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“My goal is to learn Russian at a high level and become a valued professional in my field”
Purev-Ochir Lkhamsuren, a student from Mongolia, has recently graduated from the Saint Petersburg State University’s preparatory department. This year he successfully enrolled to the postgraduate programme “Applied Macroeconomics, Economic Policy and State Regulation”. Purev-Ochir shared his own experience of studying Russian at the preparatory department and told us about his future plans.
Why did you decide to study Russian?
I started studying Russian in high school. Back then I spent four years learning it. But the quality of education was not good enough, and after I had left school I forgot Russian almost immediately. But after graduating from the university I decided to start studying Russian again. That is why I took summer Russian courses at the Russian House in Ulaanbaatar. There I found out that I had an opportunity to have my studies in Russian universities funded by the Russian government. So I decided to try to win this scholarship. I had prepared for the competition for a year and eventually I got the opportunity to study in Russia. I study Russian because Russia has a lot of amazing professionals in many spheres including economics, which I was really keen to studying.
Why did you choose our University?
We could choose up to six universities and then set our priorities. Since I wanted to study at one of Russia’s most prestigious universities and in the most beautiful city, I put the St Petersburg State University as my first choice. My choice was also based on the fact that this university has a rich history and a high international rating. I was actually afraid that the St Petersburg University would not choose me! Fortunately I was lucky.
Have you encountered any difficulties during your studies? If so, what helped you to cope with them?
Last academic year I studied at the St Petersburg State University preparatory department remotely. Of course, learning a foreign language online is not easy. But thanks to the teachers who worked very closely with us and have always helped us, I did not have any serious issues.
If you have lived in Saint Petersburg, what are your impressions of the city? How did you spend your free time, where have you been?
For now I am in Mongolia but I definitely want to come to Saint Petersburg as soon as possible and visit all of its beautiful places. I have heard and read about the Hermitage museum a lot, and I think it is a great museum. So first of all I want to visit the Winter Palace.
Tell us about your study programme. What did you like about it?
At the preparatory department, we studied Russian at a relatively high level, higher than other groups. I was very happy about it because I wanted to learn a much Russian as possible. Our group had wonderful teachers, and thanks to them I was able to improve my Russian as much as I wanted.
Which key skills did you acquire while studying at our University?
There are many great professionals in Russia, including those in the field of economics. Of course, this means that there are many wonderful books written in Russian. I really love to read and after I had learned how to find the right information in Russian, I started reading my favourite books in Russian.
Has the pandemic influenced the study process in any way?
Yes, of course. For example, I had to study remotely. I really wanted to come to Saint Petersburg last year but I could not do it because of the pandemic.
What advice would you give to foreign students who want to come to Russia?
I do not have any advice about Russia, as I have not yet been able to come there. But I have a tip about Russian language: don not give up even if at first you have trouble learning it. Though it is not easy, it is a beautiful and fascinating language.
What plans do you have for the future?
In this academic year I got enrolled into the enrolled to the postgraduate programme ‘Applied Macroeconomics, Economic Policy and State Regulation’ at the St Petersburg State University. I set some goals for myself. One of them is to learn Russian at the highest level. And, of course, I want to become a good economist. After completing my Master’s degree, I plan to return to Mongolia and to contribute into its development with the knowledge and skills that I acquire in Russia.