谈话

15 Января

Viktoria Palfinger, Katrin Stieger

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My name is Viktoria Palfinger, I am a student of Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck in Austria. As I study the Russian language, I always wanted to spend one semester in Russia. Moscow didn’t attract me as an option because I was looking for a town or little city to see how people live in “real Russia”, that means not in a big city like Moscow. To study at North-Eastern Federal University seemed to be really interesting, as Yakutsk is situated in a really unique place, really different to every place I’ve visited before.

The first time I heard about NEFU at my home university then I got the further information from the university's official website. The decision was made. I leaved for Yakutsk, Siberia.

I liked my classes very much with Russian class being the best one. I would say it's all about my teacher - Anna Valentinovna who had the gift to teach people with having fun, and if there was any word I didn’t understand, she was always able to explain everything in Russian so that I understood. Tightly working with her and other students I made a huge progress in my Russian, in particular, in comprehension, speaking, writing and reading. After studying at NEFU, I am much more motivated to work with the Russian language. Before that I had the impression that I was working and working, but the progresses were almost not visible. Studying in Yakutsk made the Russian language much more “understandable” for me, I started to speak automatically, without thinking too much about the conjugation/declination.

During my stay I had so much good experiences, that it’s hard to say, which one was the best. First of all, I was really impressed about the openness of the people in Yakutsk. The students invited us to their places, explained us, how they live, what they’re doing, what they are thinking – in one sentence: they let us be part of their lives. Most of them were also really patient when, for example, an information that normally takes one sentence needed 3 minutes to be explained. The professors were amazing, with every question we could come to them and they always did their best to help us.

I was totally satisfied with the work of the International Office. Once I made a semester in Belgium, and I have to say that the work of the office there was not to compare with the work of the one at NEFU. The International Office was a big help for us concerning the issues like the picking-up from the airport, all the administrative things, visa and so on. I had to go there 100 times to get all the things and information I needed, and here everything worked out immediately.

As for accommodation, there was no problem. Moreover, the rooms and the equipment were totally satisfying.

For me the climate was difficult. I really liked it, but my body was not used to that. But if you are not afraid of challenging climate and you are interested in living in real North, just come and try it. The only advice I give you: be part of the NEFU- International Club which organizes extra curricular activities and you will have a chance to get to know more people.

So I would totally recommend studying at North-Eastern Federal University. For me it was a great and unique experience and I promise you the same.

Viktoria Palfinger,

Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Austria


Have you ever wondered why some students leave their home university for studying in some remote places? As for me, it's all about curiosity. I was always interested in different cultures and peoples, in particular, indigenous. I study at University of Innsbruck, Austria, my major is Translation. So, I decided to set off for Russia to improve my Russian and to get known other cultures. Why Yakutia? We had some exchange students from Yakutsk in our university who suggested an idea to visit their Alma-mater – North-Eastern Federal University.

During my studying at NEFU as an exchange student I did a real progress in aural comprehension, writing and speaking. The courses were very interesting and demanding especially Conflict management and Translation R-G. The best thing about my study experience at the university was the fact that the students and teachers are very interested to be in contact and to learn different languages with foreign students. Pace of campus life is frenetic and there are a lot of extra curricular activities to fit every taste.

I would like to strongly recommend North-Eastern Federal University for foreign students because I was totally satisfied with the quality of education and housing; so you will gain unforgettable experience living in Yakutsk and communicating with locals.

Katrin Stieger,

Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Austria