The first few weeks in a new country are always exciting. Especially when you come from hot Hanoi to Moscow. Exchange students from the Banking Academy of Vietnam, Do Le Trong Hieu and Nguyen Thi Bach Duong, have just begun their journey of getting to know Russia, Financial University, and Russian culture.
For Hieu and Duong, this visit to Russia is their first, and they have already managed to visit Red Square and Kremlin. The architecture of the capital left them in awe:
“This is our first time in Russia, and Moscow has simply charmed us! The buildings here are so beautiful and majestic. We definitely want to take a boat trip along the Moskva River and visit the Bolshoi Theatre. People here are very friendly and welcoming. We thought Muscovites might be reserved, but in reality, we were met with warmth and a readiness to help.
The weather deserves special mention: the Vietnamese students admit they were afraid of the Moscow cold, but the climate turned out to be quite comfortable:
“Yes, it rains sometimes, but we feel comfortable with the current weather here, because it is not hot and humid.
Their first days at the university exceeded all expectations: “When we came to classes, we were given a very warm welcome. Professors and students were kind, we were immediately added to the group chat, and we felt like part of a big family,” the students share.
A particularly highlight was the first-year students initiation ceremony at the Kremlin, organized by Financial University:
“We were absolutely delighted! To find ourselves in the very heart of Moscow at such a grand event is unforgettable. The students erupted in applause when their faculties were called – such energy and unity!
The main challenge the Vietnamese students faced was the language barrier:
“Outside the university, almost no one speaks English, so we often use a translator to buy groceries or ask for directions. But Russians always wait patiently while we try to explain ourselves, and they do their best to help.” The students also noticed a funny detail: instead of “okay” or “I know,” Russians often say a short “uh-huh” – and it’s “so simple and kind of cute in its own way!”
Hieu and Duong also observed with great interest that the escalator etiquette in Russia and Vietnam differs considerably: “In Vietnam, we usually stand on both sides of the elevator, but in Russia all people stand on the right, giving the left side to those who are in a hurry”.
When we asked the students to describe their first impressions in three words, they replied: “Eager, curious and a little confused”. And that little confusion comes from the wonder of a new world opening up before them. With the support of the buddy programme, the attentive staff of the International Cooperation Department, and the friendly professors of Financial University, the students are confident that an exciting journey into the world of knowledge and culture lies ahead.
Financial University is proud to be a home for students from all corners of the world and wishes our Vietnamese friends a bright, productive, and unforgettable study in Russia!
