In the 2022/2023 academic year, VSU and Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno implemented an academic exchange of students. As part of the cooperation agreement between the two universities, the representative of the Faculty of Applied Mathematics, Informatics, and Mechanics, Anton Shabanov, gained experience of exchange education in Grodno. Meanwhile, Alexander Zhichikov from the Faculty of Economics and Enterprise Management at University of Grodno studied at VSU.
During his six months at Voronezh University, he participated in various events and festivals, including: “Student Spring – Youth Creativity”, scientific and practical conference “Earth Day”, international student meeting “Among Your Own People”, and cultural school “Dialogue of Cultures in the Global World”.
“Thanks to academic mobility, I got lots of experience and knowledge, met different people, and shared my experiences and ideas with them. The programme gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons and obtain new knowledge in the field of economics. The university's teachers are highly professional, and they always helped me and supported me during classes,” said Alexander Zhichikov.
While in Voronezh, Alexander joined the Buddy Club which helps international students adapt to their new life and studying at VSU.
“Together with other international students, I attended board game evenings, film screenings and literary meetings, where students talked about the literature of their country and recited poetry and prose. I also enjoyed musical gatherings where students performed songs and dances from their native country. I learned about Voronezh during a short entertaining tour around the city,” said Alexander Zhichikov.
Anton Shabanov, a third year student from the VSU Faculty of Applied Mathematics, Informatics, and Mechanics, completed an extensive training programme at Grodno State University in 5 months. Being a representative of VSU, he studied a course taught in English and attended lectures on artificial intelligence with a professor from India. Anton also learnt how international students are welcomed at the university in the Republic of Belarus.
“I visited an international fair, there were people from different countries, and students of Grodno State University treated us with traditional dishes. On 26 April, the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day, student activists held a quiz in which our team took 2nd place. The most memorable event was a library night which was based on “Alice in Wonderland” and organised by the scientific university library,” said Anton Shabanov.
Both students noted that their academic mobility was very well-organised and thanked VSU, the staff of the international department of the university, and the international centre of Grodno State University for their assistance in educational activities.
“I’m really grateful to Voronezh State University for this academic mobility programme. My special thanks for a warm welcome and support goes to Alla Akulshina, Head of the Department of International Cooperation. She was always willing to help and answer all my questions, which made my stay in Voronezh so much easier,” said Alexander Zhichikov.
