₦airaland Forum

Studying abroad is not an easy thing. There is a big difference between a couple of weeks on vacation abroad and a long stay in a foreign country. We asked our students to tell their stories about their study at the Preparatory Course (the Preparatory Course prepares international students for a degree program within one year, it helps to ensure that they can complete their future studies successfully and without delay; as the language of instruction at USTU is Russian only, so the main goal of the course is to teach international students speak, read, write and understand the Russian language).

Aanuoluwa Rebecca Alaba, Nigeria

When Rebecca graduated from high school, she knew for sure that she wanted to see the world, meet new people and the culture of other countries. Thanks to the recommendations, she found the information for the international students about studying at USTU. The support of her mom helped Rebecca in her decision.

Having arrived in Moscow, Rebecca was shocked by the huge number of people in the capital. Many of those whom she addressed simply did not know what Ukhta is and where it is situated. All the same, she met a kind stranger who helped her with all organizational issues.

New difficulties appeared in Ukhta. One of the most unpleasant problems was getting used to local food, still she did not like borsch (traditional Russian soup). Weather - cold and lack of sun - also depressed the southern guest. But the most difficult problem was parting with the family: she felt especially alone on holidays, which were fun and noisy at home.

Despite all the difficulties, thanks to the support of the family and her own determination, Rebecca can be proud of the successful completion of the preparatory department and a good mark for the Russian exam. She notes that the past year taught her to be more open and friendly.

Rebecca speaks warmly about her Russian language teacher Nadezhda Svirchevskaya, noting that the teacher’s humor, her patience and her desire to make the Russian language understandable, helped a lot in learning.

Now a graduate, Rebecca is ready to give advice to future applicants:

"Meet different people"
"Communicate more"
"Attend classes no matter what happens"
"Bring as many warm clothes with you as possible!"
What movie to watch in a cold evening: « Jumping the Broom», 2011.

What book to read: «No Excuses! The Power of Self-Discipline», Brian Tracy.

Ukhta State Technical University (http://en.ugtu.net) is one of the largest multidisciplinary technical state universities in the European North of Russia. The university has a unique educational, innovative and scientific advantage, and more than 150 laboratories for scientific research. The city of Ukhta is the motherland of the first Russian oil.
One of Ukhta State Technical University’s core values is bridging the gap with the outside world with help of strategic partnership, international internships, exchange programs and cultural programs.

This year, 62 foreign students enrolled into Ukhta State Technical University.
Most of the newcomers came to Ukhta from Most of the newcomers came to Ukhta from neighboring countries. Among those enrolled there are students who have already graduated from the bachelor's degree and entered the master's degree, but most of the students are still "freshmen".
Majority of the foreign students came from Africa, - says the head of the international Department of Ukhta State Technical University Anton Grigoriev. – Those countries include Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Ghana. These are the top countries where International students come from to study At USTU.
In addition, students from West African States such as Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Senegal study at the Ukhta state technical University.
The students will study the Russian language for 10 months before applying for their bachelor or master’s degree.

On June 10 and 11,International students of the preparatory department at Ukhta State Technical University Russia took their final exams of the preparatory course which was "Russian Language as subject", the exams ranged from writing,reading,speaking and understanding aspects. Students from Nigeria, India, Zimbabwe, côte D'ivoire, Senegal, Sudan impressed the Commission not only knowledge of the subject, but also thoughtful attitude towards the educational process, Mature thinking about the their own future and moral standards of society.
The lecturers who trained the students all year, noted their activity and diligence. Students, in turn, expressed their gratitude to their mentors. Some of them intend to continue their education at Ukhta State Technical University to get a bachelors or master's degree.

On April 25-26, 2019, the international scientific and practical conference “Communications, Society, Spirituality” was held at Ukhta state technical University in Russia.
The geographical data of participants was diverse including: Russia, the Republic of Belarus, Ukraine, and even Kyrgyzstan. Researchers, teachers, doctoral students, graduate students, young scientists and specialists enrolled in master’s programs, as well as high school students and middle school students attended the forum. In total, more than papers and projects were presented.
The topics of the papers and projects included in the conference program were diverse as they can be, ranging from the history of the development of the Yarega field to the birth of medicine in Ust-Tsilma, from the role of the crane in the traditional culture of the indigenous peoples of the Russian North to the English sense of humor.
Adebyi Azeez Adeshola (Nigeria): was part of the Foreign language (English) jury
Mufaro Chirinda and Tevin Chasara (Zimababwe): were hosts at the event.
Claudia Vunge (Angola): Participated in the literature department.
all the above named students are students at the Ukhta state technical University in Russia.

On the 23rd of November 2018, International students of Ukhta State Technical University took part in an annual event that is organized by the central library of Ukhta city in the Republic of Komi.

This year event was graced by students from 3 different high school and colleges and they all were eager to meet with some of the International students of the university, and the International students that were scheduled to give a presentation of their country were all Nigerians.

The International students gave a colorful presentation about Nigeria, while the female Nigerian students were dressed in the native Ankara attires to show the great West African sense of fashion.

The event was rounded up with a brief round of questions and a photo session.

6th of November 2018 at the preparatory Department of the International Department marked the beginning of the preparatory course of the third group. The third group consists of students from various countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, came to study at USTU.
During the first, festive, classes, future students experienced many positive emotions, met with their most Russian language teacher, who will be their mentor all next year and will help them to feel the depth and beauty of the great and mighty Russian language. From the first minutes of the introductory session, Elena who is the Head Russian lecturer for the group began to acquaint her students with the Russian language; acquaintance took place in an interactive game form.
After the introductory session, the students of the third group of the preparatory Department went on a tour of the university buildings and visited the business incubator of the University.

Adebiyi Azeez Adeshola and Mufaro Chirinda, students of Ukhta State Technical University Russia joined the student union group of the university to organize a fun week for the children that reside at one of the city's orphanage.

The plan was for the children to have a more fun filled week and which was happened, during the week they attended lots of events such as tours of the building of the university and the museum, they also had an art class.

The last even was at the international department of the university, where children had group games like charades, quizzes and Adeshola gave a presentation about Lagos and Mufaro gave a presentation about Harare (Zimbabwe)

The kids confirmed it was great to meet Africans, it was the first time for some of them.

4TH of October 2018 marked the beginning of the preparatory course for the second group of students at Ukhta State Technical University, Russia.
Just like the first group, the second group is just as diverse as it consists of students from Liberia, Senegal, Sudan and Canada.

The senegalese student happens to be a professionla basketball player and he'll be joining the university's basketball team, same as the canadian student but she's a professional icehockey player and she has played a couple of games for the university.

Students of the Russian Language preparatory course at Ukhta State Technical University Russia attended a scientific exhibition organized by the university on the 28th of September 2018 at the university's sport complex "Burvestnik"
The students were from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Cameroun and Cote d'ivoire

The science event is held annually and this year was themed "Young Scientists", majority of the projects came from the students of the niversity but the event was open to the public.

The students were accompanied by the head of the International department of the university.
They all seemed satisfied with the exhibition and are all eager to participate next year and not just being guests.

International Students of the Ukhta State Technical University participated in a country wide race in ukhta city, Russia.
students from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameroun, Cote d ivoire and india also took part in the 2,018km race on the 16th of September 2018.
the cross country race takes place annually in Russia.

The weather was warm and windy which made the race more fun.

A new Study year begins at Ukhta State Tech University in Russia with a new batch of West African Students.
this years intake at the northern Russian univeristy is filled with optimistic and determined students from all over Africa, with students from Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Cote d'ivoire.
The univeristy exprienced a large turnout of graduating African students the previous study year, but there seems to be no shortage of dedicated African students.
Ukhta State Technical University is one of the largest multidisciplinary technical universities in the European North of Russia. The university has a unique educational, innovative and scientific advantage, and more than 150 laboratories for scientific research. The city Ukhta is the motherland of the first Russian oil and because of that, it has been contributing a lot in the generation of income for the country.

Ukhta state tech is home to an handful of international students from all over the world including some parts in Africa.

The annual summer camp "Innovative Krohkal" was held as scheduled every year and for the first had more Africans than the previous years.
the camp is one of the biggest in its region and it attracts people from all the surrounding cities and towns.
the camp covers all aspect of life, education, culture, research, music, dance ,work seminars,etc.
this year had new students from GHANA and ZIMBABWE who just finished their Russian Language preparatory course.
the camp is one of the great features of the UKHTA STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY.

On the 30th of June 2018 Rukewew Arumala was amognst the graduants that graced the podium during the graduation ceremnony at Ukhta State Technical University.
Rukewe or Ruky like his coursemates call him is from warrri and he went all the way to get a Masters Degree Diploma In Oil Drilling.
Amongst the graudates includes Masters and Bachelor Degree students in oil and gas engineering, mining, engineering,management.
Rukewe was amongst other students from Cameroun,Congo,Angola,Mexico and Cote d'ivoire that graduated top of their classes.
Ukhta State Tech University is one of top tier universities in Russia, the have a very diversified collection of students from all over Africa, including both male and female students from Nigeria,Zimbabwe,Congo,Angola, Cote d'ivoire, South Africa, Sudan, Egypt and Cameroun.
https://en.ugtu.net/

Its no news that Nigerians can be found almost everywhere in the world, living, studying, working or visiting.
And majority of Nigerians study abroad ranging from other African countries,European,Asian or wherever they deem better than the Nigerian educational system.
Russia seems to be on the top list for most Nigerians aside from the UK,USA,CANADA and INDIA, it all depends on how capable the student is financially.
And Russia seems to be the perfect choice considering its mostly affordable tuition fee and advanced educational system, lots of Nigerian study different courses ranging from medicine,engineering and aviation amongst other courses all over Russia.
The first stereotypical fear of most is the cold weather which isn't all true,there are places in Russia that are almost as warm as Nigeria (not all through the year though)
Russia has quite an handful of top class universities considering the fact that its the Biggest country in the world, universities that crossed my my mind was UKHTA STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY because i know an handful of Nigerians that study there https://en.ugtu.net/

Please share your opinions about the above subject

Adebiyi Azeez is 2nd year student studying "PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING" at the prestigious Ukhta State Technical University in Russia, Azeez is also an intern at the international department of the university.

Ukhta State Technical University opened its doors to the world, and the guest this time around is Dr. Scott de Francesco, he’s an American professor from New York who specializes in strategic communications, public relations and advertising.
It’s safe to say he’s on a mission to spread knowledge in his area of specialty, he has a long list of universities he’s taught at and done freelance work all over the world including Australia, England,China and now Russia. Currently, he is an associate professor of communications at Quinnipiac University, Connecticut.

Azeez was in charge of translating the Russian Language to Dr. Scott who doesn't understand the language, Azeez also gave tours of the university buildings and a short tour of the city accompanied by a lecturer of the university.
Dr. Scott had seminars,workshops, and conferences with the staff,students of the university and the general public about strategic communications, public relations and advertising.