BelSU International Students Explore the Culture and History of Russia

As part of the festivities, two local enterprises, along with the International Information Centre of the Department of International Cooperation at Belgorod National Research University (BelSU), organized engaging excursions for students of the preparatory department.

During their visit to the Yablonov Fortress City, international students delved into the history of the Belgorod defensive line, discovering the lives and daily routines of those who served there in the 17th century. They learned about the uniforms and weaponry used by soldiers of that era. Participants also had the opportunity to explore the secrets of ironworking, try on chainmail armour, helmets, and kaftans – traditional garments worn by Russian fortress defenders – and engage in competitions testing their dexterity and accuracy.

At Klyuchi Regional Park, students followed a scenic walking route, appreciating the natural beauty of central Russia. They expanded their vocabulary in Russian while learning about the traditions, customs, and everyday items used by people in the region 150-200 years ago. The excursion also immersed them in Russian folklore, introducing them to iconic characters such as Baba Yaga, Koschei the Deathless, and Zmey-Gorynych. The excursions included various tasks: students assembled puzzles featuring elements of traditional peasant life, searched for “intruder” items in traditional huts, learned letters from the Slavic alphabet, identified the purposes of various tools and utensils, and completed photo assignments.

The BelSU Institute of Intercultural Communication and International Relations hosted a quiz titled "Do You Know Russia?" initiated annually by the preparatory department. During this session, international students were introduced to historical facts and archival documents. The lecture was delivered by Associate Professor Nikolai Fomichev, who discussed the significance of the word “Russia” across different languages and highlighted Belgorod’s monuments. He also covered the restoration of educational institutions in the city during and after the Great Patriotic War. Additionally, and presented a collective monograph titled “State and Law in the Conditions of Wars and Sanctions” (2025), co-authored with colleagues from Belarus, Serbia, and Russia. Students actively participated by asking questions, solving crosswords, and showcasing their ethnographic knowledge in Russian.