"I Want Not Only to Learn Russian, But Also to Learn More About Space!"

Three International Educational Summer Schools started offline at once at Samara University. 56 students from the Northwest Polytechnical University of China — one of the leading universities in the country in the field of aviation, space and marine engineering — came to Samara to participate. At Samara University, young people will study Russian language and culture for two weeks, as well as study in schools in the areas of "Aviation technology — from design theory to operation practice", "Production and testing of aircraft engines" and "Fundamentals of professional communication: Russian language and culture".

On Monday, the students were welcomed at the opening ceremony by Vice-Rector Viktoria Bolgova and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Andrey Gavrilov.

Ekaterina Blinova, head of the university's International Schools, noted that both an educational and an extensive cultural program were provided for summer school students, during which they would get acquainted with the life and traditions of the region.

"We have a good production and testing base, students will spend two days at the university's training airfield. After graduation, engineers will be able to write a scientific article and publish it. Students who came to study Russian language will complete their studies with a presentation of the project in Russian. I hope they will like the program itself and the learning process," Ekaterina Blinova said.

Hu Mengfei studied Russian online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his teacher connected from Samara. When he was deciding which Russian summer school to choose, he settled on Samara for several reasons at once. "My field of study in China is aircraft engines, so when I saw the name of the school, I decided to go to Samara, the space capital. Two fellow students live with me in a room in China, one of whom has been to Kazan and the other studied at Samara National Research University. So all the roads led me here!"

Chen Xinyu is in Russia for the first time. The girl decided to come to Samara because she learned that our city is called the space capital of Russia. "I like Russia and space. I hope that I will not only learn to speak Russian, but also learn more about missiles.”

The cultural program for Chinese students has already begun. On Sunday, they visited the embankment and Yuri Gagarin Park, tasted local cuisine. Ahead of them is a sightseeing tour of Samara, exploring the collections of three university museums, as well as walks through the Botanic Garden.

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The organizer of the international educational summer schools is the Centre for International Short-term Educational Programs of the University. The schools have been prepared on the basis of educational programs of the Institute of Aerospace Engineering (IAE), the Institute of Engine and Power Plant Engineering (IEPPE) and the Department of Russian Language and Mass Communication.

Photo: Elena Afanasyeva