to Borovoe, which allowed me not only to deepen my knowledge but also to get to know the nature and traditions of Kazakhstan.
- I have established contacts with representatives of 5 universities for future projects.
- I have gained new skills in the fields of art therapy and climate education, which I plan to use in my life.
- I have improved my public speaking skills.
Benefits in academic and personal terms:
I have gained a better understanding of SDG methodologies, which will help me in my future projects.
I have become more confident in an international environment, and I have learned to work effectively in a multicultural team.

What difficulties did you encounter during the preparation stages for your internship? What advice and recommendations can you provide to future participants in the academic mobility program?

I did not encounter any major difficulties. Advice: Bring cash, as there is no option to withdraw money from an ATM.

Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Provide your advice to future participants in the academic mobility program.

A visa to Kazakhstan is not required, and you can fly with a Russian passport.

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

1. Install offline maps - 2GIS
2. Buy a basic sim card of Tele 2, and you will be in touch.

Specify your expenses related to participation in a foreign internship (visa costs, the cost of flight/travel to the place of internship, registration fees/taxes/deposits at the host organization, policy/medical services, if used, travel by public transport, meals, accommodation. Your tips on reducing expenses.

1. Install offline maps - 2GIS
2. buy a basic sim card of Tele 2, and you will be in touch.