The tour itinerary ran through the various historical places of interest and attractive sites of Samara from the embankment to the cathedral mosque of Samara. The students learned about the city history through its historical and architectural monuments.
Bronze copy of “Barge Haulers on the Volga” by Repin has attracted the attention of the tourists and generated questions. Also a bronze monument “A cat basking on a heat-exchanger”, situated on the wall of the entrance of Samara regional hydro-electric power plant, attracted interest. They were surprised to learn that previously resided on the territory of the territory of the entertainment centre «Kin-Up» and the second stage of the embankment.
The foreign students have learned the history of origin of the Saint Aleksiy Chapel, photographed at the foot of the monument to Sergius of Radonezh - the patron saint of all students, therefore they gained support of the holy man in their further studying.
The next item on the tour turned out to be the house of the merchant Alfred von Vacano, built in the style of German Modernism.
Driving through the streets of the old town, the students with interest looked at the sights and listened the information about Chelyshev’s houses, Romanovs’ grammar school, Leningradskaya street, a monument to Vasiliy Ivanovich Chapayev and the interpretation of the name “Revolution Square”.
During the tour they have learned about the architectural features of Catholic and Orthodox churches. Now the young people know the locations of the Museum of Art Nouveau and the museum of military equipment, as well as the Samara Drama Theatre, Samara Opera and Ballet Theatre and Square of Fame. The guys have known the place of beginning of the Moscow highway leading to the capital.
Such excursions are organized by SSAU Administration of Extracurricular Work within the framework of implementation of a comprehensive program of psychological and pedagogical support of professional adaptation of foreign students of SSAU. Nina Igolkina, Director of SSAU Social and Psychological Centre, a person, responsible for organizing excursions, could soak herself and the young people in the cultural and historical atmosphere of the city and highly praised the tour content and professional competence of Marina Maksimova, a tour guide of the travel company “Wind of Change”.
“I believe that foreign students need such trips, - says Nina Borisovna. - Overcoming difficulties that each student faces in the process of adapting to a new cultural environment, gives him valuable life experience and promotes intellectual development and self-enrichment. Everything is new here for the foreign students: a climate, a food, a language, a culture, friends and environment. Familiarization with the environment is an important factor in accelerating the adaptation to the new living conditions. Moreover, familiarity with the city history goes through verbal environment with correct and beautiful Russian speech. I think these trips are invaluable positive experience for our foreign students.
The international students participating in this adaptation program are satisfied by such activities and say that SSAU become their second home.
Charles Momanui, Kenya:
- I would like to become an engineer and therefore entered SSAU, the institute of aeronautical engineering. At first it was difficult for me to find a friend here because I didn’t know Russian, but then I became friends with many students. In my own time I go on trips, watch movies or play football. SSAU gives me a lot of opportunities. I really enjoyed the trip over Samara and I would like to visit more such trips.
Hyasinta Benangodi, Tanzania:
- the Embassy of our country offers student exchange among the countries. I wanted to come here and I do not regret my choice. It is very interesting in SSAU, I like to study here. They show us the city and tell a lot of interesting things. Prior to this tour, we visited Stalin’s bunker and several museums. I hope to see all Samara.
Marianne Kosmidou, Greece:
- I was very pleased to have been invited on the tour. Now I study in the Samara Medical University, but the whole of last year I attended courses on Russian in SSAU. There are very good people and teachers in your university; I have got a lot of friends here. It is very beautiful and interesting in Samara, I liked the tour. Thank you!
Maria Lukienko
Photo: Kirill Zabudskiy
