International Students Testimonials
Gao Jiayi, China
Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin
I've been living in Russia for 4 years, and I like this country more and more
My name is Gao Jiayi, I am from China. I am a fourth-year student at the Institute of Social And Political Science.
I’ve dreamt of becoming a diplomat since I was a child. To fulfil my dream, I studied English at school with great diligence. My uncle thought that I could become a great translator and advised to apply to Ural Federal University. My work will connect China and Russia; so the Russian language will help me to tell about the culture of my country.
My studies in Ekaterinburg started in 2012. I was very glad to receive the invitation from UrFU and get the opportunity to learn Russian from the very beginning, getting accustomed to the new life at the same time. It is so great to see the land of Pushkin and Tolstoy with my own eyes and also learn more about Russian traditions.
During my first year here, I studied at the Russian Language School. The classes were really interesting. I remember writing all the new words down into a special copybook – I think it’s an effective way to learn new language. Thanks to those lessons, I improved my speaking skills and today I can ask any questions to my professors and take care of all my problems. It’s real fun to study here at UrFU – we have lots of excursions around the city, and we often go to museums. We’ve learnt plenty of interesting stuff about the history of the city and we've even been to Moscow and St. Petersburg for a week. At UrFU, you can just feel the hospitality and sympathy of the Russian people.
I finished the Russian Language School with good marks and started my Bachelor course. In the end of 2013, I joined the Chinese Students’ Union; and now I am holding the position of the head of the union.
We have a very intense schedule: 17 to 21 classes a week, 13 to 15 subjects per semester. Each professor here is unique, with their own charisma. I just admire their rich teaching experience, they are really intelligent people. To my mind, it’s impossible not to enjoy studying here. My professors often encourage me to keep studying the Russian language diligently, and now I can understand about 70 per cent of what they say in a lecture.
I have lived in Russia for over 4 years now, and I like this country and this city more and more, just as I do the Russian people – they are always straightforward, friendly and sincere. I also like UrFU very much. I’m know for sure that I made the right choice to come study here!