Our International Alumni

John Quiroga, post-graduate student on theoretical physics, Columbia.

For the first time I came to Tomsk for a post-graduate degree at TSPU in 2001 under supervision of Prof. S.D. Odintsov. I completed the post-graduate study in 2004 on the specialty “Theoretical Physics” at the Department of Mathematical Analysis.

My study at Tomsk was very interesting as I found here not only highly qualified teachers and scientists, who were ready to help me but also I met a lot of good friends. Now I teach in my home country, at State University of Pereira, Columbia. I had worked here before I entered the post-graduate study in Tomsk. Along with teaching I research a lot. I cooperate actively with Professors S.D. Odintsov and P.M. Lavrov. Also I communicate closely with TSPU. I’d like to say that it is very pleasant for me to come to Tomsk as I have a lot of friends here. Especially pleasant for me that everybody remembers me here and all the staff of the Chairs of Physical and Mathematical Faculty, Rector V.V. Obukhov, Vice-Rectors of TSPU always welcomes me. They still perceive me as a member of the Chair of Mathematical Analysis. Because of this I often miss Tomsk and I would like to visit TSPU more often. I would like to thank for kindness and continuous support the Rector of TSPU V.V. Obukhov, Professors S.D. Odintsov, P.M. Lavrov, I.L. Bukhbinder, K.E. Osetrin and all the faculty of Physical and Mathematical Faculty.

Carey McGowan Kafatia, participant of Cultural Immersion Projects, USA

My family and friends all told me I was crazy for choosing to spend the winter in Russia, without even knowing the language. I was also starting to question my sanity when I stepped off the plane at 5am on a cold winter’s day in Tomsk, not even able to communicate to the person sitting next to me! That was the day that my life began to change. I went from a small town girl born and raised in the Mid West United States, to a world traveler in just a few days. I had decided to go to Tomsk to complete my practicum and graduate from Indiana University, while being supervised by Tomsk State Pedagogical University. I was able to teach 4th, 5th, and 10th form English at a Gymnasium in Tomsk, as well as speak to several classes at the University. I experienced so many new things in Tomsk. I made it my goal to never say no to an invitation. With that as in my head, I was able to go to concerts, museums, the village, skating rinks, movie theaters, churches, and so many other places! I met more people than I could have ever imagined, including an amazing host family that I still keep in contact with. When I arrived in Tomsk, I knew no Russian. By the end of my trip, I was able to communicate effectively with those around me in Russian. I came to Tomsk as a small town girl, but I left with a big world impact. The time that I spent in Tomsk is a time that I would trade for nothing. I loved every moment that I spent in Tomsk. Call me crazy, but my heart will always be in Tomsk!

Andre Schoen, participant of Erasmus Mundus Programme, Germany

First, I would love to tell you, why I chose Tomsk for my studies. I wanted to see what Russia is like. My favorite example is this: If you know New York you do not know nothing about the United States. For that I chose Tomsk and not Moscow, neither St. Petersburg. And I am not disappointed.

About the university I would love to say, that the little number of students in the classes enables the students to take part in the lessons. On the other hand this enables the teachers to get focused on the students themselves. As I can see, there are some teachers who really enjoy this situation and get focused on the students as the destination of their work and not so much the teaching material. But thereby the teachers transmit lots more of the contents of the teaching material but those who not get focused on the students. As a consequence of this attitude towards the students many lessons are really interesting and students can simply adapt what they are to learn.

As a student of Cultural sciences I am really enthusiastic about the widespread possibilities in Cultural Sciences. Religion, sculptures, theories, history, painting, anthropology etc. All that is part of the studies of Cultural Sciences. Out of the classroom the workers of the university really take care, also. Beside the studies Tomsk offers you lots of cultural possibilities and the nature is not far from wherever you are. All in all Tomsk was a good choice.

Katja Goehler, participant of Erasmus Mundus Programme, Germany

Why did I choose TSPU? I received the letter with the information about Programme Erasmus Mundus. I looked immediately at what university I could study. I opened Tomsk State Pedagogical University and thought: “Yes”. Firstly, pedagogical university, secondly, Tomsk is a small city in the heart of Siberia.

Now I am here for almost 4 months and I am a little bit sad as I have to leave soon.

At the lessons each time I understand more, my group-mates always support me, teachers help in word and deed and people in the streets are frank and sociable. I am glad that I could choose myself seminars and lectures unlike Russian students. They study in the groups, but as I study different subjects it is better for me that I could choose what I need and what interesting for me is. I live with the other students at the dormitory; it is very useful as I could easily meet Russian people. When I communicate people I could see that I understand more information and faster.

Ina Wingold, participant of Erasmus Mundus Programme, Germany

Tomsk is a beautiful and old city with a great number of students and a lot of possibilities to study. I came here in winter and winter in Tomsk means - 40 degrees, eyelashes covered by frost and possibilities to skate in the park. But don’t worry, summer also exists in Siberia.

I study at Pedagogical University because I want to be a teacher of primary school. At this University there is a lot of interesting variants of pedagogical and language education. Students study in small groups, it gives an opportunity to teach intensive and individual. I attend classes on mathematics, technology, the Russian language and drama course. Thanks to the teachers I managed to visit lessons in Russian primary school as I wanted to know how teachers conduct their lessons here and it was great experience for me.

Another interesting experience in Russia is to live at the dormitory. I quickly got acquainted with Russian students and Russian culture. I could tell that I managed to find real friends and they even taught me to cook traditional Russian dish – borsch. Of course the rules of the dormitory are different here, for example, it is closed from 1 a.m. till 6 a.m. but it also means safety of students. In summer the nights in Tomsk are so pleasant that you could walk with your friends. When study becomes intensive some rest is necessary and one could take a rest in many parks of the city, on the quay and just on the bank of the river Tom. I adore the river Tom because this river means for me not only peace but also motion and power. These qualities are very important to be steady and feel abroad at home. And this feeling of steadiness I wish to all foreign and Russian students during study at Pedagogical University.

Yours Ina Wingold from Germany

Sarah Fobbe, participant of Erasmus Mundus Programme, Germany

I arrived in Tomsk in February 2009 for one year – I can only recommend everyone to stay here as long as possible since this is a neat little city with beautiful architecture. Although the beginning was tough (the weather really cold and I hardly understood a single word in the lectures, the situation did improve and my understanding grew rapidly.

The offered lectures are interesting and cover a broad range (which is definitely more diverse than at home) and what I really like is our freedom to participate in all lectures no matter which faculty or which course you have been registered for in the first place. Most of the tutors/professors are very helpful and try to include us in discussions etc. - overall, the relationship between tutor and students is much closer here than at home due to very small classes (ca.10-20 people) Conferences are quite exhausting sometimes, but worth to participate in. What I had to get accustomed to (among other things) was the complicated way of “paying” my rent which involves consulting several offices at the beginning and just takes TIME! In general you have to be patient when it comes to administrative organization of any kind and «Терпение» will probably become one of the first words you’ll never forget – But you will always find someone to help you get through.

Life in the student’s hall is another issue…..the rooms are great and well equipped with a fridge, TV, microwave, heater (no complaints….except that we had very little kitchen stuff and dishes), just the feeling of being „observed“ by the facilities attendants every time you come and go was a fact I had to get used to. Of course they are nice ladies and won’t do you any harm – it’s just part of the “ruled life of a Russian student”.

Jana Schlecht, participant of Erasmus Mundus Programme, Germany

When I had submitted my documents to the Dean’s office of Dresden University with the request to become a trainee in Russia on the Programme Erasmus Mundus I was offered some cities to study at. I chose Tomsk because at this city there was a pedagogical university and the learning programme I was especially interested in. On the Internet I found information about TSPU, educational institution in Siberia with ancient history. It seemed to me just what I wanted. My candidature for trip abroad was approved and I received state scholarship.

Siberia. Only one this word makes me frozen; the pictures of snow-covered impassable forests with bears and wolves came to mind... It was a little bit terrified to go. But what I saw here was great! Beautiful city, a lot of youth, pleasant friendly atmosphere. It was nice and gaily. And almost 50 degrees of frost was not so terrible as it seemed.

We, the students-foreigners, were offered a number of lectures and practical lessons such as, for example, “History of Russian literature” or “History and Culture of the Peoples of Siberia”. It was immensely interesting to study. All this undoubtedly will be useful fro our future work. I would like to thank our teachers: Guzeeva A.V., Kollegov A.K., Malysheva L.G., Tarasyuk N.N. and many others (unfortunately it is impossible to mention all the names). Thank you very much for Your attention to us, Your work and efforts. We won’t forget you of course.

Byambasuren Lkhundev (in the photo first on the right), Purevdulam Davaanyam (in the photo first on the left, students of the preparatory courses on the Russian language, Mongolia

In 2008-2009 we studied in the city of Tomsk, at TSPU. We came to Tomsk from Mongolia to study the Russian language. Tomsk is a student city. This city is s Siberian scientific center. We thought so, that’s why we chose this city. We chose TSPU because at this university you could acquire a profession of the Russian language teacher.

Tomsk is a beautiful city, calm, green and white. Tomsk winter surprised us very much. We have never seen so much snow before. In the street the depth of snow is as a half of me. In this city there are a lot of beautiful buildings. Tomsk State Pedagogical University is also beautiful and we liked it very much. We are thankful to our teachers – Ludmila Anatoljevna and Nadezhda Nikolaevna, who taught us the Russian language.

In Tomsk we studied not only the Russian language. We participated in scientific life, took part in International scientific-practical conference at TSPU and All-Russian Review of scientific and creative works of foreign students and post-graduates of Polytechnic university. There we met the Chairman of the Association of foreign students of Russia – Gabriel Anisent Kochofa and our works were rewarded with diplomas as the best ones. We want to thank our scientific adviser, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Akhmetova Ludmila Vladimirovna, who contributed to our success attracting us to active student work. This year during our study at TSPU we obtained a lot of knowledge, acquired new life experience. Next year we will obligatory return to Tomsk and will continue our studying.

Enkhbaatar Munkh-Od, student of the preparatory courses on the Russian language, Mongoilia

My name is Munkh-Od. My Russian name is Artem. I am 18 years old. I came to Tomsk to study. Before I lived in Mongolia and now I live in Tomsk dormitory. It is very gaily here. I study at the preparatory courses, study the Russian language and psychology. In free time I visit library. There I read books and work on computer. I like Tomsk very much because there are a lot of universities here. Also I like Lagerny Sad (Garden), Quay etc. I have a lot of friends in Tomsk. They always help me. They are very kind and cheerful. Next year I will study at TUSUR. I am very glad that I will enter TUSUR.

See you in Tomsk!

Moltsog Byambanaran, student of the preparatory courses on the Russian language, Mongoilia

My name is Byambanaran. I am 18 years old. I came from Mongolia to Tomsk in October, 2008. After graduating school I chose Tomsk to study at University. During 2008-2009 academic year I studied at Pedagogical University, at the preparatory courses where I studied the Russian language. Additionally I studied together with the students of TSPU at International laboratory of cognitive-adaptive technologies of psychology of education. These lessons helped me to get acquainted with Russian students better, to understand peculiarities of life in another country. It was very interesting. I presented my papers at the conferences with my new friends - Russian and foreign students. I told them about culture of Mongolia. Now I have a lot of Russian friends, they are very clever and always help me. I wan to continue my study at Tomsk State Pedagogical University.

Enkhbat Khash-Erdene, student of the preparatory courses on the Russian language, Mongolia

My name is Khash-Erdene. I am 17 years old. I always liked the Russian language and when I knew that I could go to Russia to study the Russian language I was very glad. And now I study at Tomsk State Pedagogical University, at the preparatory courses. Life in Russia is very interesting for me. Tomsk is a student city. Especially life at the dormitory is gaily and interesting. I got acquainted with a lot of Russian students. My Russian friends always help me, we permanently communicate Russian. Now my language becomes much better. Also I studied at the student laboratory of cognitive-adaptive technologies of psychology of education. It helped me to get used quickly and to participate together with Russian students in scientific life. I presented my papers twice and worried very much but everything was great. Next year I will come to Tomsk again.

Enkhbaatar Tuvshin-Erdene, student of the preparatory courses on the Russian language, Mongolia

I am E. Tuvshin-Erdene. I am 19 years old. I came from Mongolia to study. I live in Tomsk already for 8 months. I like Tomsk very much. It is very cozy and hospitable city. I like to walk round the city, look at the monuments, beautiful buildings, visit museums. I saw a lot of monuments and got acquainted with culture of Tomsk. In Tomsk there are a lot of interesting places: Lagerny Sad (Garden), Quay, Novosobornaya Square and University Roscha (Grove). Also I liked Drama Theatre. It was very beautiful there. I have a lot of friends in Tomsk. Also I spend much time together with Russian students at student laboratory. It is interesting there. When I come home I will tell everybody about Tomsk, Tomsk State Pedagogical University, laboratory, conferences and holidays, which were organized at TSPU, teachers who studied us the Russian language and helped us to adapt to new life psychologically

Mongolian students –students of the preparatory courses of the Russian language

Photo: students preparing for the lesson at the computer class.

 

Students from Indiana University, Bloomington, USA

In the photo: Ann Harrington with students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages

In the photo: Mark Howard, conducting a lesson for students of Siberian Lyceum