Stories from Abroad

Impressions from the internship are sharply positive. This had been my dream since school – to study abroad, and finally it has come true. Among the results, I would probably like to highlight the improvement of my Chinese language, the acquisition of experience working with equipment for tracking eye gaze and brain activity (which in turn helps in analyzing audience behavior). Also, I would like to note the deep integration of information technologies in the learning process, the opportunity to take optional additional classes in the subject, to broaden one’s horizons. Unfortunately, at the moment I am familiar with only one exam result, which I managed to pass with 91 points out of 100 possible, which fully satisfies me. This internship was definitely useful for the development of critical thinking and the consolidation of already existing knowledge in this field, if we speak about hard skills. Speaking about soft skills, perhaps this internship improved my critical thinking skills, definitely “boosted” my resourcefulness, as well as my communication skills. It gave me an additional “pool” of acquaintances fr om all over the world, as well as invaluable experience of living in a dormitory (which personally for me was also an experience that I wanted to gain in my life). The knowledge and skills obtained during the internship I am already applying in practice; therefore, I want to say that, the internship in both academic and personal terms had an impact on me.

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 main difficulties arose only at the stage of processing all the documents and filling out all the forms on Chinese resources. There are, of course, quite a lot of them and it is not always clear fr om the first time how to fill them out correctly. For all questions, you can contact the Academic Mobility Department of INRTU, the staff will quickly try to resolve the issue and help. The following difficulties awaited at the stage of transferring funds to the Alipay and WeChat Pay platforms. Here students will be helped by a Rosselkhozbank card (hereinafter – RSHB) issued in the UnionPay system and the UnionPay application, for transfers at one of the best exchange rates. Alternatively, a transfer from any other bank of the Russian Federation, wh ere the transfer is carried out through intermediaries at an inflated rate and with a commission. The RSHB card will also allow you to withdraw cash at any ATM in China, in this case a commission of 3% of the amount will be applied, the debit amount – no more than 50,000 rubles at the exchange rate per one transaction. I strongly recommend обязательно studying the methods of transferring funds, getting yourself an RSHB card. Be sure, if possible, to get yourself a card of a Chinese bank – it will be useful to you! Carefully study all insurance documents, if possible, arrange additional health insurance in Russia and in case of emergency, contact service companies. I highly recommend learning basic words in Chinese, including – bill (numbers and numerals), names of meat, names of dishes, spicy / not spicy. I also advise immediately studying the locations and opportunities within the university, you may have opportunities to participate in countless events and gain pleasant experience. And the most important advice – do not be afraid to ask Chinese people for help, especially the younger generation. They will certainly try to help you. Install important applications on your phone, keep in mind that many applications familiar to you may not work in China, which is why I advise finding good ways to bypass restrictions in order to stay in touch. Also, for travel I advise you to install the applications “Railway12306” and “China Southern”, as well as “Trip.com”. If your smartphone has a Wi-Fi calling function, be sure to use it. It will help upon arrival to stay in touch with loved ones, and to call someone in case of unforeseen situations.

Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
The visa obtaining process is quite simple. Simple filling out of documents on the website, everything is intuitively clear. It is important to know, to obtain a visa you will need a barcode that will be displayed on the website, next to it there is a “download” button, but the embassy has slightly its own rules and you do not need to download it, simply with the barcode you will not be allowed into the embassy. In order for you to successfully get inside, take a screenshot of the website (the barcode must be present on it). The visa is issued in about a week. Payment of the visa fee is carried out only in one bank – Solidarity. At the time of my payment, the visa cost – 2600 rubles.

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

When we arrived it was a little unclear wh ere to go and what to do in general. The transfer we registered for arrives approximately 2–3 hours after your arrival (the time is indicated when arranging the BIT transfer). The main problem is that there is no additional information about wh ere you will be met and how to get to it. There is no need to panic here, engage in good old networking and find in the airport other students heading to the same university. Usually everyone arrives at around 6 a.m., and stay together as a group. This way you definitely will not get lost. Student volunteers carrying out the gathering can be identified by the university merchandise (in my case BIT). After that everything will be explained to you, so there is no need to worry.

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.

S7 business-class round-trip tickets cost approximately 54 thousand rubles (which is only about 5 thousand more expensive than economy-class tickets). It is worth noting that if you want to get a refund for the ticket by participating in the subsidy program fr om INRTU, only an economy-class ticket is available to you, business class will not be reimbursed. Accommodation and tuition in my case were free, there were only electricity expenses of approximately 30–40 yuan per person. Medical insurance in China cost 400 yuan. BIT student fee – 500 yuan. SIM card – 500 yuan. Food in the canteen costs approximately 20 yuan per meal, outside the campus territory approximately fr om 40 yuan (depending on the establishment). Unfortunately, I had to incur expenses for medical services. An appointment with a general physician varies within 20–40 yuan, an appointment with doctors of medical sciences – 60–100 yuan. Total expenses for medical services were approximately 5100 yuan, of which the Chinese insurance company refunded 3700. Public transport is represented in four types – metro, bus, taxi, bicycle. The metro costs fr om 2 to 12 yuan, the price depends on the distance between the entry station and the exit station. The bus has a fixed price of 2 yuan. The taxi price depends on the time of day and the day of the week, on average 50–60 yuan per ride. In the case of a bicycle, the price depends on which route you choose. You can pay per minute, or you can purchase a subscription, which is much more profitable! The subscription costs 18 yuan per month. Usually services provide discounts and coupons to new users, I advise using them wisely. An integral part of my trip was, of course, traveling around China. I advise traveling in a group, not alone. Train tickets – sleeper class cost from 200 yuan, depending on the distance, seated and standing tickets cost from 40 yuan. A plane ticket from 300 yuan. The maximum I paid for hotel accommodation was 92 yuan per day. Approximately 5000–6000 yuan were spent on travel. Online shopping was mainly carried out through the services 得物 (Dewu or POIZON) and 淘宝 (TaoBao), prices are on average 3–4 times lower than Russian ones, delivery is fast and there is an opportunity to return any product for any reason within 7 days (in the case of clothing – without signs of wear). My approximate expenses on online shopping amounted to 4000–5000 yuan. Visiting museums, theaters and other cultural and entertainment places. Many institutions are free, but mandatory registration through WeChat is required. If you still need to pay for entry, you can use student status, in 90% of cases a discounted price is provided. The maximum ticket cost for cultural places and attractions is approximately 50 yuan. I also visited Universal Park in Beijing. The entrance ticket cost approximately 550 yuan, souvenirs approximately 1300 yuan. A gym membership on campus cost 600 yuan for 3 months. To reduce your expenses, be sure to bargain at markets wh ere the sellers are not part of a chain. Usually the first stated price can be reduced threefold. If you are buying souvenirs, but it is not essential for you to buy them exactly in the place wh ere they are sold, take a photo of the souvenir and find it on 淘宝 (TaoBao), as a rule in a store, for example, a toy may cost 70 yuan, and on 淘宝 (TaoBao) 20–30. Be sure to study the area around you, in China different stores have different prices for everything. On the territory of the PRC there is the WuMart chain, an analogue of the American brand WalMart. Usually this store has the lowest prices for groceries and other goods. When using the above-mentioned marketplaces for online shopping, be sure to study all sellers, as well as the number of their orders and reviews (all applications are in Chinese, translation works via screenshot and translation). When traveling, expenses can be reduced by traveling in groups. A hotel for several people per day will always be cheaper than for one person. To find a good cheap café with local cuisine in China, look at the prices, as well as at the number of local residents inside (or outside, if the food is takeaway only). Usually wh ere there are many Chinese people – it is tasty and inexpensive there. Otherwise, remember, you should not constantly economize, sometimes it is better to spend more and receive a service or product of good quality, rather than constantly paying little and receiving corresponding quality, always study all possible options for acquiring something, as well as reviews and ratings on various resources, this will help you get good impressions from any goods and services in China.

My impressions were quite mixed: on the one hand, I was greatly inspired and impressed by China, local and international students, but on the other hand, I sometimes experienced culture shock. However, this exchange program became one of the most memorable and useful periods in my life, combining professional growth, cultural immersion, and personal independence. It was an opportunity that I would have regretted missing, but at the same time, it was a challenge that fully justified itself.
Results: I completed several research and practical projects on architectural technologies, project management, and construction cost estimation. I mastered new professional programs: Rhino, Grasshopper, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Project, and similar Microsoft programs. I improved my English language skills: I learned construction and physics vocabulary, and moved fr om “academic” knowledge to “practical, living” proficiency, which eliminated my fear of communication. I also studied Chinese and had frequent opportunities to use it in practice with local students and random people in various cities in China. The internship gave me practical application of theoretical knowledge; I saw “how it works” on a global level, what programs and techniques are used in construction in China. This helped me to define the topic and methods more precisely, as well as to participate in the design and construction of the final model of the architectural pavilion for my final qualification work, and also marked the beginning of my study of BIM programs and project management. It dramatically increased my level of independence, responsibility, adaptability, and skills in solving non-standard problems (from daily life to intercultural). I gained confidence in my abilities, global thinking, and many useful international contacts. I saw how people live and work in another country, which broadened my horizons for planning my own career. 

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?

Difficulties:
-    Understanding all items of expenditure.
-    Psychological preparation, fear of the unknown and fear of what will happen after the exchange program.
Advice for future participants:
Start early: make a clear checklist of documents and fill them out, submit all documents on time.
Communicate actively, ask questions to both the host university and the coordinator at your university. 
The university provides accommodation options: rooms for two and for one. It will be cheaper to find a roommate in advance and rent an apartment together. 
Finances: XJTLU provides approximate information about the average cost of living, but it is outdated, and since the price of housing changes every year, calculate your budget with a margin of 20-30%. I advise you to take 12,000+ yuan with you, depending on your needs.

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

The visa application process consists of several stages. First, you need to prepare documents from the host university, including an admission letter and a JW201 or JW202 form. Next, a complete set of documents is collected, including a foreign passport, a completed application form, photographs, and a medical examination for an X1 visa. Documents are submitted in person at the visa center or consulate, often by appointment. Check to determine the type of visa required for the program and carefully double-check the deadlines. Payment is made upon submission, and the standard processing time is one week. To pick up your visa, you will need a PRINTED barcode from the website. 
It is recommended to start the process 3-4 months before the trip by collecting documents, carefully checking the letters in the records, and establishing contact with the coordinator at the university. After arriving on an X1 visa, you must obtain a Residence Permit within 30 days. In July, an online meeting is held, at which university staff provide all the information about the necessary documents and exact dates of study, as well as the days when volunteers will help with housing, medical examinations, etc. XJTLU sends detailed instructions with step-by-step information about each type of visa.

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

Difficulties:
Check-in at the apartment, registration at the place of residence, opening a SIM card, obtaining a student ID card, undergoing a medical examination, and other administrative procedures are assisted by 
volunteers, especially if you arrive during the meeting days. However, outside of these days, you will have to deal with the paperwork yourself, so I advise you to arrive during this period or be well prepared, as often there are few people who speak English at the registration offices.
Culture and lifestyle shock: a different system of shops, restaurants, public transport, and opening hours of institutions. In China, almost everything closes between 7 and 9 p.m., which may seem early to us, so I advise you to do everything in advance.
Socialization: the first few weeks can be lonely if you don't find your social circle, so don't be shy and get to know everyone. For everyone, it will be the beginning of a new academic year, and most students will be getting to know each other, which is a great opportunity to make good friends, practice conversational English, and improve your social skills.
Academic differences: Each university has its own style of communicating with professors and different requirements for assignments, so you need to be adaptable and not be afraid to ask your classmates and professors for advice.
Advice:
- The first week is administrative: focus on completing paperwork. Plan visits to the administration of university and the bank.
- Be active in socializing: attend all welcome events, introductory meetings, and language cafes. Join student clubs based on your interests (sports, hobbies). XJTLU has clubs for various interests, and every week there are events for both general and specific interests.
-Ask questions to your classmates in the lab, your advisor (who is assigned to each student), students in higher years, and volunteers. It is better to ask several times than to do something wrong. Don't be shy.
- Learn the local rules (garbage sorting, politeness on public transport) — this will help you fit in faster.

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 fees: 2,500 rubles.
Flight to Shanghai: 21,875 rubles. Transfer from Shanghai to the university dormitory provided by the university. You must submit a request in advance, indicating your luggage and arrival time.
Registration fees/taxes: 0 rubles (not charged for exchange programs).
Accommodation: 5,200 (Wenhua Talented apartment student dormitory, double room) + 3,200 (deposit + 600 yuan utilities) per person 4,200 yuan ~ 49,980 rubles.
Weekly expenses: 900–1,500 yuan ~ 10,710 rubles – 17,850 rubles.
Total (without scholarship): 15,900–23,700 yuan.
Tips for reducing expenses:
Housing: it is cheaper to rent a room for two, and rooms facing west and north are usually cheaper.
Food: since there are no kitchens in the dormitory, find a small shopping center nearby with many restaurants offering delicious food at low prices. Also, when ordering through maituan and ele.me, you can get many great coupons and promotions.
Transportation: When paying with a student ID card, public transportation is half price (the regular fare is 3 yuan, but with an ID card it is 1.5 yuan).
Leisure: Take advantage of student discounts. In China, many places offer discounts of up to 50% when you show your student ID.
General advice: Keep track of your budget in the app from day one to see wh ere your money is going and adjust your spending.

    

My general impressions of the internship are positive: I enjoyed learning new things in another country, getting to experience a different education system, connecting with new people from around the world, and practicing my Chinese language skills in a native environment, as well as visiting places that were completely unfamiliar to me. However, choosing a different major from the one I had at the University in Irkutsk was a big mistake. As a student of linguistics, it was a real struggle to learn microeconomics, which was a totally foreign subject to me. Moreover, the courses I chose required a “foundation” of knowledge from the past, which I lacked, and therefore, unfortunately, I was left with huge knowledge gaps in my studies.
In any case, this internship was undoubtedly very useful for me, both academically and personally. In terms of academics, this internship showed me that it is always useful to try something new and inspired me to make new discoveries. On a personal level, this internship proved that each of us are capable of more and that we should never doubt our abilities and strength. Overall, this internship was a new, challenging, and super interesting chapter in my life that gave me the boost I needed to set and achieve new goals and expand my educational horizons.

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 most difficult part of preparation for the internship was collecting documents, which required extra attention and responsibility, as well as finding a clinic that would fill out a medical examination certificate in English. Nevertheless, all the preparatory stages were completed, and the internship was a successful one. For future participants, I would advise not to put things off until later, because you never know who will be on vacation when you really need a stamp or signature.

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

There are no difficulties in obtaining a visa. Moreover, in 2025, the rules were changed, and you no longer need to print out a pile of documents for the consulate. It was enough to fill out an online application form (I advise you to do this very attentively!); submit your passport and printed QR code; and pay a fee of 2,500 rubles. I would also advise you to start the visa application process as early as possible to avoid unnecessary stress.

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

Firstly, during the first week in Beijing, the main difficulty was psychological adaptation to the new environment: an unfamiliar city, people, and living conditions, being far away from family, living in a dormitory, and the familiar yet complex Chinese language.

Secondly, despite the campus tour provided by the host organization, it was difficult to find our way around the campus, and we were late for classes during the first academic week because the buildings and classrooms were not clearly labeled in the schedule.

Thirdly, the distance between the dormitory and the nearest metro station from the city center meant that I had to spend a lot of time traveling by subway (on average, a one-way trip took 1.5 hours) to reach cultural landmarks.What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program. 

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.

- Registration fee – 500 yuan
- Medical examination – approximately 3,500 rubles, Medical insurance – 400 yuan
- Airplane tickets – 15,900 rubles and 2,600 yuan
- Mobile phone service – 500 yuan (at the end of the internship, I was able to return the SIM card and got 400 yuan back), VPN – 100 rubles per month
- Dormitory deposit (refundable upon checkout) – 100 yuan
- Public transport – a one-way subway ride usually cost 7 yuan, and the transfer between the dormitory and the campus was free, while a taxi cost between 10 and 20 yuan Bicycle subscription – one bicycle ride cost 1.5 yuan, but an unlimited monthly subscription cost an average of 15-17 yuan
- The main expenses were food and drinks, which cost about 40-50 yuan per day, plus purchases on Taobao and Poizon online marketplaces.
- Other expenses: laundry in the dormitory cost 14 to 20 yuan; tickets to various cultural attractions (usually with a student discount) cost 15-20 yuan; tickets to the Great Wall of China at Simatai cost 220 yuan + ~20 yuan (cable car + entrance to the wall itself)

For future participants, to cut costs, I'd suggest thinking carefully before buying stuff (it also helps avoid getting overweight luggage), not overpaying for taxis and catching the free shuttle bus, and eating at low-cost cafes and canteens.

I feel this internship was the best experience in my life. To be honest I had some difficulties, I even wanted to go home, but that was only a stage which had to be lived through. I applied for internship to practice my English, get to know Korean culture and make friend from all over the world. Studying abroad using foreign language was very good and fun experience, professors were always nice to international students. After this internship I can 100 percent tell that I became more independent as a person.

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?

It was hard to collect all the documents, because it’s not clear which documents you actually have to collect at time.

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

Applying for a visa was simple. The one and only important thing you should have all the documents.

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: $80 (~6,440 RUB)
Flight cost: To (Ulaanbaatar – Seoul): 16,431 RUB / Return (Seoul – Beijing): 12,444 RUB + (Beijing – Irkutsk): 13,000 RUB
Travel cost to the internship location: 18,000 Korean Won (~980 RUB)
Taxes: Korea has a “Tax Free” system that allows tourists to get a tax refund for purchases made abroad. A refund is possible if the amount of a single payment is from 15,000 Korean Won. The main thing is to keep the receipts and have your passport with you when making purchases (you can exchange receipts for money at the airport). I returned 25,000 Korean Won (~1400 RUB).
Alien Registration Card (ARC): 39,000 Korean Won (~2126 RUB)
Dormitory: 1,366,400 Korean Won (~72,534 RUB)
Transport: 30,000 Korean Won (~1,600 RUB per month)
Food: 28,000 Korean Won ( 1,500 RUB per day)
In average including all the expanses it was 90,000 RUB per month.

This semester was a period of intense professional and personal growth for me. Studying Composite Structures and Construction Cost Estimation in English gave me not only deep theoretical knowledge but also practical skills in designing modern structures and budget management—competencies highly valued in the international engineering field. Immersing myself in the international environment at XJTLU taught me how to work in teams with people from different cultures, which is a key skill for a modern engineer. On a personal level, my biggest discovery was my own ability to adapt and be independent. The first few weeks, spent settling into a new country, were not easy, but as other students also note, this is completely normal, and a sense of confidence comes with time. Getting to know Chinese culture and learning the basics of the language in the Chinese Language 1 course went far beyond a tourist experience and allowed me to truly understand the local context.

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 main challenge was coordinating my study plan and collecting a large number of documents for enrollment.
Recommendations for future participants:
-        Start preparing a year in advance. Carefully study the courses at the partner university and coordinate their credit transfer with your academic office at INRTU as early as possible.
-        Establish contact with the host university. Don't hesitate to ask questions via email to clarify details about accommodation, course registration, etc.
-        Don't be afraid of the language barrier. Even a basic knowledge of the country's language (in my case, Chinese) or confident English for communication in an international environment will significantly ease your adaptation.

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

The process of obtaining a student visa for China required careful attention. The key document was the official Invitation Letter for Foreign Students (JW201/202) issued by XJTLU. With this and other required documents (application form, passport, photo, medical form), I applied at the Consular.
Important advice:
-        Follow the document checklist on the embassy/consulate or visa center website strictly.
-        Apply well in advance, considering the standard processing time is 1-4 weeks. Note that visa fees worldwide tend to increase, so they might be higher by 2026.
-        Make sure you have appropriate medical insurance for the entire period of stay, as this is a mandatory requirement for both the visa and your safety.

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

The first days in Suzhou were full of challenges: opening a bank account, registering my residence, figuring out local public transport, and mobile payment systems. Cultural differences in the academic environment, such as nuances in communicating with professors, also took some time to understand.
How to cope and advice:
-        Use the resources of the host university. XJTLU provides excellent support for international students: orientation weeks, student buddies (ambassadors), and consultations.
-        Take the initiative in communication. Try to meet not only other international students but also local students. Language practice and help with everyday matters will be mutual.
-        Be patient with yourself. Feeling a bit lost at the beginning is part of the experience. Give yourself time to adapt; don't expect full immersion immediately.

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 (X2 type, for short-term courses, single-entry): 2,500 RUB
Flight (round trip): Approximately 60,000 RUB
Transfer to accommodation: 0 RUB (airport transfer to residence was provided/organized)
Accommodation in Wenhua Apartments: 600 CNY (for electricity and water for 1.5 months) + approximately 3,000 CNY per semester (+ 1,300 CNY refundable deposit)
Mobile connection: 300 CNY (SIM card was helped to arrange by university volunteers)
Medical insurance: 0 CNY (the university provides a basic insurance package to start with)
Local transport: Metro (4 CNY), Taxi (12-40 CNY), Train (30–150 CNY), Bus (2 CNY)
Food: 10-60 CNY per meal (depends on the place). Grocery shopping: approximately 70 CNY per trip.
Personal expenses (trips, theaters, personal shopping, etc.): 7,000 CNY
Appliances (Wenhua apartments do not provide kettles, fridge, hair dryer, etc.; you buy them yourself): Approximately 700 CNY
Budget Advice: Research scholarship opportunities from your university, government, or international funds early
Food: Buying prepared meals can be more practical as there's no fridge to store groceries (buying a fridge is hard to resell later, so you lose money).
Transport: The dormitory is far from the university—a 30-minute walk to the metro. It's better to arrange taxi shares with friends (ends up being about 3-5 CNY per person for 4 people).
Dining: Chinese cafes serve great food, so you don't need to stick to European-style restaurants (a European-style dish can cost 50 CNY, while you can have a proper meal in a Chinese cafe for 20-30 CNY).
Tickets: Buy intercity train tickets a few days in advance for discounts. Use apps like Dianping for cheaper event/theater/park tickets. Use Ele.me for food delivery with discounts.
Shopping: Download Chinese shopping apps and use a translator to navigate them, as they usually have more discounts and cheaper goods.