Chinese Students at HSE Nizhny Novgorod

Every summer students from Chongqing’s Southwest University of Political Science and Law come to HSE Nizhny Novgorod to study Russian and learn more about Russian culture and cuisine. 

For several weeks the Chinese students will attend lectures on law, intercultural communications, Russian history, and also improve their Russian language skills.

They will have the opportunity to enjoy excursions around Nizhny Novgorod, as well as to Gorodets and Semenov. They will see beautiful Russian sights and learn more about the architecture of historic towns.

The students shared their impressions of their visit to HSE Nizhny Novgorod:

Zhang Yujia

‘I was impressed by Nizhny Novgorod, the lessons are interesting, the people are warm, and the scenery is beautiful. I believe that I will enjoy my time in Nizhny. One small thing bothers me – and that’s the hot weather, I have to  wake up at night to drink water because I'm thirsty. I hope I’ll get used to it in time.  That aside, this trip will be an excellent experience.’

Sui Wanjun

‘Nizhny Novgorod is a calm and clean city. It is like a pearl on the Volga. Our buddies are so nice, considerate and enthusiastic .We wouldn't have nearly so much fun without them.  I think Nizhny has a special charm because of its culture, its landscape, and its people.’

Wu Huiji

‘I really love our buddies! We have so many questions, but they always answer all of them patiently. The dormitory is really great and very convenient, because although it not near the school or city center, it's great that we can have bus and driver. My trip in Nizhny Novgorod is really really wonderful.’

 ‘Summer schools for Chinese students at HSE Nizhny Novgorod have already become a good tradition. They are organized under a cooperation agreement between the universities signed three years ago. In May 2016 students from HSE Nizhny Novgorod went to China and were very impressed by their trip. I hope that these Chinese students will find their trip to Russia to be a rewarding experience,’ says Olga Berzin, Deputy Director of HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod.

Volunteer Anastasia Dubrovskaya says: ‘It’s interesting to see how the Chinese students react, some things make them laugh – like when people come up to them on the street and say ‘ni hao’ (‘hello’ in Chinese). The students usually reply by asking the people, in Chinese, if they speak Chinese, but don’t often get any answer. Many locals know how to greet people in Chinese, but that’s the extent of their knowledge of the language. It’s also interesting to go shopping with Chinese students as they compare prices in Russia and China. Due to the rouble’s fall many things are cheaper here than in China. They seem surprised when they see that a lot of products have labels saying ‘made in China’. Their adventures here have just begun. I hope they will like the city and that they would like to come again.’