Chinanews.com, August 27. According to the Russian "Dragon News" report, in recent years, there has been an increasing number of Chinese students studying in Russia. Many students hope that through studying abroad, they can not only improve their studies, but also have a deeper experience. The customs of Russia. The 2020 new crown pneumonia epidemic completely disrupted the plans of international students, the school changed to online teaching, and visa issues also encountered difficulties. The September school season is just around the corner. What are the new arrangements for Russian universities? What is the status of students studying in Russia?
The new semester course schedule has not been issued to international students " can only wait "
Wang Guanying is a graduate student at St. Petersburg State University. She just received her passport from the Foreign Affairs Office of the school on the 19th, and the visa extension procedures have been completed. "I asked the school's teacher in charge of arranging classes. They have not received any official notice about the next semester's class schedule. We can only wait now," she said.
There are a total of 29 Chinese students in Wang Guanying's class. Except for two in China, the rest are "waiting for the start of school" in St. Petersburg. Wang Guanying said that one of the two classmates in China went home for the Spring Festival, but in March Russia announced a "closing customs" and could not return; the other was taking a chartered flight home during the summer vacation.
Due to the inconclusive course schedule for the next semester, various "grass stories" are circulating among international students. "We heard that some schools in St. Petersburg require teachers over 65 to take classes remotely, small class discussion classes can be taught in the class normally, and large classes with multiple people must be conducted online, but these are only heard."
The same problem also plagued Chang Le, who was an undergraduate at Moscow State University. “Most of the Chinese students in the junior year of the Department of Journalism have returned to China, and only about 10 remain in Moscow. We have been contacting teachers to inquire about the resumption of classes for the next semester, but there has never been an official notice. Although there is a saying that it is currently tentatively Foreign students continue to take online classes, but because some foreign students are in Russia and some have returned to China, there is no specific arrangement."
"Go home" or "Continue waiting" This is a problem
The delay in issuing the school opening notice has left the international students in a dilemma. Whether returning to China early or staying in Russia, students have their own considerations.
"There was the first wave of returning to China at the end of March and early April, but at that time, the air tickets were getting more and more expensive. Later, everyone was worried about the infection on the way, so they continued to stay in Moscow. Until the embassy arranged a chartered flight at the end of June, most students did not Going back to China one after another.” Chang Le said that after school starts, she will be promoted to her senior year. She has only one year left in Russia. She wants to go deeper into life in Moscow in a limited time.
Speaking of her reasons for staying in St. Petersburg, Wang Guanying said that it was mainly for two reasons. On the one hand, the school's arrangements for the next semester have not been issued. She is worried that if she finally returns to the country, the school will notify the school to resume classes and have to come back again. It is too much trouble and the procedures are very inconvenient now. On the other hand, "the price of the return air ticket plus the quarantine fee is now nearly 20,000 yuan, which is too high."
Online courses have advantages and disadvantages for international students: online teaching can be accepted
Regarding how to take classes in the next semester, St. Petersburg State University has conducted a questionnaire survey, mainly focusing on the teaching quality and feelings of online classes last semester, whether you agree to continue online classes next semester and whether it will affect your studies.
Since March, St. Petersburg State University and Moscow State University have changed all courses to online courses. The course arrangements are basically the same, but there are still differences. "I feel that the amount of homework and tasks has increased significantly, and there have been more self-study courses." Chang Le said.
For Wang Guanying, it’s a headache if the teacher doesn’t post the materials in advance. “It’s a bit difficult to attend a class without previewing, especially those that are more abstract and obscure. And the on-site teaching teacher will adjust the way of teaching according to our response. Online teaching teachers can’t keep staring at the screen to observe the reactions of so many students."
Of course, online teaching also has advantages. "I found that the attendance rate of online course students has become higher, because there is no need to get up early and take the bus, which saves a lot of energy. In addition, we can clearly see the teacher's PPT for online teaching, which can be better recorded." Wang Guan Ying said happily.
Since the epidemic situation has not yet been completely stabilized, Russian experts also predict that a second round of the epidemic may occur. Therefore, international students have to consider the possibility of online courses arranged by the school. "I can accept continuing online classes. In general, there will still be a lot of time for self-study and self-allocation, and if there is a second round of epidemic, I also hope to be able to go out less." Chang Le said.
"If you take online classes next semester, I think it's okay. If the ticket price can be reduced, I will consider going back to my country for online classes." Wang Guanying said. (Spring Summer)