International Students Testimonials

Advantages of studying in Russia for foreign nationals — © FEFU

Francy Natalia Gómez Arce, Columbia

I have adopted some local traditions, for example I really fell in love with borshch

When I first arrived in 2014, there were not so many international students among FEFU students and I was almost the only girl from Colombia. Now there are a lot of my compatriots: in recent years it is very popular among Colombians to get higher education in Russia. Although I did not visit other Russian cities, I'm very glad that I came to Vladivostok. I remember how together with my mother we examined the photos of universities and decided that FEFU is a modern university that will be a worthy choice. Then I only knew that it was somewhere very far away. The rest of our ideas about Russia were associated with the times of the USSR for some reason, and I did not know what was waiting for me. It turned out that people in Russia are open and friendly, and even without knowing English, they always sincerely try to help.

Now I have a lot of Russian friends. By the way, I have adopted some local traditions. For example, I always take off my shoes at home, although usually we don't. I got used to eating a lot of sweets and stopped putting sugar in my tea, and I really fell in love with borshch! I first tried it here in the student dining hall. I studied Russian at the FEFU preparatory department for the first eight months. It was hard for me, but our teachers were always accommodating and tried to help. Various events were arranged for quick adaptation and immersion in the language environment. And now, in the third year of study, I am happy to participate in international events. So, besides lectures, we have a colorful and scenic student life here! I am a future linguist, I am studying English and Chinese at FEFU. I really love children and, probably, I will work as a teacher when I return to my country.