Online meetings for UNN's new international students
Lobachevsky University's International Student Admissions and Academic Support Office in cooperation with the International Student Support Office has conducted a series of online meetings with international students who entered the UNN in 2020. As of today, 275 international students from 79 countries of the world study in the 1st year of Russian-language programs of Lobachevsky University. This year, the most popular areas of study for entrants from foreign countries were "General Medicine", "Economics" and "International Relations".
The format of zoom meetings was of particular interest to international students who could not come to Russia because of the epidemiological situation in the world due to COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign students' most frequently asked questions were about entry into Russia and the time when the borders will be opened, when they will begin their studies and in what format. Such meetings help new entrants and students, who are not able to attend classes face-to-face, to navigate in the space of the university web portal, to find out about communication channels, about their groups and class schedules.
In addition to getting answers to their questions directly related to their studies, new international students received comprehensive information on the rules of conduct and stay at the University and in the Russian Federation. Students were also informed on some important points of University regulations, on the way they should act in case of fire and in emergency situations. A special clarification was given of the provisions of Russian legislation concerning responsibility for the distribution and use of drugs. Much attention was paid, of course, to student life and the implementation of programs aimed at integrating international students into the student community of Lobachevsky University. New students were introduced to the activities of volunteer and adaptation organizations and associations.
In the course of a series of video conferences, special emphasis was made on the possibilities to get a unique new experience of studying in the international academic environment, to develop intercultural communication skills, to improve one's level of Russian, to have new career prospects after graduating from the UNN. Online meetings of this type have become an effective feedback tool for communication between international students and Lobachevsky University.
