“Friendship Bridge” - rope courses for International Students

On September 19, 2019, at the agrobiostation of the Socio-Pedagogical Institute of the Michurinsk State Agrarian University (rector Vadim Babushkin), rope courses "Friendship Bridge" for foreign first-year students were held.

The organizers of the event were the employees of the International Department and the Center for Educational and Social Work with the support of representatives of the Student Self-Government Council and the Social and Pedagogical Institute.

The event was opened by the head of the International Department Elena Yashina and the head of the Center for Educational and Social Work Natalya Voevodskaya, who wished to the young students to succeed in their studies and implement their most ambitious ideas and projects.

In an exciting and fun game participated more than a hundred students from Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote dʻIvoire, Congo, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Students were divided into four teams: combined team “Institute of Economics and Management and the Social and Pedagogical Institute”, team “Fruit and Vegetable Institute named after I. V. Michurin”, team "Engineering Institute" and " Preparatory courses” team. The competition includes seven stations with various missions. Curators (senior students) have been allocated to each group in order to send first-year students along the given routes in time. Durring the competitions, the participants had to show patience, dexterity, savvy, creative and organizational abilities. Feeling the responsibility to other team members, everyone strove for unity and effective interaction, tried to provide comprehensive assistance and support to companions. As a result of the event, the international team of " Preparatory courses” won the contest. All students were awarded with certificates.

The day ended with the acquaintance of international students who came to study in Russia with traditional Russian cuisine. As a treat, shchi, fragrant tea with pies and pancakes was cooked for them. In turn, first year students from Central Asia cooked their own national dish - pilaf.

According to the staff of the Michurinsk SAU, such events help foreign students to adapt more quickly to the new environment, help to overcome communication barriers, rally the team and teach trust.

All participants noted, that they received a lot of bright and positive emotions and spent time with benefit.