For the first time, a citizen of another state graduated from the Omsk Pedagogical in 1937. Since then, many such students have studied at our university. OSPU has always been open for international cooperation, for example, in 2015 a specialty for foreign students was founded here, and in 2020 a preparatory department for them.
Most recently, the university hosted a professional development course ‘English Language Teaching Methods for Foreign Teachers and College Teachers’, which was attended by teachers from CIS countries. Such projects are very important because they develop mutually beneficial co-operation, exchange of experience and promotion of Russian education abroad.
The training was conducted online from 26 March to 15 April and consisted of three modules: development and use of tests as a modern method of assessing learning outcomes, use of information and communication technologies in English language teaching, modern technologies of English language teaching.
Foreign citizens have the opportunity to participate in Omsk State Pedagogical University's educational programmes not only in the online format. It is possible to come to the university for full-time study. Thus, under the academic mobility programme, our students go on language and research internships, semester and year-long studies in foreign universities, while students of partner universities come to Omsk Pedagogical University to study. This year three students from neighbouring countries are studying at the Faculty of History, Philosophy and Law, as well as at the Faculty of Foreign Languages. We talked to them and found out how they were welcomed by Omsk Pedagogical University, what expectations they have from their studies here, and hhow their families felt about the trip.
Alexander Tuezov, an exchange student of the Faculty of History, Philosophy and Law.
Why did you choose Omsk?
I am from Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Our university has an academic mobility programme, we exchange students between countries. I was given the opportunity to go to Omsk to study.
What are your first impressions of Omsk? How were you greeted? What have you already seen?
It was my first time in Omsk and in Russia in general. My first impression was that I liked it. Omsk is an old city with its own history, I had already had time to see its historic Lenin Street, I was also interested in the centre and, of course, the Drama Theatre. At the university they met me perfectly, everything was prepared. I moved into a dormitory, life with my neighbours is great: very friendly people, we quickly got to know each other and now we play board games in the evenings, that is, life is boiling.
Tell us about your studies at Omsk State Pedagogical University.
It is not difficult to study here. At my university, it turns out, we have already gone through some topics, so here I'm kind of starting to repeat them. At the moment I like the subjects ‘Constitutional Law of Foreign Countries’ and ‘Civil Procedure Law’. What is more interesting is the way they teach. The lecturers teach in more detail, explain with expression and to the point.
How was the decision to go to study in another country made? How was it treated at home?
The reaction at home was normal, my mum was happy, because I had wanted to go to Omsk since 11th grade. However, the coronavirus started then, so after graduation I could not come here due to the closure of the borders. I finished college and again wanted to come here, but as the borders were closed again, I could not go again and went to law school. There was an offer to go, and I accepted it.
What do you expect from your studies? What would you like to learn?
I would like to gain more knowledge here because in the future I want to travel and I will need to know my rights and protect them in each country.
The exchange students of the faculty of foreign languages Amanova Aselkan and Turusbek kyzy Ayana from Osh city, Kyrgyz-Uzbek International University named after Batyraly Sydykov.
Why did you decide to study at Omsk State Pedagogical University?
Ayana: Because there are strong foreign language teachers and a great variety of interesting disciplines. I wanted to study the course ‘Practical English Speaking and Writing’. I also like psychology very much, because we had an internship in this subject, worked with children, it was very interesting for us. We went to gymnasium No. 75, the children are great.
Aselkan: The purpose of my enrolment in this university is the Russian language: I want to speak it fluently, see the culture and broaden my horizons. Of course, pedagogy and the desire to work with children influenced me.
What are your first impressions of Omsk? How were you greeted? What have you already seen?
Ayana: It was our first time in Russia and Omsk. We were very well welcomed, people are very kind and helpful, they will always come to help and advise us. We live in a hostel. The neighbours are good. There are a lot of joint events in the hostel, in which we try to take part. Omsk is fascinating: there are a lot of beautiful historical buildings here. We want to visit the theatre and the museum.
Tell us about your studies. Is there perhaps something that surprises you about the educational process?
Together: There is no strong difference in the educational process, the disciplines are the same. We like ‘Country Studies’, ‘Practical English Speaking and Writing’.
How was the decision to go to study in another country made? How was it treated at home?
Ayana: It was interesting for us to see another country, to visit it. At home I was immediately allowed to go because my family wanted me to see a different culture and mentality. The mentality here is absolutely different, that's why my parents easily allowed me to go.
Aselkan: My parents did not immediately allow it, they said that I did not know Russian well. I said that I would do my best and learn Russian. In general, they are very worried.
What do you expect from your studies at Omsk State Pedagogical University?
Ayana: The knowledge I have learnt will be useful. I even thought about transferring and staying at Omsk State Pedagogical University because I liked it so much.
Aselkan: I would also like to study a foreign language at the Master's programme here.
Would you recommend your classmates from your home university to study here at Omsk Pedagogical University?
Together: Of course, definitely yes! There were a lot of people who wanted to go on the academic mobility programme, but we were lucky enough to get here.
