A report on the OTV-Prim channel titled "In Vladivostok, foreign students organized their club 'I Live in Russia'" featured an interview where host Lada Pasechnik discussed with international students how Alexander Pushkin's poetry helps them adapt to life abroad.
"The poems of Pushkin open the doors of the Russian language to any student; they help you feel the language itself," says Omar Hamed, a VVSU student from Egypt, in the segment. "When I first arrived, senior students told me about potential problems and difficulties... We sit together, share experiences, and tell each other something new and interesting."
The club gathers so students can practice the language and assist those who have just arrived in Russia. Today, it brings together native speakers of ten languages from China, Laos, North Korea, Mozambique, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, and other countries.
"We do everything possible so that students feel at home. We help them at all stages — from getting acquainted with the university and the city to mandatory visits to museums, theaters, and nature spots in Primorsky Krai," concludes Viktor Egupov, Leading Specialist of the Department of Social and Cultural Adaptation at VVSU's Institute for Training Foreign Citizens.
Viktoria Soleinik, Head of the Institute, noted that staff strive to involve students in extracurricular activities like theater productions and excursions throughout their entire study cycle. During classes, communication is held exclusively in Russian. The administration enthusiastically supported the initiative led by Omar Hamed to create this international space where students could interact across cultures and learn empathy.
Club members are already actively sharing the TV story on social media so more international learners know where to find support while living in Russia.