The identity of rock musicians in the USSR, women in the medicine of Antiquity, Icelandic sagas and the phenomenon of identity in Perestroika era movies became topics of choice, among many, at the recent April Theses international student conference at Perm State University.
“The April Theses: A Person in Topical Tocio-Humanitarian Research” Conference took place on 2-3 April, 2021, organized by the Department of History and Archeology, the Department of Interdisciplinary Historical Research, as well as the Student Scientific Society at the Faculty of History and Political Science, PSU.
Participants from Belarus, Ukraine and Russia (Perm, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Chelyabinsk, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Kemerovo, Yaroslavl, Ufa, Smolensk, Petrozavodsk, Ivanovo) presented their reports, delivered both in Russian and English on a wide range of topics. Naturally, according to anti-COVID-19 safety measures, the Conference took place online.
“It’s felt quite pleasant to be a part of the event, largely due to the benevolent and positive atmosphere. I liked the variety of topics presented, covering a wide variety of aspects of history, politics and society. I believe such conferences to be a necessary element in young researchers’ progress,”
states Vadim Lyashenko, 3rd year student, Ukrainian State University of Railway Transport (Ukraine).
The April Theses Conference became an annual forum for students and young scientists, aimed to support the students’ research activity, providing conditions for their professional and academic progress in social sciences and humanities. Following the results of the conference, a collection of student papers is going to be published.
Seven students in International Relations, Faculty of History and Politics, Perm State University (PSU) participated the Model UN role game, which took place in the city of Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan (Russia) from 31 March till 3 April, 2021.
After the grand opening of the Kazan Model UN at the City Hall, along with other participants PSU delegates developed draft resolutions, each representing a different country (Czech Republic, India, Morocco, Nigeria, Ukraine, Vietnam), following their objectives and the Conference format.
“I had a privilege of representing India at the UN Refugee Agency. It was difficult, yet interesting as we had to get allies and unite them in a coalition. Our committee worked the longest, perhaps because both coalitions were strong. Still, towards the end of the Model, we realized that we had common goals, which led to a faster quickly adoption of the final resolution,” recollects Anna Chernova.
“Initially, I was attracted by the institution of UN – its formation, history and roles. The Model UN is a synthesis of a scientific conference and a role play, where one might get a pleasant feeling of diving into the subject of discussion and picking up new info gems. I defended the interests of Morocco on the topic “Countering the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes”.
“Due to the trip to Kazan, I realized I must definitely see what my future colleagues, those students from other universities are doing and studying. They did amaze me with their knowledge of international relations and international law, as well as their ability to perfectly present their subject. That gave me new insights and ideas for future career development,” admits Ekaterina Mekhonoshina.
“As a delegate of Vietnam, I experienced all the challenge of those countries who do not have the right to critically influence the final decisions by the committee. In order to convince the Security Council that Vietnam’s interests have much in common with their own, I used each opportunity to lobby it through public appearances, official debates and even coffee breaks,”Kirill Aleksandrov recalls.
“Thanks to my participation in the UN Model in Kazan, not did I only feel like a true politician and diplomat, but also developed my skills of public speaking. I had the opportunity to stand for Nicaragua, and was given a week to study its all possible aspects – geographical, economic, political, social, cultural, etc. At the end, we were given certificates for participation,” shares Marina Zhuravleva.
“In addition to students in political science, I managed to acquire a huge number of new acquaintances among lawyers, culturologists and political scientists. It was pleasant to conduct a dialogue with almost everyone, including foreign participants. The Kazan Model UN gave me a new understanding of the world and the society in which I live, including the neighboring republic of Tatarstan,” says Gleb Oborin.
For four days, PSU students acted as diplomatic representatives of UN member countries to resolve issues of concern to global community. At the end of the Conference, along other participants, PSU delegates voted on written policies, known as “draft resolutions”, with the goal of passing them with a majority vote. As a result, Model UN certificates will serve a great reminder and inspiration, for many.
At the present moment, more than 3.500 international students study in Perm and Perm region. Not only do they come here to study, but also learn Russian culture, in person.
Duan Jingzhi, a PSU student from China spoke to local news agency progorod59.ru about his life in Perm, Russian people, attitude to rallies, the pandemic and much more. Duan Jingzhi is 25 years old, he comes from the Chinese province of Shandong, located close to the Yellow Sea.
How did you find yourself in Russia? I have been living and studying in Russia for 4 years. My home university in China cooperates with Perm State University, so I naturally headed to Perm. Back then, I studied Russian for several years and decided to come here to continue. It was difficult to get in, since there were many who felt the same way, and everyone was taking an exam in the Russian language, similar to your Unified State Exam. I passed it successfully, and here I am.
By the way, in Russia it is much easier to get a diploma or enroll in a master’s program than in China.
For my bachelor’s degree, I studied philology and Russian literature. Now I am studying Sociolinguistics and Intercultural Communication for my master’s here, at the Faculty of Philology, PSU.
I also run private lessons in Chinese, for children. So far, I teach 6 students.
Communication When I arrived in Perm, it turned out, I did not know Russian quite well. Luckily, I met some Chinese friends here, they helped and explained me a lot. I didn’t see any problem with shopping or using the public transport. Yet, using taxi appeared a challenge. I mean, when the driver fails to find me and gives me a call, it is difficult for me to explain where I am, or where to go.
Studying the Russian Language I believe my level of Russian is not quite high enough. In speech, I find stresses extremely hard. Also, you have so many grammar rules, that I can’t remember them all. And, I’m not talking about grammar cases, yet…
I try to understand proverbs, or phraseological units. Still, I can’t comprehend them all, so hard is to grasp their meaning. Of the most difficult words, on the verge of my pronunciation, I can say ‘dostoprimechatelnost’ (sightseeing attraction). Whenever I hear any technical terms, from the professional vocabulary, I can’t pronounce them either.
I really like Russian poetry, we study it a lot in China. It does contain plentiful meanings, and they sound great, too. I love Pushkin and Lermontov.
I know Russian ‘mat’, obscenities, but I don’t use it. I don’t teach my friends in China such words, but they learn it from the Russian TV shows. There’s almost as much swearing in Chinese as in Russian. A funny fact, the Russian word ‘tipa’ (likely) sounds like a male genital organ in Chinese, in its obscene meaning.
“My Name is Ivan” Yeah, that’s true, my name is Vanya, or Ivan. Since my home university cooperates with PSU, Perm teachers visit us often. Once, one of them brought a list of popular Russian names, during the class – like Andrey, Dima, Kostya, Vanya and so on. I chose mine, as it seemed to me the most simple one, and when I arrived to Russia, I introduced myself to everyone as Ivan. And, my girlfriend Yanhau took the name Margarita.
On Chinese Food and Local Cuisine I cook only Chinese food – I’m not used to Russian cuisine, the spices are not the same. Although, I can occasionally eat borsch or bliny (pancakes).
There is no shop or market of Chinese food in Perm, so you have to order it from the nearest region, the city of Yekaterinburg. It is tiresome, at some point. I also go to Chinese restaurants. Before the pandemic, there were several good ones here, but now there is only one. It used to hire a chef from China, and the food was decent. Now that he has quitted, their Chinese food is getting a Russian flavor. I also often go to fast food, for some reason it tastes better in Russia than in China.
Relations with Russians I have a very good attitude to the Perm people. I was once in Moscow, and I didn’t really like the people there. People are more kind and neat here. For 4 years, I have made two really good friends among Russians. We often see each other and play football together.
About Russian Traditions There is a huge number of traditions both in Russia and in China. I do respect them, though I don’t understand most of them. I consider dipping into an ice-hole for Epiphany an extreme adventure. I can’t imagine how people go through this, especially children. I know about Shrovetide, Easter, Christmas, but I never celebrate these holidays. In general, I am an atheist, like most people in China.
Life in Perm is More Expensive than in China Here, I live in a rented one-room apartment. I pay RUB 13,000 ($170) per month plus RUB 3,000 ($40) for housing and communal services. In China, there are practically no such small apartments, mostly all of 80 sq.m (860 sq.ft). I would still pay less for the same back home, approximately around CNY 1,300 somewhere (RUB 14,690, $200).
Food is also more expensive here than in China. I am especially impressed by the prices of fruits and vegetables, as they are much cheaper in China. Rice and noodles are also expensive in Perm. In China, I would definitely spend less money on food. The ticket prices on local transportation are more than two times higher here. In China, all transport is state-owned and the fare is only CNY 1.
Travels Apart from Perm, I had a chance to visit Moscow and Yekaterinburg, only. In Moscow – I didn’t like it. Too much fuss, noise and Chinese people, too. We were lucky to see a real Russian village, it is incredibly beautiful there, of course. There are few places like this. Very calm, and I like that.
I also want to visit St. Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi, and the Crimea, I guess.
On Having a Rest We love to get together with our Chinese friends. Sometimes we drink alcohol. I tried Russian vodka. By the way, it is way less strong than the Chinese one. For some reason, in Russia they like to add alcohol into soft drinks, like juice or cola, while in China we drink it without any additives.
Trips Home I have not been to China for 2 years, already. Now, to fly there, you need much more money than before the pandemic. The ticket costs RUB 13,500 ($170). Moreover, upon arrival you need to go for a two-week quarantine at the hotel; it’s a self-paid booking, and the daily cost goes up to CYN 500-700 (RUB 5650-7910, $75-105).
When I go home, my friends and relatives usually ask me to bring cigarettes or alcohol from Russia, just because they want to try it. I also bring cosmetics and make-up there, because they are much more expensive in China, so I sell them there.
Stereotypes I know that people all over the world find it difficult to ‘get’ us, they say that we are all alike. In Perm, for some reason they confuse me with Koreans, it makes me laugh. So, take it back: you, too, look the same for us.
In Russia, I first heard about the misconception of Chinese people having mostly a small foot size. I don’t know the exact statistics, but me, for example, I have a 42nd (43,5 European, 11 US), I believe this is normal.
In China, we also have stereotypes about Russians. For example, we call you “lau mause” – an old hairy man. Because we think you have a lot of body hair and your eyes look tired and old. And, of course, there is a stereotype that all Russians are always drunk.
About Pandemic All people in the world think that the coronavirus came from China. I don’t think this is yet accurate. I am looking forward for truthful and accurate information, a decent investigation of the case. Not sure if it all started in China. Somewhere in the news, I saw that in France the COVID-19 appeared first.
About Russian Politics Recently, rallies were held in Perm, as well as throughout Russia. I don’t really understand why people go to them. It seems to me that this way they will achieve nothing. It’s not good for people. In general, I have a negative attitude to this, and I believe that this is all an American conspiracy.
Plans I have six months left to study at my masters course, and I still want to go for a post-graduate study, continuing with my Russian. It will take another 3 years. Then I plan to return to China and teach Russian at the university.
The presentation of personnel training in photonics and its application in Russian universities has taken place at the Photonics-2021 exhibition (Moscow, Russia). Perm State University (PSU) PSU shared its experience of work-based learning (WBL) based on interests of industrial partners.
During the presentation, Natalya Dobrynina, Head of the International Academic Cooperation Department, PSU, spoke about the requirements for creating programs based on WBL methods, regarding those challenges its developers have to overcome.
“In our presentation, we intended to demonstrate the benefits of implementing a work-based learning approach taking into account the needs of the employer, university and student. We believe the experience of WBL components in education should be based on successful European practices. The latter have been presented by our partners from Austria, Latvia and Lithuania at the start of the international FlexWBL project. For us, it has been important to get feedback from our industrial partners and partner universities all over Russia,”
Natalya Dobrynina shared.
The Photonics-2021 exhibition took place in Moscow from 30 March to 2 April. The exhibition presented all the trends of modern market in lasers and optoelectronics. The international FlexWBL project is aimed at developing an innovative, practice-oriented training system, with an emphasis on the labor market and interaction with enterprises from different sectors of the economy.
The scholarship program offer by the Romanian state, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is based on G.D. 288/1993, for the academic year 2021 – 2022. The scholarships are offered to foreign citizens from non-EU countries for bachelor, master and doctorate. Please, see the information and registration forms here.
The training takes place in Romanian. If necessary, an opportunity to take a preparatory course in the language will be provided.
The Center of Foreign Culture launched by young PSU activists welcomes international students of Perm and Perm region, as well as all those interested in cross-cultural communication and learning, eager to participate in collaborations and projects. Joining the Center’s team will allow one try his/her skills as an SMM specialist, videographer, volunteer or event manager.
Today, the team of the Center for Foreign Culture includes eight students from various faculties of Perm State University. The Center activists have become recent guests at the International Talk Broadcast on Radio PSU; they volunteered at the Velikaya Perm – 2021 All-Russian Football Tournament, attended the Navruz holiday and filmed a story about it.
“The plans of the Center of Foreign Culture include working on their YouTube channel, participating local outreach events, writing grants, establishing links with universities in other countries,”
says Meylis Tuvakov, head and leader of the Center, a second year undergraduate, Faculty of Economics, PSU.
The Center of Foreign Culture has been created in February 2021 as a part of the PSU Student Media Center. Using the Center capacities, students may fulfil their academic creative and athletic potential, also complementing to the organization’s activities are aimed at helping foreigners adapt to a new mentality. To join the Center team, please contact Meylis Tuvakov at meylistuwakaw@gmail.com.
Do you want to tell us about our country? Or, bring tourists to your home place? May be, interested in travelling around the world? Joining PSU Department of Tourism allows undergraduates and University guests to meet dedicated travelers and practicing experts, in person!
“For the last few years, I have been organizing custom travel tours, both group and individual ones,” says Daniil Egorov. – After living in Africa, I started increasingly associating myself with this wonderful continent – for now, it has become a place to work and meet friends, as well as see new and good old familiar places! No surprise, most of my tours are following this lifestyle.
Daniil Yegorov’s interest in travel is not limited to the African continent: “There are plenty of beautiful places across the Caucasus, Siberia and the Middle East of Russia, which I enjoy and would love to bring people there, showing the beauty of our planet,” admits Daniel – his strive being sincerely shared by the Student Scientific Society at the Department of Tourism, PSU.
“Studying tourism at Perm State University has always been practice-oriented. Meetings with practicing experts are important for our students as they will join the market after their graduation. Addressing the topic of customized tours is getting more relevant at overcoming the negative COVID-19 impact on the tourist industry,”
admits Azat Safaryan, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, PSU.
The Faculty of Geography at Perm State University is known for its long teaching tradition. It also performs as one of the leading national and international centers of geosciences. The Faculty students perform internships all across Russia, including large governmental companies, industrial enterprises, reserves and national parks, academic and educational institutions, government bodies.
Among the Faculty partners are universities and research centers of Finland, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, UK and USA. The Faculty graduates become specialists in physical, economic and social geography, cartography and geo-informatics, tourism and socio-cultural service, hydrometeorology and environmental management.
Got artistic skills, full of ideas, fancy design? Want to be a part of an international educational project? Interested in both European and Asian partners?
Perm State University announces a Contest on the logo development for the international project Erasmus+ ARTEST!
International Erasmus+ project “ARTEST: Enhancing education programmes in Arts and Humanities via European STEM methods and tools” invites students, teaching staff and employees of the Consortium* to participate in the contest on the project’s logo development.
The goal of the Contest is to develop a logo for the international project ARTEST.
Terms and conditions of participation:
Logos are accepted in .png format with a size of no more than 300 pixels (8 cm) on a side. In addition, authors can send a logo in vector format, keeping all used fonts in curves.
A logo should reflect the following project idea:
The ARTEST project aims to rethink education in humanities in Russia and Mongolia in line with EU standards, research and practices to catch up with the latest trends of the labour market and reinforce education in humanities by adopting digital methods of research and education. The geography of the project connects Europe and Asia, covering countries from Germany to Mongolia. Also, the project connects historical cultural heritage and the latest digital technologies. More information could be found here.
A completed application and a statement of consent to the processing of personal data (Appendices No. 1 and No. 3) with the attachment of the logo in electronic form should be sent to the e-mail address fwlperm@gmail.com. In the subject line, “ARTEST Contest” should be indicated.
Logos are accepted from April, 1 to April 25, 2021.
More detailed information on the terms and conditions of participation could be found in the Regulations (Please, see PDF document attached).
For additional information and questions, feel free to contact the Contest organizers: Dobrynina Natalia, Vetrova Kristina, Peisakhovich Anna – fwlperm@gmail.com. In the message subject line, please indicate the “ARTEST question”.
Nine students from Perm State University (PSU) have been announced as winners and distinguished participants of the Regional Translation Competition 2020-2021, launched by the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, PSU.
In total, 409 translations from 337 participants from 54 schools and lyceums, 4 secondary schools and 5 universities of Perm and Perm Territory have been registered for the competition. Other national participants included Primorsky Territory, Karelia, Udmurtia, Khabarovsk and Saratov Territories.
In 2021, the Competition marked the 25th anniversary of Perm-Oxford twin sister relations. The tasks for the contest had been handpicked by Ms. Karen Hewitt, Professor at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, a holder of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for establishing academic and cultural links with Russia.
Besides students in Languages and Literature, participants from non-linguistic faculties (to name Geology, Chemistry, Geography, Mechanics and Mathematics), as well as schoolchildren were challenged by modern English authors, previously not translated into Russian: “The Day You Lost Her” by Julia Darling, “Reach” by Rachel Seiffert, “Headlong” by Michael Frayn.
“Thanks to competitions alike, our students and schoolchildren are capable to reveal their creative and translation potential. In addition, the competition helps to better understand contemporary British reality and promote the image of the University as an active participant in the public life of the region,”
notes Svetlana Polyakova, Competition organizer, Associate Professor at the Department of Linguodidactics and the Department of English Language and Intercultural Communication, Perm English Language Teachers’ Association (PELTA).
To remind, Perm-Oxford twin cities relationship started with university exchange as early as 1989. For years, PSU has been hosting numerous delegations from Oxford. Today, Perm State University confidently competes with leading Russian and world universities, providing a variety of English language-related courses and exchange visits, with an assistance by Oxford colleagues. In 2019, the Oxford University has granted PSU the Gold Standard Internship Host sign.
By the order of the Government of the Russian Federation, foreign students are allowed to return to Russia to continue their studies. The order of entry of students from abroad is developed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Foreign citizens will be able to enter Russia for studying only from those countries that are recommended by Rospotrebnadzor as countries with a safe epidemiological situation.
If you have any questions regarding your move to Russia contact: int_dpt@psu.ru
