The Institute of Foreign Languages Welcomed Guests from France

The Institute of Foreign Languages of PetrSU hosted the International Russian Language and Culture Camp for students and teachers of Lycee Jean Dautet from the city of La Rochelle (France).

The International Russian Language and Culture Camp for the guests from French twin-city is held under the bilateral agreement on cooperation, signed between PetrSU and Lycee Jean Dautet in 1986.

The camp aims to provide foreign guests with an opportunity to practice the studied language and immerse themselves in the culture and history of the host country. The feature of this project implemented for 34 years is that its participants live in families of students and teachers and thus join the everyday life of the host country.

According to the agreement, every two years the Department of the German and French Languages of IFL hosts the Lycee students from La Rochelle who study the Russian language. This year the delegation from Lycee Jean Dautet was headed by the Provisor of the Lycee Elise Bertrand. The group was also accompanied by the Lycee teacher Alexandra Nantet, and the constant participant of the camp, founder of this project, Russian language teacher Jocelyne Compagnon. The teachers of the Department of the German and French Languages of the IFL Olga Veselovskaya (head of the camp) and Nadezhda Barymova have arranged an eventful program for the French guests.

During the tours to the National Museum and the Center of Military Glory of Petrozavodsk, the participants of the camp learned a lot about the past and present of our city and the Republic. The guests took particular interest in the legends, traditions, and customs of our land, participated in numerous workshops and celebrated Maslenitsa in the Kizhi Museum. The students also visited Ruskeala Mining Park. Traditionally the program of the camp features classes with Karelian Souvenir Dance Ensemble, during which under the guidance of Galina Kagacheva the French guests have rehearsed a Russian dance and presented it at the final event. Visits of French young people to Petrozavodsk are rare occurrence so the camp involved general educational organizations of the city.

Essential participants of the camp were the IFL students (programs Teacher Education, French Language, and English Language, English Language and French Language, as well as Linguistics students who specialize in Translation and Translation Studies). The students have prepared and hosted a tour around Petrozavodsk with interactive tasks and a quiz, arranged an acquaintance party at the Youth Innovation Park of PetrSU, held classes in the modern Russian language, and presented the traditions and customs of our region.

The final event was the highlight of the two-week-long camp. It united Russians and French who together sang, danced, recited poems, and it was hard to tell them apart. “We are different but we are so alike”. This phrase sums up the emotions and impressions of the participants and the audience. The French guests heartily thanked Petrozavodsk State University, the students and teachers of the Institute of Foreign Languages, host families for the eventful program, warmest welcome and the new friends that have found here.

This project has been initially developed to introduce and bring together young people from Petrozavodsk and La Rochelle. The International Language and Culture Camp is still attracting students and creating unforgettable memories.

Alexandra Gildi (2nd-year student of the program French Language and English Language):

“The two weeks spent with the French students have left the best impressions, which will cheer me up every day. The city of Petrozavodsk has become a novelty for both French and Russian. Thanks to the program created for our guests we got a fresh look on our home city with its history, culture, broad streets, colorful houses, and the plethora of opportunities, previously undiscovered by many. We had an amazing chance to practice the studied language, learn something new about the other country, culture, and life and meet new people who have become our friends.”

Varvara Skripkina (2nd-year student of the program French Language and English Language):

“I have grown edgier with each day before the arrival of the French. Yet, these two weeks have surpassed my expectations. I have made a friend of the French girl who I hosted and fell in love with all the students. The program was eventful yet we still had time and energy to arrange separate events. I was happy to see how close-knit and friendly the French turned out to be. The camp has left only the warmest memories!”

Elena Petrova (2nd-year student of the program French Language and English Language):

“The two weeks with the French students have filled our life with new emotions, events, and experience. The French guests presented us with an opportunity to see Petrozavodsk through the eyes of a tourist and make acquaintance with Karelia and its culture. Together with the students, we learned about the life of French youth, education in another country, and some interesting facts, at the same time practicing the French language. I am grateful to everyone who continues this tradition and supports the exchange with Lycee Jean Dautet and I am looking forward to meeting our new friends from La Rochelle.”

Alexandra Burianina (3rd-year student of the program English Language and French Language):

“I’ve hesitated about joining the project and hosting a French girl. My parents and I have been worried about how it would work out, yet the teachers believed in us, so we too have gained confidence. I have not regretted plunging into this Russian-French adventure. I have met amazing French students and made friends with my fellow students from the IFL. The two weeks seemed a long period for an exchange program, yet the time flew by. I hope that time will likewise fly before April 2021 when we will meet our French friends, this time in La Rochelle!”

Alesya Gurova (2nd-year student of the program French Language and English Language):

“I am grateful to the university for this opportunity. I have spent an amazing two weeks with very friendly and interesting people. At the final event, I could not believe that it was all over as I have grown fond of the French students. I hope that in two years I too will take part in this project.”