Izzat Muhammad, Malaysia. Mechanic and Mathematics division of NSU, Theory of Probability and Mathematical Statistics
One year ago, in the early morning, our airplane landed at Tolmachevo airport. I remember very precisely the temperature of that day: minus 27 degrees Celsius. And a freezing wind was blowing. Going to Siberia was one of the most important decisions in my life. Each journey has a thousand lessons to offer, and wisdom is hidden in each one. I have learnt important values in life by watching the people living in Akademgorodok. For example, I have seen how Siberians, experiencing financial difficulties, continue to live simply and proudly, instead of falling into sadness and gloom. Unfortunately, I was not able to see this precious wisdom before. In my country, I had almost everything, but I always wanted more and never felt entirely satisfied. I have never been as happy as I am now. Of course, I have faced difficulties living here. I was not able to communicate in Russian and I was frightened by the sharp climatic fluctuations. But at some point, I realized that instead of complaining and whining every day, I should face difficulties and in some cases just accept the situation. Overall, problems have taught me to be strong and to live as an authentic Siberian. I had the common stereotypes about Russia and its people: I thought that Russians were rough and did not smile. Having now lived a year in Akademgorodok, I have learned that Russians are very cordial, kind and sympathetic. It is true that they do not smile a lot, but when they do, it is the purest and most sincere smile that you can imagine. As to the social and cultural environment, there is a huge difference between Russia and Malaysia. However, differences bring us together: we come to better understand other cultures and thus create unity in diversity. Here, in Akademgorodok, I have met my soul mate, and every day I thank God for it.
Before I enrolled at NSU, I graduated fr om the Petronas University of Technology in Malaysia, where I received education in the field of Petroleum Engineering. I believe that every university is unique. What I love most about NSU? Its proximity to nature of course. In my view, Novosibirsk State University is a place of scientific harmony and serene nature.
Shanshan Jia, People's Republic of China. Institute of Humanities, section of Philology
I would like to tell you how Russia and especially Akademgorodok have changed my attitude towards life. First, Akademgorodok has taught me to appreciate beauty. In Russia, all women consider themselves to be girls, they do not like the word "grandmother". Many times I have seen elderly women wearing colorful dresses and carefully choosing lipstick or perfume.
Some time ago, I read the book «The Dharma Bums», in which you can find a quote that I like very much: «O ever youthful, O ever weeping». I think it matches what I have said earlier. The way of life of Russian women has strongly influenced me. I have decided that I will also always behave as a young girl, appreciate beauty and the joy of life.
The second lesson I have learned in Akademgorodok is that it'll all come out in the wash. At present, this is my favorite expression. When I am facing difficulties, I say to myself: "It'll all come out in the wash. Everything will be fine". My daily problem now is my lack of vocabulary. I have an interesting book in Russian, but I cannot read it to the end because I get tired of constantly looking in the dictionary. But as Lenin said: «Study, study and study again.”
For the last few years, more and more Chinese people have been calling Russians “combative people”. You do not fear frost, you like to challenge fate. Chinese people are more practical, most of us like tranquility. If Russians are brave people, then Chinese are hardworking.
In China, it is not customary to wear a hat in winter. Perhaps you have noticed that many Chinese students here do not wear hats in winter? One day, I went to the city and while I was walking around three people asked me: "Young lady, why don’t you wear a hat?" Then, as I walked fr om the bus stop to the dormitories in Akademgorodok, an old man came up to me and helped me to put on my hat, saying that I should keep my head warm. I thanked him for his concern and went on. Sometime later, I felt my head was getting too hot in this hat so I took it off. But suddenly this same old man appeared and made me wear my hat back. Thanks to him I have learnt to wear a hat in winter.
Before I enrolled at NSU, I studied in Xinjiang University and in Beijing Foreign Studies University. Each university has its own characteristics. For instance, in Xinjiang University, they serve delicious dishes in the cafeteria, which is important and not expensive. During my first year of study there, I gained 15 kilograms, even in my dreams I was eating. In Beijing Foreign Studies University, I made a lot of wonderful friends. Many interesting events take place there and it is never boring. As for NSU, among other things, I am delighted that the air all around is very pure! When it is snowing in the forest, it all looks like a fairy tale.
The representation of Russia that I had before coming here coincides with the real Russia I see here. Internet helped a lot. However, I do not see many alcoholics that internet contents about Russia constantly talk about. Also, there are statistics showing that in Russia divorce rate is very high; but I see very often elderly couples here and you can tell they love each other very much. Thanks to them, I started to believe in love.
Jeeko Ezanati. Libya, Department of Economics of NSU, Oil and Gas management
For me, a guy coming from North African Libya and who had never felt even 0 degrees Celsius before, living in Siberia is some kind of a test. The language is also an obstacle. Nevertheless, I have noticed some progress in my understanding of Russian if I compare with the situation one year ago.
I think religious and traditional bans are the most obvious difference between Russia and Libya. These bans concern men and women. For instance, it is almost impossible to see a young Libyan woman travelling abroad alone. Couples cannot display openly their relationship. But the most shocking part is that a man can have 4 wives! Honestly, I don’t know how it is possible. I would be happy with just one.
Anyway, in Libya you can sometimes see women at the highest positions in the country, working more efficiently than men. As far as I know, Russians in general like Arabs for their good sense of humor, hospitality and interest in spiritual values. Accordingly, I have seen many Libyans and Arabs married to Russian women, and you can see many Russians living and working in Libya and other Arab countries.
The funniest incident that happened to me occurred last summer. I really wanted to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway and went to Eastern Siberia in order to visit Buryatia and see the Baikal Lake.
It seems like I was the first person from Libya with a US visa in my passport, ending up in deep Russia, and, on top of that, my name is Jihad…I was interrogated and searched by police officers in Irkutsk and in Ulan-Ude.
The first thing I visited in Ulan-Ude was the police station. My friend jokingly said that I was either a terrorist or an American spy. However, this case did not change my positive attitude to this wonderful country, as police officers were professionals in carrying out their duties. They really deserve respect.
So far I have studied in three different places: Libya, the US and Russia. I would say that studying in NSU is even more difficult than in many US universities. You can see that NSU graduates are working in top companies worldwide, which is an indicator of the quality of education they received here.
The most popular and widely known stereotypes about Russia are that it is very cold here, that Russians like vodka and that they are unfriendly. However, after my arrival in Russia, many of my opinions on the country have changed and change until now. I started to fall in love with this place! It is hard for Russians to get used to new people, especially foreigners. However, you realize they are very friendly and nice people when you get to know them closer. However this takes some time.
I have Russian friends who do not drink at all. However, as for the cold, I realized it is not a stereotype, it is reality! This place is so cold that my mom cannot believe I live wh ere the temperature sometimes falls below -30 in winter. But I really like to watch the children, adults and the elderly who are used to this weather and enjoy the winter fun.
Monalisa Nothando. Zimbabwe. NSU Institute of Medicine and Psychology, General Medicine
The first and most serious problem that I faced when I arrived in Novosibirsk was the language barrier. Not so many people here speak English, which complicates communication. The only people I could talk with were my fellow students and foreign students. But time passed, and I slowly began to learn Russian, it came naturally.
Now, after a year, I understand very well spoken Russian. The second problem that I had to face when I arrived was of course the weather. Wh ere I come from, we are surrounded by savanna and enjoy the highest temperatures. As a result, cold weather caught me by surprise. However, with the support of my Russian friends I got a lot of tips on how not to freeze. Now I am quite well adapted to winter, thanks again to NSU students.
Before coming to Russia, I was constantly hearing that everyone here drinks, so my parents begged me to be sober in this country. Also, I have almost been led to believe that racism flourishes in Russia. But I must confess that Russians are the friendliest people I have ever met. No wonder I feel at home here.
However, it is undeniable that there are a lot of differences between Russians and Zimbabweans. The most interesting thing in my country is that a man and a woman cannot hold hands or kiss in public without facing arrest. Here, couples kiss everywhere no matter if it is proper or improper. By the way this summer, as I was on holidays at home, I witnessed the arrest of a couple.
NSU is my first University and I am happy to be a part of this big family. Among university traditions, I am fascinated by the student custom to make a fire, sing, and dance all together on the brinks of the Ob Sea. I have never been as happy as I am now, because I am aware that I am getting an invaluable experience in participating to NSU life and life in Russia as a whole.
