Training seminar for student self-government leaders held at Zarya Student Camp

A training seminar for student self-government leaders from among international students of Lobachevsky University was held at the Zarya Student Camp. It was attended by more than 40 student activists from 20 countries: Congo, South Africa, Serbia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, India, Algeria, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Iran, Guinea, Tanzania, Palestine.

The seminar’s packed three-day program included theoretical and practical classes, presentations on the activities of Lobachevsky University’s International Club of Students (ICS) and the volunteer movement of foreign students. The participants also learned about the opportunities for self-realization within the framework of the programme of social initiatives “I Care - I Can”. There were also question-and-answer sessions, a meeting with a representative of the UNN Department of Youth Policy, master classes on PR promotion, intellectual and sports games.

Alexander Bedny, UNN Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Networking, met with the students during the event.

“It is very important that you all have gathered here, that you rank yourselves among active and thinking students. Thanks to this, you make your life, the life of your fellow students and the university as a whole more interesting and diverse.  You get the experience that will be of great use to you later in your life. Of course, your thoughts, your ideas, your emotions - they are very different, just like all of us, but each of us, being so different and unique, dreams about one thing - about peace, about joy, about friendship, about love. I wish you that such meetings, filled with fruitful communication, take place as often as possible, so that the dialog is never interrupted,” said Alexander Bedny.

He also pointed out that in 2025, the university will mark 20 years since the start of admission of international students.

The UNN International Students Support Office implements a unique system for working with young people who come from other countries to study at the university. Programmes of social initiatives help new students to adapt faster to new life conditions after they come to Russia. On the other hand, such programmes also offer Russian citizens opportunities to get acquainted with representatives of other countries, while developing the culture of communication with foreigners. Various events such as the seminar at the Zarya Camp have provided an impetus for many international students to become more active in non-academic activities.

Elena Chumankina, UNN Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Educational Work, came to the student camp to greet international student activists.

“We cannot give you a substitute for your homeland; everyone has only one homeland. But we can create a home for you - a cozy and warm home for the large university family of which you are a part. At any time of the year you will be warm, cozy and safe in this home.  And our Zarya Camp, where you are spending these several autumn days, is a home space of friendship, communication, and understanding.”

Seminar  participants also shared their impressions.

“Last year, we had a great time and discussed important topics such as how to work with new students and how to support them and make them feel comfortable. I decided to come again this year because I want to meet new students and participate in more activities. Defining plans for the new academic year is also on the agenda,” said Neran Sancis Cyrus Akabokoye (Republic of Congo), a first-year master's student at the UNN Institute of International Relations and World History.

Mohamed Ahmed Abdelmobdey Ahmed  (Egypt), a sixth-year student of the UNN Institute of Clinical Medicine, said that he attended such a seminar for the first time at the Zarya Camp in 2023:

“A year ago we came here for the first time, got acquainted, made new friends, had an interesting time together. We learned how student self-government works. This year I decided to go to have a good time and get some new pleasant memories. We want to pass on the experience to the freshmen students and help them with adaptation”.

At the end of the event, the participants summed up the results and planned their work for the new academic year.

“Building relationships and creating conditions for direct communication is very important in the system of social work with international students, as it creates the basis for a swift and smooth integration into the international community of Lobachevsky University. Seminars and trainings on the basics of student self-governance make a great contribution to raising self-esteem and eliminating complexes that may arise due to insufficient language skills or lack of skills in building relationships with representatives of different cultures”, said Dmitry Medvedev, Head of the UNN International Students Support Office, who also heads the program of social initiatives of international students “I Care - I Can“.