Выбрать страницу

Feedback from our students

Petit Audrey

Sciences Po, France

«My semester in RANEPA really was an adventure. I had the opportunity to discover a new country, and especially a new city, Moscow. Thanks to the university, we were able to have really good Russian classes to learn this beautiful language!

The accommodation of the university is also a good way to meet new students from Russia and from all around the world. This was a great opportunity to discover a new culture and meet new amazing people. Russian students are the nicest people I’ve met here and are always ready to help you for whatever you need!».

Jacov Alice

University Paris Nanterre, France

Pro:

We had a nice welcome at Ranepa in general. The staff was very welcoming and the dormitories were very comfortable. We were very excited about the sport complex but due to the coronavirus I didn’t have a chance to try it myself. The campus is well located and it is very easy to go to the centre of Moscow. I had a great time at Ranepa! I really hope I can come back next year when the situation is back to normal!

Cons:

The fact that we had our schedule for the week only on the Sunday was a bit stressful because we could not plan easily our week or a week-end away.

Caito Andrea

University of Turin, Italy

«I am Andrea Caito, an Italian student from the University of Turin.

I am 22 years old and until a few weeks ago I attended the IGSU faculty at the RANEPA university in Moscow for my Extra-Erasmus experience.

Russia is considered one of the most important country in the world and for this reason I wanted to know this reality.

Its language and its culture are very interesting and i am sure that this experience can help me in the future.

When I arrived to Moscow at the beginning of February there were a lot of snow and cold. After two weeks in which I visited a lot of wonderful places in Moscow, I started my classes.

The teaching system and the academic organization are very different from the Italian one. Many events were organized during my stay by the University and the classes were composed by few people from all over the world.

The lessons were very interactive with a lot of presentation and group works.

I think that Russian language is difficult. In general, the Russian alphabet is really different from the Italian one but with the help of our teachers, watching movies and with a lot of exercises I saw my first progress.

I hope that there will be as soon as possible other opportunities to come back to Russia to improve my language and to live in this fantastic country».

Josan Sole Gallego

the University of EDEM (Valencia, Spain)

«I am Josan Sole Gallego, a Spanish student from the University of EDEM (Valencia, Spain). In September I started my exchange programme in IPACS RANEPA in Moscow. I am very thankful to Olga Pirozhenko for giving me the opportunity to come here.

Russia is the biggest country in the world which I was not familiar with before. And Moscow is the capital of a vast country. And it became interesting for me to get to know this country better.

I started my studying for a half a year and during that time I got a lot of knowledge in economy and politics, I learned the basics of Russian language and found out a lot about Russian culture, thanks to this program I was able to meet different people and learn how open and kind Russian people are, because the main myth for me was that Russians are closed.

I express huge gratitude to the international department and the Spanish centre for the first class organisation and excellent attitude to foreigners. They were always ready to help me. Special thanks to Karolina Sikirinskaya for her prompt handling of all the issues and for her excellent work.

I am delighted with the learning experience and I had a chance to see a lot of Russian cities as well. I hope to come back soon!».

Matitos Sanchez Marta

Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain

«Hi! My name is Marta, I came from Spain and I am studying a master’s degree in Foreign Regional Studies in IPACS. I consider that to study abroad it is a great opportunity to learn a new language and to do all this in this university for the high reputation related to administration studies. I have been looking up information before my arrival and I was excited to be part of an academy under the President of the Russian Federation.

For me, it is the first time studying completely in English and what is more, a master’s degree in a completely different country. I appreciate everyone very much of this university who helped me. From my coordinators Olga and Carolina who helped me any time until the new Russian colleagues I met in class. In the month that I have been here, I am overwhelmed by the human kindness of all of them.

I have met a lot of foreigners in this academy. It is a great opportunity to remember my Italian and French practicing with them. I think being involved in a multicultural environment it is the best way to tolerate each other and learn about their customs.

What is more, we have sport activities, gyms and a pool! That is great, but I prefer to spend time walking around the city, discovering the amazing parks, metro stations, museums and all the cultural activities in this huge city that never sleeps. I can go out on weekends, when I have no homework, and I like to go shopping or drink some cider in a different pub every Saturday.

I was looking forward to visiting another cities of Russia but because of the coronavirus I had to come back home. I am very grateful to the university for taking care of all of us in this situation. Always they had been very cautious and I wish all this finish son to come back to Moscow».

Paulhac Marion

University Paris Nanterre, France

«My name is Marion Paulhac, I am an exchange student from Paris, the university Paris Nanterre. I am 23 years old and I came in RANEPA in order to be part of the master Eurasian Study.

I have always loved to learn more about foreign culture, and I had been for a very long time attracted to the Russian culture and history. I already had experience learning a new language and really appreciated it so I was eager to learn Russian. When the offer to go in Russia for a semester came in, I was very excited to be part of it.

We were able to choose which courses we wanted to follow, which was a great deal, and we could also have Russian language lesson according to our level with others exchange student, a good way to meet each other. The lessons worked well, apart from the fact that the course’s hours are not fixed and can be moved to different hours from a week to another, which can bring few confusions.

Otherwise, my stay in Russia was an amazing experience. We were very well received, with coordinators in campus to help and guide us through all the administration’s issues and demands that we do not know of, allowing us a very de-stressful stay! The life in campus was also pretty good and I felt cozy at the residence with the services offered there. Too bad we were not mixed in the room with Russian students, it would have been a good way to meet one-other and be able to speak Russian all day!

Because of the coronavirus situation, most of us left Russia after a short stay. Nevertheless, we still can follow our courses thanks to the internet. I can continue to learn Russian through Skype with my teacher from RANEPA, and even though most of the student from my course are no longer in Russia, course still goes on, allowing us to keep studying the language and not loose what we have learnt. It is obviously more difficult because of the internet’s limitations (sometimes bad connection or sound), but grateful anyway to have them.

I hope to be able to go back soon, even though all the administration form (visa, passport) can be repellent and expensive, it was worth it, even for a short period! We do hope that because of the virus, the visa procedure will be maybe easier, less expensive or given for a longer period!

But going to Russia and RANEPA for studying was a great experience, and I recommend it very strongly!».

Soquet-Boissy Alexandra

Sciences Po, France

«I really liked my experience in RANEPA. I was warmly welcomed and everyone was willing to help whenever I needed it. That was very appreciated because being in a new country so far from your homeland can be a bit scary. But I felt very welcome, quickly gained confidence and enjoyed the experience. My Russian level improved a lot not only thanks to the Russian classes but also thanks to the fact of living in Russia. Both the students and the administration were very kind. The life on the campus was great because many events happened, and also it was a good way to meet both Russian and international students. So to conclude I really liked this life experience».
Verden Caroline Gisèle Marie-France

Institut Catholique de Vendée, France

«My Name is Caroline Verden, I come from France (university called ICES) and was in RANEPA from February, 8th to March, 21st. Due to Coronavirus I had to leave Russia earlier as originally planned (July, 15th) but still I had a great time in Moscow.

I’m glad that the courses I took are all keeping going through the Internet so that I can continue my semester almost normally. I regret that some courses do not correspond to the title (for example: in the class of “Foreign strategic economy of Russia” we talked about globalization, China and briefly about Russia but not at all about ‘foreign strategic economy of Russia). I would have liked to have the syllabus of courses before choosing in order to make appropriate choices. On the other hand, courses are globally interesting and well organised. There is, moreover, an important list of course sin English which is very interesting for students like me who don’t speak Russian good enough to follow classes in Russian.

On the administrative aspect, everyone is very kind, helpful and flexible to our university requirements or anything else. This makes things easier and this is very pleasant. My only regret about administration is that we didn’t have our student cards at the beginning of the semester so we could not enjoy reductions it offers before leaving.

Overall I spent a very good and joyful semester at RANEPA and would do it again if necessary for sure!».

Mora Ayuso Aida

University of Valencia, Spain

«During the months I have been studying in RANEPA I have met lots of new friends and I lived the beautiful Russian culture.

Since the end of March, due to the current situation of COVID-19, we are making the classes online in order to do not lose the course and all the work that we have made during the year. It is true that is not the same as doing the classes face-to-face, however, I am glad to say that there is not a huge difference and we are continuing with the stipulated plan thanks to the willingness of the teachers. Furthermore, our coordinators have made as much as possible in order that we continue the course without any problem.

The classes I am taking in the university are taught in English, which are making me to significantly improve the language. However, I am currently also taking Russian classes which have helped me to adapt faster and to better communicate with the native people of the country. One of my desires for the future is to improve my Russian as much as possible in order to be able to speak it fluently.

During the classes we discussed various topics, but what I like the most is that from these discussions I could take different point of views since we were mixed with students from different countries, such as France, Italy and Russia. Furthermore, we have been trained to make research and to speak in public by making several presentations each week.

Apart from the academic life, in Moscow I have made excellent international friends. I learnt to live with people from other countries and therefore with different traditions and habits.

My double degree program from the University of Valencia and RANEPA can help me to have a successful professional career and therefore a better position in the future labour market.

I hope everything will be fine soon and then I will be able to return and continue enjoying this amazing experience».

Tarby Charlotte

University Paris Nanterre, France

«I would take out this sentence:

I unfortunately stayed in Russia for only a month. Indeed, because of the waiting for the visa I came in two or three weeks late (1st of march). I then missed classes.

I had the surprise coming in that I couldn’t have a bedroom with the international student price (which is because of my teacher at home who didn’t inform us). However, all the staff in our dormitory (cleaning ladies, receptionists, guards, …) were really nice and helpful. And we didn’t have to bring anything (bedsheets, towels, plates, cutlery, …).

I was also surprised to have to go through a lot of medical check-ups (we don’t do it in France).

Unfortunately, because of my late arrival in Russia and the coronavirus situation, I didn’t go outside of Moscow which I visited as much as I could.

Pros:

  • All the staff is really nice and helpful: Carolina, dormitory staff, …
  • Russian class for beginners: we are a really small group (6) which make it easier to progress. And my teacher is patient, interesting, explains really well (and take time to do it), … Furthermore, six hours per week is a good amount of hours (and the minimum in my opinion) to successfully progress in Russian. All the exercises they give us is also part of that progress.
  • The classes are interesting, and, in the evening, which allow us either to do homework or to go visit Moscow during the day.
  • The possibility to have access to sports activities: swimming pool, gym (even if I couldn’t go because of the corona).
  • We don’t have to bring bedsheets, towels, cutlery, … Everything is already in the dormitory.

Cons:

  • We have to pay for a lot of extras: medical check-ups, passport translation, …».

 

Raventos Aido Eric

Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain

«Hello, my name is Eric Raventos Aido, I came from Spain and I have been a student in RANEPA University. I have been in RANEPA almost six months which has been almost the best experience of my life. At the beginning of the experience was difficult to adapt myself because it is a very different country with other culture but, with the help of the staff of the University was easier the adapting.

The experience is being good for a lot of things. First of all, the experience to meet new people from all part of the world and this enrich the person. It is my first time to study in English but all the people know it and what is more important, the faculty. Other very good thing is the possibilities that give you the University in reference of the Sport. Is very easy to start to do any activity that you want and with all the security and with a very good staff.

I want to do a mention to our coordinator, Carolina, because before the arrival to Moscow and the residence she has helped me and all my mates from Spain and other countries. She has made our life easier.

Moscow has been amazing and be in RANEPA campus has helped us to live very good and with any issues. It is sad for the actual situation because of Covid-19 and for this reason I could not live all the experience but I urge to all the people to enjoy the experience to live and study in RANEPA».

Sahri Zeyneb

Creteil University, France

«My name is SAHRI Zeyneb and I am a French student from Paris XII University. I am also a foreign student in RANEPA for one semester. However, the COVID-19 crisis has been interrupting my peaceful young Muscovite life. Nevertheless, I still attend online classes. I still study Russian language but also International Law, Geoeconomics or Strategy, but online.

Being a student living on the campus is an opportunity to meet students from all around the world and obviously from Russia. It is also an opportunity to survive in an original film in Russian but without subtitles. I had no clue how to pronounce the alphabet, and I was only able to say “Goodbye” not even “Hello”: not the best to start a conversation.

To improve your language skills, you definitely have to practice, there always -day and night- guards to secure the campus, the building I was living on and I felt very safe. Same for the administration: from the ladies in charge of the rent to the ladies who cleaning rooms, lifts, doors, kitchen… and watering plants or in the canteen.

The campus is surrounded by facilities, a metro station, mall, supermarkets, restaurants, bank and everything needed in this practical position. However, even though the exchange rate is at your advantage, be careful, Moscow still a capital and so expensive. Also, do not wait until you get your student card to go and visit cultural centers or museums because it could be long and you will wait a lot of time.

As an European, the most important thing you will learn (especially from international relation studies): what is living in a part of the world (Caucasus and Central Asia) completely invisible or stereotyped by the Westerners at the international scale».