Please tell us something about yourself and the program that you are enrolled in?
I am a Bachelor’s student in Business Informatics at ITMO. This program deals with the principles of analysis, modeling, and management of business processes. We study the methods and tools for the analysis and modeling of organizational and technological processes at enterprises, as well as the different types of systems for their automation.
How did you come across the exchange program and what was the application procedure like?
The exchange program is called the YEAR Program (Year of Exchange in America for Russians). I learned about it from my friends. The application is a three-step process. Usually, it begins in November. To be eligible you should be a Russian citizen enrolled in the first two years of a 4-year program or the first three years of a 5-year program at a Russian university. It is important to keep in mind that you should be below 21 years of age when applying. You can start by filling out an online application form in English. You would need to submit some documents, which include your passport, resume, academic transcripts, a motivation essay, and at least one letter of recommendation. First-year undergraduate students can submit their high school certificates. The second step is a virtual interview which is usually conducted in January or February. The final step is to score a minimum of 70 points in the TOEFL exam.
How did you prepare yourself for the TOEFL examination?
TOEFL was such an interesting part of my life. I prepared for it all by myself. I watched a lot of videos about it on YouTube. There were also some books that I used to refer to a lot, especially for solving practice tests. I am glad that I did well on the test. I scored 103 points out of 120. Because of the pandemic, we had the opportunity to take the test at home. That was a huge mental boost for me. I could select any time for the test according to my needs. That made things a lot easier.
Alina is having a great time in the U.S. Photo courtesy of the subject
Was it difficult to get a US visa?
To be honest, I was worried about the visa as getting it right now is next to impossible, due to the pandemic. However, my exchange was supervised by the U.S. embassy in Russia, so it was not difficult for me. I had submitted all my documents and then I only had to pay for the visa services and wait for a week or so. I got the US J-1 student exchange visa on the 28th of June, 2021, and moved to the U.S on the 9th of August, 2021.
Did you get the COVID-19 vaccination before moving to the US?
I did not take the COVID-19 vaccine in Russia because Sputnik-V is not recognized in the US. But I got vaccinated with the American COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer on the 14th September 2021. Luckily, I am feeling good with no side effects. Just a little pain in my arm.
Did you have to self-isolate upon arrival? What was it like to do it in a foreign country?
Yes, I had to quarantine myself for a week. I stayed in an isolated room in the university’s dormitory for international students. I was given a box full of daily-use items like soap, toilet paper, and napkins. I was also given a $275 gift card with which I could order food online during the entire quarantine period. I was allowed to go downstairs and pick up the parcel.
Tell us something about your new university, and the education there.
The name of my new university is North Central College. It is located in Naperville in Illinois near Chicago. Unlike many universities in Russia, it has a huge lush-green campus. It used to take me almost an hour to travel from my dormitory at Belorusskaya St. 6 to ITMO University’s Lomonosova St. 9 campus. But here everything is within one huge campus. My hostel is located very close to the academic building. I really like this campus and I know that ITMO is also going to do something similar with their ITMO Highpark project. I am really excited about that. Business informatics is my major subject here as well. I also study Principles of Marketing, History of Chicago, and Digital Art. Here I have the freedom to design my own schedule. I have classes only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The teachers here are very friendly and helpful. They always encourage us to ask questions. They take good care of me.
How long is the exchange program?
The exchange program is eight months long. It will end in May. After that, I will return to Russia and complete my Bachelor’s degree at ITMO. This exchange program is a non-degree one. So I will not get a degree after its completion but a few certificates and tonnes of experience.
Alina was amazed by the hospitality of the people in the U.S. Photo courtesy of the subject
Are you enjoying your new dorm life?
I live in a suite-type dormitory with three other girls. It is a two-storey building. I really like the location. It is beautiful and clean. My dorm is designed for senior students. So I get to learn a lot from them. As I said earlier, this hostel is pretty close to the academic building. So I only have to walk for ten minutes to reach my classroom. We have a lot of cafes like Starbucks all around the campus. So it is pretty easy to buy stuff. I really like the vending machines here, they are fun to use!
Do you plan to do an internship in the US?
I would love to but I cannot participate in a paid internship. My visa does not allow me to make money during my stay in the US. However, I can do some unpaid internships to gain experience. Moreover, I am also not allowed to drive even though I have a driver’s license. It is really sad but it is what it is!
Have you made any friends in the US already?
There are so many international students here. In the first few days, we had an orientation program where we all met each other. I have made some great friends here. They are from various countries like Ireland, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Romania, Bolivia, Brazil, and many more. We get along really well because all of us are going through the same things here. We all had experiences of similar culture shocks.
Do you find American culture interesting? Can you give us an example of a culture shock that you experienced in the US?
Yeah, everybody here is so nice. Even strangers are always amiable towards you. Unlike Russia, people here are always so cheerful and friendly. The other day I was walking down the street when two strangers came up to me and asked where I came from, what I am doing in the US, and what my plans are. Last week, I was sitting in a park near my dorm waiting for my friend when a cute couple with a lovely dog started talking to me. They told a little about themselves, their job, and their little daughter. They also invited me to their home for lunch and as a matter of fact, I will be going to their place today! They told me that they had been a host family to a Norwegian guy who was also an international student here in the US. So, they could connect with me really well. This incident really surprised me because I had never experienced something like this before.
What are your hopes and expectations for this exchange semester?
I have a lot of hopes and plans. Apart from my studies, I have plans to go on several trips. The first one will be during Thanksgiving. I will go to New York and Boston along with another girl from my university and we are going to couch surf. I am really excited about it as I have never done it before.
Would you like to give any advice to the students in Russia who want to study in the US?
I would like to tell them to definitely apply for the YEAR program. It is such a great opportunity to broaden your perspective on almost everything. I have been here for over a month now and I am absolutely mesmerized. It is very important to participate in different events in Russia, be it a seminar or a competition. You should also get involved in volunteering activities. I was a part of the ITMO Buddy System club which gave me a lot of exposure to inter-cultural activities and extracurricular experience. It is important to focus on your all-around development. It is absolutely okay if you fail on your first attempt. I could not qualify on my first attempt, too, but I did it on my second try. I know some people who managed to get in on their third try! So, the major take-home message would be to never give up!
On behalf of the entire ITMO.FAMILY, we wish Alina good luck with the exchange program. Happy studying!
