Our alumni's comments are given below.
Petrozavodsk is a wonderful town with interesting people. I only spent four weeks there but I`ve got experiences for life. My teachers were nice people, and good pedagogs.
The group was small and everyone got attention in class. My host mother was a very kind woman.
Erik Norberg, Sweden, Stockholm
I studied with PSU on two separate journeys to Russia. The staff, both teaching and administrative are very helpful and provide wonderful assistance for personal packages for learning and support such as accommodation. My teacher provided classes planned to satisfy my personal requirements and the administrative team helped me with accommodation, transfers and other administrative needs. I was connected with other students and through my time in Petrozavodsk I have made friendships with people from around the world that last to this day. I have no hesitation in recommending this very cost effective way to study in Russia.
Christopher Davey, Australia.
Petrozavodsk - a place that after a couple of weeks already starts feeling like home. Peaceful, and educational, and friendly. Amazing teachers (who encourage you, and comfort you, and advise you, and, in the end, are so incredibly nice to you); lovely lectures (of intensive learning, but also of giggling and singing and laughter); homework people usually pretend they have done; fun role-playing and discussions (the better the level, the more interesting and informative the discussions); asking the friendly staff about every single things that comes to your mind (“so-if the holiday’s called ‘transformation’, does that mean a carnival’s involved?”...honestly!).
Also, meeting people from all over the world who share your interest, and your passion for Russia. Watching the news and initially not getting anything, then starting (oh the joy!) to understand. Hot chocolate while discussing Chehov. Walking down and up bul. Lenina. Sitting by the fountain. The tea and the blyny. And the lake, oh, the lake - sometimes you just cannot tell where the lake ends and where the sky starts. Talking to random people just for the sake of it, and because they are friendly enough to listen to your Russian. Petrozavodsk is one of my favourite places on Earth, and I really hope to return soon!!
Maria Todorovska, Macedonia.
Everything was well organised, and I felt at home from the very first day. My apartment was comfortable, cosy and very conveniently located.
The level of teaching exceeded my wildest expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversational lessons with Lyudmila. She is an interesting and well-rounded person, so we never ran out of topics to talk about. Katya is certainly the best grammar teacher I have ever had. What I appreciated most, is the fact that she continually challenged me to do more difficult things than a thought I was capable of. This built my confidence and made me realise that my Russian is much better than I though it was My teacher here in Basel is amazed at the progress I have made in a mere 4 weeks in Petrozavodsk.
Thank you so much for your kindness and for the excellent opportunity to improve my Russian language proficiency. It was an unforgettable experience.
The staff at the university were helpful and very supportive. I appreciated the fact that they were prepared to schedule my lessons to accommodate my weekend travel arrangements.
I can recommend the University of Petrozavodsk to anyone who wishes to study Russian in Russia.
Madeleine Op't Hof, Basel, Switzerland.
Это был мой первый раз в России, и раньше я не говорила по-русски. Сейчас я говорю, понимаю и пишу немного. Я думаю, русский язык очень красивый язык. Еще мне нравятся Санкт-Петербург и Петрозаводск."
This is the first time I have been in Russia, and I had never spoken Russian before. Now I can speak, understand, and write a little. I think Russian is a very beautiful language. I like Saint-Petersburg and Petrozavodsk very much.
Frea Haker, The Netherlands.
Marina Victorovna Khazova is a very good teacher and she tried to make her lessons interesting for all of us, although especially in July our group contained five totally different people.
Brenda Kah, The Netherlands.
Петрозаводск - это маленький, красивый город на озере Онего. Здесь есть возможность поехать за город. (Купаться, рыбачить, отдыхать)
Petrozavodsk is a small beautiful city upon the Onego lake. Here it's easy to get to suburbs and swim, go fishing, and have a rest.
Jan Schmidt, Germany.
J'aurais prete de rester une semaine de plus. Un sejour de 15 jours est un peu trop court.
Elisabeth Lacomblez, France.
Летом город очень приятный, есть много кафе, молодежи, и можно гулять часто. Ваш небольшой университет очень приятный и лучше, чем большие университеты. Все было хорошо, и огромное спасибо за прием.
At summer the town is especially pleasant. There are many young people, cafes, and often one can have a walk. The small university is very nice and it is better than big universities. Everything was great and thank you very much.
Martin Aigle, France.
Thank you very much for everything. I enjoyed the program very much. I really liked the field trips to Karelian landscape and meeting all these interesting people. It was great to experience a new part of the world together with the people who live and work here. Thank you also for all this important information and the lectures in printed form. It was great to have people who were always there for our problems and helped us all the time. It was great!
Julian Geyer, Germany.
La ville de Petrozavodsk est calme et agreable pour les deplacements, le lac est un atout majeur. J' ai adore la datcha.
Elisabeth Bridet, France.
My Stay in Petrozavodsk.
I spent the most interesting winter 2003-04 studying as an exchange student at the Petrozavodsk State University. My courses and teachers were just superb, and made the Russian language truly interesting, even if demanding, as homework was not given in small quantities.
In my spare time I found several places to keep practicing my beloved aerobics - in one place I even had some of the very best aerobics that I have ever attended. I also enjoyed the closeness of nature on skiing trips on the lake and on walks in forests outside Petrozavodsk. And when there were any extra time from sports and studying I hurried to various theater spectacles which the local theaters offer, or headed for a weekend to my friends in St Petersburg - after all, the train connection between the cities is regular, convinient and cheap (!) for the Finnish student.
Mervi Halinen, University of Oulu, Finland.
I came to Petrozavodsk after I'd heard about it from a friend. It turned out to be a very wise choice to come to that place. The teaching is very good: small classes - almost like individual teaching - and highly motivated teachers, who are always prepared to help you and who do their outmost to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Besides that, in a city like Petrozavodsk, you get acquainted with the real Russia in a very relaxed way. Nice people, and most students are actually very eager to meet you.
Tuur Verdonk, the Netherlands.
Шесть недель назад я не говорила по-русски, а сейчас я могу говорить, понимать и читать по-русски немного. Раньше я думала, что русский язык красивый, сейчас я это знаю. Вы очень хорошие преподаватели, и я Вам желаю счастья и радости.
Six weeks ago I could not speak Russian at all, but now I can speak, understand and read a little. Thought before, that Russian language is beautiful. Now I know it is. You are very good teachers and I wish you luck and happiness.
Ilona van Tuinen, the Netherlands.
About the course of modern Russian literature:
The tempo is fast and it forces the student to increase the capacity of understanding the material. The course gives an insight into Russian habits, which are connected to certain circumstances, concerning society and history. It is necessary, for the understanding of the material in a more profound way, specially if the student aim to be a professional translator.
The teacher asks if there are any special desires. If there are not, the teacher does a choice of interesting, male and female authors of various ages. The course gives a very broad and good picture of Russian modern authors.
The teacher let us know how broad the modern literature is. One of many interesting facts, which is given on the course is the fact, that the Russian novel has come to an end, because of the fact that the reader today has changed and prefer short stories.
The teacher Marina Khazova is a very engaged person, who in a very interesting way, both seriously and with humor can introduce the student into the subject. The course is a complement to studies in literature, which are obligatory right up to Master of Arts at Stockholm's university.
Annika Hjelm, Sweden.
Я уже второй раз у вас занимаюсь русским языком летом. Мне очень нравится быть здесь, потому что атмосфера в университете очень спокойная и прием хороший. Уроки Марины Викторовны очень интересны (я с ней занималась индивидуально). Она выбрала для чтения интересные тексты и с самого начала могла определить, где у меня слабые места в грамматике, чтобы я этими темами занималась подробнее. За это я очень благодарна.
I've been studing Russian for the second time. I like very much to be here because the atmosthere in the universty is calm and reception is very good. Marina Viktorovna's lessons were very interesting (I had individual lessons). She chose interesting texts and from the very begining she could identify my weak points in grammar to work with it more thoroughly. I'm very greatfull for that.
A guest from Norway.
"Это был мой первый раз в России, и раньше я не говорила по-русски. Сейчас я говорю, понимаю и пишу немного. Я думаю, русский язык очень красивый язык. Еще мне нравятся Санкт-Петербург и Петрозаводск." This is the first time I have been in Russia, and I had never spoken Russian before. Now I can speak, understand, and write a little. I think Russian is a very beautiful language. I like Saint-Petersburg and Petrozavodsk very much.
Frea Haker, The Netherlands.
I spent the most interesting winter 2003-04 studying as an exchange student at the Petrozavodsk State University. My courses and teachers were just superb, and made the Russian language truly interesting, even if demanding, as homework was not given in small quantities.
In my spare time I found several places to keep practicing my beloved aerobics - in one place I even had some of the very best aerobics that I have ever attended. I also enjoyed the closeness of nature on skiing trips on the lake and on walks in forests outside Petrozavodsk. And when there were any extra time from sports and studying I hurried to various theater spectacles which the local theaters offer, or headed for a weekend to my friends in St Petersburg - after all, the train connection between the cities is regular, convinient and cheap (!) for the Finnish student.
Mervi Halinen, University of Oulu, Finland.
Petrozavodsk is a small and cheap city. People are good. Our program was good. I like our teachers.
Berat Emrah, Turkey.
A small town is much better for me than big Peter or Moscow. I like nightclubs, museums. I feel save in Petrozavodsk. I liked Kizhi and Kivach.
Johanna Rothe, Germany.
Petrozavodsk is a small and very beautiful city. I liked our teachers and our program here.
Claudio Gazzano, Italy.
The town is a good town to send students to as it quite small but has all necessary amenities. Most of the weekend excursions were good. I really enjoyed the month here and would not have changed anything.
- The University is incredibly helpful and always willing to sort out any problems. The town is a good size so was easy to travel around in. I liked it!
- I love Petrozavodsk, it was a really good trip. I want to come again.
- Town is nice and quite friendly. University is good, nice. I liked everything!
- I love Kizhi, everyone should go once in their life! It was great!!!
Students from Britain.
I liked the town because it's not too big but big enough. Also the distance to my home (Finland) is good, travelling won't be a problem. I was surprised by the lack of audio-visual devices in lectures. All the lectures were really co-operative and helpfull. I was really satisfied with my host family and living conditions in general. Language program with Marina was great! Naturally language was a problem in the beginning, but I think I adapted quite well.
Kaisa Voutilainen (Oulu, Finland).
