Stories from Abroad
Overall, I have the most positive impressions of the internship. It was a valuable and rich experience that allowed us not only to deepen our knowledge of the Chinese language, but also to immerse ourselves in the culture of the country, better understand the mentality of the locals and their way of life. During the internship, I managed to significantly improve my speaking skills, expand my vocabulary, and overcome the language barrier. Live communication with native speakers, participation in cultural events and excursions have made learning the language more natural and interesting. The internship proved to be useful for me both academically and personally. Academically, I got a practice that is impossible to get in a regular classroom: I learned "live" to hear and understand different accents, react faster in a dialogue and use the language in real conditions. On a personal level, I have become more independent, open to new things, and have improved my skills in adapting to a new environment and intercultural communication.
What difficulties did you have during the preparation stages for the internship? What tips and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?
While preparing for an internship in China, I encountered several difficulties that I think many students face. One of them is the transfer of money: the exchange of rubles for yuan turned out to be difficult, especially given the restrictions in Russian banks. There were also difficulties in filling out some documents, such as visa applications. The COVA system is quite strict: it is important to avoid mistakes, specify all the data accurately, and the interface is not always intuitive. I had to carefully figure out which documents to upload, how to correctly specify information about my studies, registration, invitation, etc. The main advice is not to panic or worry if something doesn't work out right away. Preparing for an internship is really a lot of steps, but everything is solvable. Just move in stages.
Describe the visa application process. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
The process of obtaining a Chinese visa includes several steps: first, you need to fill out a form on the COVA website, then make an appointment to submit documents through the AVAS system, and after that, personally bring the entire package of papers to the consulate or visa application center. Difficulties mostly arise when filling out a questionnaire, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Some sections require attention to detail — it is important to enter everything correctly in order to avoid mistakes. But in general, if you carefully read the tips and instructions, the process is quite clear and logical.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
The most difficult thing upon arrival was to navigate in a new place without knowledge of the language and the Internet. At first it was a bit stressful — it was difficult to figure out where to go, how to call a taxi or buy a ticket. There was no Internet connection, and I couldn't translate anything through an online translator. But, fortunately, everything in China is organized conveniently and clearly, and with the help of signs and pictures we managed to get to the university. The main advice is not to panic, plan your route early and download offline maps.
Please indicate your expenses related to participation in an internship abroad (visa expenses, flight/ travel costs to the internship site, registration fees/taxes/ deposits at the host organization, policy/ medical services, if used, public transport, meals, accommodation. Your tips for cutting costs.
While participating in an overseas internship in China, my main expenses were: air tickets cost about 50,000 rubles (round trip), visa processing cost about 5,000 rubles, and hostel accommodation cost 25,000 rubles for the entire period. Medical insurance cost 7,000 rubles. There were also minor expenses on arrival — about 5,000 rubles (for a SIM card, deposit, water, etc.). Public transport in China is inexpensive — about 100-200 rubles per week. Food is also affordable, especially in student canteens, where there is a large selection and affordable prices. In general, expenses can be reduced by booking tickets in advance, taking out insurance at the student rate, using travel or transport cards and eating in the university cafeteria. It is also worth saving a small amount for unforeseen expenses in order to feel calm in the first days.
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, there were no major difficulties. The most challenging part was preparing the documents, but even that wasn't too complicated-the International Office
was always ready to help, and staff provided guidance whenever questions arose.Don't miss the chance to participate in exchange programs and internships. And don't be afraid, even if you're traveling alone or feel your language skills aren't perfect. It's not as hard as it may seem-people are kind and always willing to help. Dream big, keep learning, and explore the world!
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
First you need to wait for the invitation from the university. After receiving it, you can log in/create a personal account on the consulate website to fill out the application form and submit all required documents. Once your application is approved, you should print out the QR code - you'll need to bring it with you to the consulate along with your international passport and Russian domestic passport. At the consulate, you'll need to submit these documents and provide fingerprints if required. They will then give you a payment receipt. The visa will cost 2,500 rubles plus a 50 ruble commission fee. Important: When you go to the bank to pay the visa fee, remember to bring this exact amount in cash. After making the payment, you'll be able to pick up your visa exactly one week later.
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 at the host organization were quite challenging due to insufficient organizational support. No one met us at the airport, which caused difficulties with transportation and initial adjustment. Volunteers provided assistance only during the first few days, after which we had to handle all logistical and everyday matters on our own.
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: 2,550 RUB
Flight: 36,750 RUB
Bus fare: 2 CNY
Campus meal: about 200 RUB per serving
Shower: 1 CNY per 5 minutes
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?
Collecting documents is the most unpleasant part of preparation, but I managed to do it without much difficulty. I recommend that future participants of the program collect documents on time, do not postpone everything until the last day.
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
I received an invitation from a Chinese university, filled out a visa application form online, submitted documents to the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China, paid the visa fee and received a visa a week later.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
In China, almost no one knows English, so there were difficulties with communication. Since I do not speak Chinese fluently, I had to constantly use an interpreter. My tips: immediately get a Chinese SIM card upon arrival, set up Alipay/WeChat Pay, download a good translator and the Didi app for calling a taxi.
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 rubles.
Flight – 40000 rubles
The cost of the program is 77000 rubles.
Public transport fare – 2000 rubles.
Meals – 25000 rubles.
Medical insurance – 2000 rubles.
The internship left extremely positive impressions! During my year of study in China, I managed to achieve significant results: my level of Chinese language has increased significantly, especially in terms of speaking practice and understanding speech by ear. I have not only improved my academic knowledge, but also learned to communicate more freely in everyday and educational situations. Immersion in the language environment was a huge advantage: I constantly practiced Chinese with native speakers, made many friends from different countries, and also got to know the local traditions and culture better. In addition, this year I was able to explore Shanghai, its sights and the lives of the locals in more detail, which gave me a deeper understanding of China as a whole. This internship proved to be extremely useful both academically and personally. Academically, I have significantly improved my language level, and personally, I have become more independent, open to new things, and confident in communicating with people from different cultures.
What difficulties did you have during the preparation stages for the internship? What tips and recommendations can you give to future participants of the academic mobility program?
The one-year internship in China allowed not only to significantly improve the level of language proficiency, but also to gain valuable experience in overcoming various difficulties typical of a long stay in a different cultural environment. The most significant difficulties have arisen in the financial sector. Blocking a Russian bank card required a prompt search for alternative solutions. I had to study the local banking system in detail, master the procedure for opening an account in a Chinese bank and work out the mechanisms of money transfers. This experience has demonstrated the importance of preparing several financial strategies in advance. Digital adaptation presented significant difficulties. Functioning without Chinese mobile apps (Alipay, Didi, WeChat) significantly limited daily activities. The need to quickly master these services was particularly difficult, which required considerable time and patience.
Describe the visa application process. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
Preparing documents for a study visa to China was my first test before the trip. It seemed like a standard procedure, but it required an unexpected amount of attention and patience. The most difficult part was filling out the questionnaire. Each column required careful verification, from the exact spelling of the name in Latin to the correct dates. The submission of documents to the consulate was quieter, but there were some nuances. It turned out that photos must strictly comply with Chinese standards, and copies of documents must be perfectly clear. Fortunately, I clarified all the requirements in advance. Now, looking back, I understand that the main thing is to start preparing in advance and not be afraid to double—check every step. My advice to future interns is to create a checklist, make several copies of all the documents, and stay calm. Even if something goes wrong, any problem can be solved. And the excitement before applying for documents will seem ridiculous later, when you already find yourself in China!
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
The first few days after arriving in China turned out to be a real test of independence. Despite the preparation, I immediately encountered several unexpected difficulties. The main problem was the banal movement around the city. The address of the university and the dormitory seemed to be indicated in the documents, but it was difficult to find the right buildings without knowing Chinese. The taxi driver did not understand English, and navigation applications without a local SIM card worked intermittently. Solving everyday issues turned out to be no less difficult. Without a Chinese bank card, it was impossible to even pay for a subway ride or buy food in the cafeteria. And attempts to order water delivery to the hostel turned into a quest due to the language barrier. My main tips for future students:
1. Prepare a roadmap - print out the university and dormitory addresses in Chinese;
2. Open a bank account in the early days - it is impossible to connect Alipay/WeChat Pay without it;
3. Save the curator's contacts - he will help in emergency situations.
Indicate 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, travel by public transport, meals, accommodation. Your tips for cutting costs.
Basic expenses:
1. Visa costs: 2,500 rubles (the standard cost of a study visa)
2. Flight ~ 25,000 rubles. one way (it is better to book 3-4 months in advance)
3. Transfer: taxi from the airport — 100-120 yuan (~1,100-1300 rubles)
4. Accommodation: - Dormitory: - Single room: 120 yuan/night (~1,300 rubles) - Double room: 70 yuan/day (~760 rubles) - Four-bed: 40 yuan/day (~440 rubles) - Apartment rent: from 3,000 yuan/month (~33,000 rubles)
5. Meals: - Canteen: from 15 yuan/meal (~165 rubles) - Cafe/delivery: from 30 yuan (~330 rubles)
6. Transport: - Subway: 4-5 yuan/trip (~44-55 rubles) - Bus: 2-3 yuan (~22-33 rubles)
7. Medicine: insurance — 400 yuan (~4,400 rubles) for the entire period
Tips for saving money:
1. Accommodation: - Choose a double/quadruple dormitory — it is 2-3 times cheaper than a single option. - If you are planning a long internship, renting an apartment with a neighbor may be more profitable.
2. Meals: - Use the university canteen — the prices there are lower than in the cafe. - Cook by yourself: local markets offer cheap products (rice, vegetables, eggs).
3. Transportation: - Buy a transport card (for example, Shanghai Public Transportation Card) — often gives discounts. - Get around by bike (rent via Mobike/HelloBike — from 1 yuan/ride).
Bottom line: With reasonable planning, you can meet 40-50 thousand rubles / month (including accommodation, food and transport).
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 only challenges were related to paperwork. It was very difficult to get everything signed and coordinated. I recommend starting the process well in advance because you might end up not going anywhere just because someone went on vacation or wasn’t available.
Describe the process of obtaining a visa. Your advice for future participants of the academic mobility program.
Getting a visa was the easiest part. You just gather all the documents, submit them, leave, and come back a week later to pick up nothing complicated about it.
What difficulties did you encounter upon arrival at the host foreign organization? Your advice to future participants of the academic mobility program.
I didn’t have any difficulties preparing for this internship because I already had experience with similar programs. For those who are about to go, I advise you not to be afraid. I’m sure everything that seems confusing or scary now will become clear once you arrive. Plus, the woman who will supervise you in China is amazing - she always helped us out.
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.
Living on campus costs around 20,000. We ate at cafés and restaurants all the time and often grabbed drinks to go, but it was still much, much cheaper than in Russia.
Flight expenses:
- Going there: 18,000 (flight) + 6,000 (train) + 1,500 (taxi)
- Return trip: 12,000 (flight) + 8,000 (train) + 1,500 (taxi)
Based on my experience, you’ll need about 48,000 per month to live comfortably and pay for the dormitory.
