Lebanese students went to St. Petersburg to get acquainted with Russian culture with no need for a break from studies. Summer school of St. Petersburg Mining University is the host party for the students here. According to the University, it is also the very first time they organize a summer school.
Lebanese International University’s students came to Saint-Petersburg for 11 days only. Before that they could have a look at the city beauties only on the pictures. Some of the students are already in their fourth year at the University, some are about to graduate from Master’s programs, but regardless of that none of them had to miss their studies in order to travel to Russia, as Mining University organized for them both lectures and practical activities. In Saint-Petersburg fellow students will visit a few geodesic oriented companies. Social events are also a part of the programme.
«This year is the first time we, in the Mining University, host an international summer school. Prior to that we have never arranged summer schools, but we had internship possibilities. Summer school provides numerous activities for its students, including lectures, practical studies, trainings, field-trip tours, workshop sessions and certainly social events», as Ekaterina Grischenkova, senior engineer of the international office at Mining University, says about specific details of this education programme.
Mohamed Abbud is the one, who made it possible for students to gain field-specific knowledge and travel at the same time. He graduated from the Mining University, but then he went back to his native Lebanon. Later he became a head of geodesy department at Lebanese International University. Throughout the time he was keeping his contacts with Mining University active, and this year his friendship with the University got an official recognition.
Mohamed Abbud says, «We signed a memorandum between St. Petersburg and Lebanese Universities. The initial idea was to invite students to St. Petersburg to summer school for sharing experiences as well as visit Russia, the country where they have never been previously».
«As people believe in Lebanon, Russia is only Siberia, only snow, and there is nothing beautiful here. Students coming to St. Petersburg have an opportunity to see for themselves, what is real Russian culture. In addition to that, they may visit lectures, which are hold at the University on a daily basis. In the future we hope to come again and work together with Mining University», he continues.
As Mohamed explains, despite the number of students wishing to travel to Saint-Petersburg from Lebanon was very large, only twenty students were lucky enough to make it. However, he expects that more students will be able to get to Russia in the nest year.
Nur Naser always wanted to find herself in Saint-Petersburg, despite the fact that people from her surroundings kept trying to scare her by «gloomy Russians». However as soon she made it to the city, all her false assumptions disappeared. She also admits that she does not regret the trip, as she gained knowledge, which is beneficial to her future specialization, and also visited the city of her dreams.
«We have heard that Russian people are very friendly and we fully realized it upon our arrival at the country. People here are ready to help and answer all your questions. I was totally blown away, when I came here. I would have liked to stay here for the rest of my life – study and work here», Nur admits to reporters.
Mohamad Nasrullah, another Lebanese student, has a similar opinion: «The city is very beautiful and worth of visiting. There are a lot of monuments and places of historical interest there. I would be very happy, if I had a chance to stay in Saint-Petersburg for a few years or maybe longer. It’s quite lovely here».
As summer school hosts say, there is a possibility for students to stay in Petersburg, but in order to do so they have to enter a PhD programme first.
