PetrSU Students Shared Impressions about Academic Mobility Program in China
Lidia Tarazanova and Maria Danilova, third-year students of the Institute of Philology at Petrozavodsk State University (Linguistics major, Russian as a Foreign Language, Chinese Language major), successfully completed the academic mobility program at Xi'an International University. They praise the highly organized educational process, the university's modern infrastructure, and the friendly atmosphere. In addition to studying, the students were able to travel, learn about traditions, and make friends from different countries.
Lidia Tarazanova:
“Many students at Petrozavodsk State University studying in Russian as a Foreign Language, Chinese Language major dream of an internship in China even before they apply. However, Petrozavodsk State University is not just a place for dreams, but a place for real opportunities.
In April 2025, thanks to the Academic Mobility Department, I learned about the exchange program at Xi'an International University. I immediately informed Irina Sergeyevna Myadel of my intention to apply, and from that moment on, my nine-month journey began.
Just a month later, I learned that I had passed the external selection process. My dream was so close that I couldn't believe it was happening.
Then came the most difficult part—gathering the necessary documents. However, all my efforts were worth it.
In September 2025, I flew to China. And on September 7, our plane landed in Xi'an. Volunteers from Xi'an International University were waiting for us in the arrivals area.
We were given a room with a lake view. The hotel had everything for a comfortable stay: a gym, a kitchen, a restaurant, and study areas. The university campus impressed us with its well-designed and compact layout: academic buildings, cafeterias, copy centers, shops, a library, and a park—everything was within walking distance.
As it turned out, the climate in Xi'an is very comfortable: warm autumns and mild winters, although that year the weather did surprise us with a month-long cyclone of rain, the likes of which hadn't happened in over half a century.
At the university, we were warmly welcomed by the professors, who later became not only our mentors but also true friends, whom we could always turn to for help.
At first, studying wasn't easy; we went to class and mastered a large amount of material for independent work. The professors strived not only to impart knowledge but also to create a truly friendly atmosphere in class. Classes at Xi'an International University aren't just about grammar, listening, and speaking. They are a space for words of support and understanding, sweet surprises, and selfless help.
Our group included six people from all over the world. During classes, the teacher made time for everyone, and the students became a close-knit team, always ready to help their 同桌 (deskmate).
In our free time, we not only visited Xi'an's sights but also attended theater performances and student concerts, and actively participated in events such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, tea ceremonies, calligraphy lessons, a tie-dye workshop, a choral competition, and extracurricular excursions.
The four months of study flew by, but they were the most unforgettable of my life.
I want to thank Petrozavodsk State University not only for the opportunity and comprehensive support, but also express my special appreciation for the opportunity to study among like-minded people.
Maria Danilova has been by my side throughout this entire journey. We both achieved certain successes during our studies at Xi'an International University, but this review is not about those successes. It's about the people who once believed in me, and I'm grateful to PetrSU for helping me justify their faith.
Maria Danilova:
“They say that to understand a language, you need to understand the culture behind it. My four-month internship at Xi'an International University was the smooth and natural immersion that provides this understanding.
The atmosphere at the university is probably the first thing I'd like to highlight. It was very friendly, largely thanks to the wonderful teachers. They were patient and always found time to re-explain difficult points, help with everyday issues, and simply offer support. Thanks to them, I learned many cultural and historical details, as well as etiquette nuances, which helped me settle in. Even after graduation, if I have questions, the teachers are always willing to answer and offer helpful advice.
And the studies certainly paid off. Constant language practice, both in and out of the classroom, helped transform Chinese from a "subject" into a means of everyday communication. This allowed me to make new friends, learn a lot, and feel comfortable in my new environment.
But the university's cultural program was no less valuable. I had the opportunity to attend calligraphy and tea art classes, various master classes, music concerts, and even participate in a choir competition, where we sang alongside Chinese students.
And, of course, it was wonderful to live in Xi'an—a city with such an incredible history. In our free time, we walked around, saw the sights, and simply soaked in the special atmosphere. I also got to go to Beijing and finally see the Great Wall of China, a dream of mine.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Petrozavodsk State University for the opportunity to study in Xi'an. This semester was an excellent internship that not only helped me improve my Chinese but also meet amazing people from all over the world, gain an insight into culture, and gain invaluable life experience. Xi'an International University creates wonderful conditions for such immersion, and I highly recommend it to Petrozavodsk State University students.
The staff of the Academic Mobility Department at PetrSU noted:
“The Academic Mobility Department thanks Lidiya and Maria for their feedback and such vibrant photos! We wish them continued confidence in improving their language skills and immersing themselves in the culture—may learning remain an inspiring process, and the results be rewarding.
