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Experiences
of Participants
Many personalities from very different countries participated, from
Europe, America and Asia. Most of our students are between 20 and 35 years
old. A short collection of some stories of our students during the last year.
Karl (25) - Dresden,
Germany
As a child, I was already interested in Russia. The political situation,
the immense surface of the country and the music. Although traveling to this
country after the fall of the Soviet Union became much more easy, I never
before took the chance to visit Russia...
until i found out about the Summer Course program. This course was a
magnificent chance to get an impression about St. Petersburg, Russia,
the Russian language, and not to forget: Russians. At the same time not too bad
for my German as my fellow students were German. Well, these guys already spent
some time in Russia,
so they were excellent guides towards Russian day- and nightlife.
Lessons with my teacher Yana were
unforgettable. We had a lot of fun, and she did al she could to put the six
declensions of nouns into my head (by which she succeeded). Before these
courses I didn't know any Russian before these courses, these courses were the
best possible first steps and now I have the motivation to go on!
During my stay, I took the opportunity to visit Moscow for a weekend. It was marvellous, but
not as much as Petersburg
itself. I have fallen in love with this city. Besides, the Russian population,
although sometimes a little bit drunk, has gained my respect, and much more! I
won't feel homesick for too long... as I will return very soon!
Peter (24) - Boston,
USA
What I remember most about my stay in Russia was the metro... the
minutes of diving into the deep on the elevator, spying the other upcoming
side... marine boys, babushkas returning from the dacha, military men, the
un-aware tourist (or was I that?).
In the beginning it was a strange experience, looking at all those
Russians with an apparent angry and non-interested look... but later I realised
my face turning into one of them... being part of the mass... well, it didn't
hurt! Just feeling a touch of the other civilisation. I liked it.
Gildas (22) - Lyon, France
Coming to Russia
was one of the best decisions of my life! The language was not easy, and I
really suffered in the beginning. I took Russian language courses as a
preparation for a whole year of studying material sciences at the Petersburg
Technological Institute. Although the first months were difficult, I can claim
that within three months my Russian was at a level that I could understand the
lectures in my field in Russian language. But I mention here: I studied really
a lot.
Anyway, I am glad that I came in summer as this period definitely has
its beauty: the white nights, high temperatures and short-skirt beautiful
girls. When people hear "Russia",
they immediately think of "cold". Well, I saw the opposite (although
later in the year I experienced this "cold" as well).
The city is great. The more you understand it, the more beautiful it
gets. Summer gives warmth to the people... I'm thankful for meeting the
beautiful and interesting people I met.
Petra (29) - Budapest, Hungary
It
was my first time in St.Petersburg
and Russia. I
was here only 2 weeks. I like it very much. I visited here the Hermitage, Peter
and Paul Cathedral and fortress and other interesting places. After 2 weeks I
understood that it is too little for St.Petersburg. I’ll come here agian,
but then for 2 or 3 months.
Most of all I liked Pushkin and Russian Dacha – it was amazing and
unforgettable.
I
learned Russian in St.Petersburg. I like
it very much, but it was difficult. Before,
I learned Russian in Japan. I think
it’s better to learn
Russian in Russia,
when you always must speak Russian everywhere. I lived in a
Russian family. It also helped me in my Russian. Also I’m very
thankful to Julia and Irina and to my teachers of Russian for everything that
they have done for me and my Russian. Thank
you very much.
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