Students of Belgorod State University master new tutoring tools

Training tutors for work with foreigners was conducted at the Centre for Intercultural Communication. Among the organisers were the members of “Welcome to Russia” student club. According to Olesya Prudnikova, the Chair of Student Association, the School of Buddy Volunteers is important for receiving immediate feedback from the students who do not speak Russian well.

Buddy volunteers are not just tutors helping the 1^st year students adapt to university life. They act as mentors-friends who help foreigners escape isolation, overcome language barriers and integrate faster into the student community.

The School programme was scheduled for two days, during which the participants were familiarized with specifics of work with foreigners, structure and activities of international student communities. English language classes, which are essential for international communication, were in the focus.

Among special guests were Prosper Gogor and Guerreira Saul, students representing BelSU International Information Centre. They told about their study experience in the early period, noting the difficulties and problems had they faced. Also they advised tutors on the relevant tasks to be solved to help the foreigners.

It is worth noting that the staff of International Information Centre assist the international students on the study and accommodation issues in five foreign languages - English, Spanish, Arabic, French and Chinese. The InterHelp Telegram channel, containing the most important, interesting and useful information, was launched primarily for the international students.