International Students Testimonials

Advantages of studying in Russia for foreign nationals — © SUSU

Uvindu Wijeweera, Sri Lanka

There were many books by Russian writers in my parents' house

I decided to study in Russia for several reasons. Firstly, a great role was played by the famous classical Russian literature. In my parents' house there were many books by Russian writers – Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Sholokhov. So my worldview was formed under the influence of Russian literature and culture. To tell the truth sometimes I feel myself like a Russian. Russia is in my heart. In addition, my father studied in Russia in the 70's, he was among the first students from Sri Lanka who came to RUDN University. Secondly, there is some similarity in the history of our countries. In Russia in 1917 there was a revolution. At that time Sri Lanka was a colony of the British Empire, revolutionary changes in Sri Lanka occurred later. By the way, at that time the USSR helped us.

Nowadays, I'm a Master student of the second year at the Institute of Social and Humanitarian Sciences of SUSU, field of study "The Political Science and Sociology". I’m going to do PhD in SUSU. I also take an active part in the work of the Association of Foreign Students. We help beginners to adapt, because many of new students know only their native language. It’s hard for them to communicate with Russians. As the representative of Sri Lanka, I am responsible for coordinating the work with the Lancian students.

Chelyabinsk as a city where I will study I chose among other cities because it is situated between Asia and Europe and combines two such different cultural traditions. Here students from different countries live together. I learn how to communicate with them, how to understand their way of thinking. This is useful for me, as in the future I plan to engage in diplomatic career. When I came to SUSU, I was placed in the dormitory number 3 where mostly foreigners live. But I wanted to learn the Russian language quickly, that’s why I asked to move to the dormitory number 2 where Russian students live. Now I have many Russian friends, and it’s great that we live together.