Three days of learning, acquiring new knowledge and presenting projects loaded the 8th POLIS camp, officially known as the Volga Educational Camp for international students. The sports and recreation complex “Chistye Prudy” (literally “clean ponds”) in Penza hosted the event from 19 to 22 May 2023.

This year the camp was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Penza State University. As usual it was organized by the Department of Student Affairs with the support of the Association of International Students of the Penza Region.

For the first time, the camp welcomed not only students from the higher education institutions in the Penza Region, namely Penza State University, Penza State Technological University, Penza State Agriculture University and Penza State University of Architecture and Construction, but also guests from other constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

At the opening ceremony, Head of the International Education Department Sergey Ivanchin greeted the students and wished them productive time: “We are very glad to see international students from N.P. Ogarev Mordovia State University. I am sure that these three days will be interesting, useful and positively charged for all participants”.

The agenda included the psychological trainings, teamwork and project activity. The special emphasis was made on creativity, so that the participants attended the vocal workshop and master classes in acting and events planning. “Our task is not just to provide the students with new knowledge and to upgrade their skills, but also to reveal their talents, to overcome fears and to lift barriers through music, dance, stage performance or event management. This camp turned out to be especially creative and allowed the students to prove themselves and enabled us to discover new talents,” emphasized the event organizers.

The POLIS camp culminated in the presentation of projects aimed at improving life of international students. The most worthwhile projects will be implemented. The experts were President of the Association of International Students in Russia Issa Shaabo, Vice President of the Association of International Students in Russia Alsendor Robenson and Chairman of the Association of International Students of the Penza Region Adel Ali Omar Maqbol. According to experts, the students did a great job: “Each of the projects deserves to be implemented. We see that the students examined the topical problems existing in the university environment and wisely approached their solution”.

The students who are just starting their path as activists at the university were mentored by the students, who have achieved success in management and creativity. One of the mentors was Parizoda Abdumazhidova, a PSU student from Uzbekistan. Last year, she participated in the camp, and this year she became a mentor of the group. The student admitted that the POLIS camp unites: “At first there were fears that the students might be inactive, that I would not be able to create a friendly atmosphere for the participants. However, the first day dispelled my thoughts. My group and I worked very well. They were very cheerful, active, inquisitive, intelligent and respectful. They motivated me all three days and raised my spirits. As an educational camp, POLIS brings together students from all over the world. It is a place that provides an opportunity not only to learn relevant information that students need, but also to make friends, explore different cultures and speak different languages”.

Among those who first came to the educational camp was Shabibi Atajanova, a future doctor from Turkmenistan. For her the participants of POLIS became a real family. “From the first day I felt like I was at home. That was very uncommon, because I usually feel awkward and embarrassed in an unfamiliar place. Moving to Russia for every international student is stressful. We all have worries and concerns. The POLIS camp became a kind of amusement for us, as it was filled with warmth, support and love. In difficult moments, memories of these days will bring me back to normal and give me strength!” noted Shabibi Atajanova.

In 2023 the POLIS camp united the students from 12 countries, and the cultural differences and the language barriers did not become an obstacle for them. Hanna Joy, a student of N.P. Ogarev Mordovia State University from India, hardly spoke Russian, but with other participants they understood each other perfectly: “Being an international student is not an easy task. New language, new food, new culture... The university helps to adapt to the new reality. We are grateful to PSU for inviting us to take part in the POLIS camp and for cordially welcoming us! The organizers and mentors were fantastic. Each student was really full of energy, so that it contributed to the smooth and efficient running of the event. We felt like a real international family”.

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