The Penza Region hosts the POLIS Camp, which is the Volga Educational Camp for international students. It qualifies the Penza Region as the Russian centre for training of foreign nationals. The region is systematically developing within the all-Russian trend defined by  increasing export of educational services.

This large-scale project was launched by Penza State University and Association of International Students of Russia. It implies a set of discussion, educational and training subpanels for active foreign and Russian students who study at Russian universities.

The POLIS camp is held at the premises of Art-Penza Hotel in Chistye Prudy resort. The event is arranged in conjunction with the Student Activist Group “Impulse”. This contributes to cultivating friendship between Russian and foreign students from different departments. The activity of the camp is aimed at accelerating social adaptation of foreign nationals and their integration into the Russian student community.

The concept of the camp is based on the three-module system. The major module is the educational one. The auxiliary part encompasses cultural and creative module and tourist module.

The educational module may include:
•    Lectures delivered by the representatives of various organisations
•    Round-table discussions, during which honoured guests share their views
•    Trainings conducted by the Department of Student Affairs
•    Foresight sessions
•    Role-playing games
•    Master classes

The cultural and creative module may comprise:
•    Topic-related discos
•    Grand openings and closings of the POLIS camp
•    Roleplaying adventure games aimed at team building
•    Training sessions
•    Ethno Dance Parties

The tourist module may embrace:
•    City Sightseeing Tour of Penza and other Russian cities
•    Excursion to Lermontov State Museum-Reserve “Tarkhany”

The goal of the camp is to develop communication, research and management skills of foreign nationals for effective adaptation to teaching and learning process in Russian universities. The POLIS camp allows international students to encourage social interaction among them and Russian students. Foreign citizens have the opportunity to participate in project and socially useful activities that blurs the lines between ethnic groups and popularises the Russian language as a language of international communication.

Following the camp, students are able to launch ambitious network projects useful for themselves and universities, where they study. The best projects will be implemented at the universities. 

If you study at Penza State University and wish to join the POLIS Camp, please contact the Department of Student Affairs. For latest news and photos please refer to the Official group in Vkontakte (in Russian).