Submit Request 
The interest in learning Russian is growing in many parts of the world, as is the desire to get a degree at St Petersburg University. The Preparatory Course of St Petersburg University helps international applicants to prepare for the degree programmes, which are taught in Russian, and to acquire bachelor's and master's degrees. Alan Villalobo is a 19-year-old Preparatory Course student from Buenos Aires (Argentina), who will soon go on to study at the Institute of History. In this interview, Alan explains why he chose to study Russian, how his tutors have helped him to understand the language better, and what his plans are for the future.
I had always wanted to learn Russian, at least since I was 13. At that time, I started reading books about history, and, in my opinion, Russian history was the best, so it got all my attention. Also, I started researching a lot of information about the country and its culture, and I was just 13 or 14 years old. Russians always laugh when I say ‘I fell in love with Russia’, but it’s certainly true, and I haven’t changed my mind since then. Unfortunately, in my country Russian is not a popular language at all. It is almost impossible to learn it if you don’t live in the centre of Buenos Aires, and I wasn’t anywhere near there. But I managed to study it for one year in 2019, at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Buenos Aires.
How did you find out about St Petersburg University’s Preparatory Course?
I was told about the Preparatory Course at this centre, when I was a student there. They encouraged me to study here in Russia, and I’m really grateful to them for that, because they also helped me with the registration. I started looking at all the options, and St Petersburg University was in first place, because I knew it was the best university in the humanities, and I’m still amazed that I am really studying here.
You have been studying online. How is the course organised?
During the first months, there were classes almost every day, from Monday through Saturday. Most of the time we practised grammar, but my teacher, Daria, also made us play some games, so it wasn’t tedious. She’s an awesome teacher. And for me four hours a day was more than fine, as I enjoy studying Russian, so it wasn’t boring at all.
Were you concerned about having the classes online? What were your expectations? Which of them have been met and which haven’t?
I was really worried about starting the course online, since I had had this experience before in Argentina when I had done distance learning for some time, but without a successful result. Despite my bad experience, though, I still had high expectations, because learning Russian motivates me, so I tried to get comfortable with studying this way. Well, it has turned out to be pretty cool: it isn’t monotonous and I have been very comfortable with the classes – I’ve even managed not to miss a single one.
How much do you think the Preparatory Course has helped you to learn Russian?
In the past five months I have developed a very good level of Russian, so I’m able to communicate pretty well. I’m still not fluent, but I can have normal conversations with my friends and I understand almost everything when somebody is talking to me. Of course, the first month here in Russia was tough, going to the administration and not understanding most things, and talking to my teacher when she was trying to help me with everything, but it was fun! I was alone when I came here, but later on my groupmates came and I helped them with all the paperwork. Now, after living in Russia for three months, communication and understanding is way easier! So, all I needed was patience.
Are the teaching methods in Russia any different from the ones that are used in Argentina?
That’s a very interesting and hard question. I can’t really come to any sort of general conclusion, but in terms of learning languages, they are pretty similar. All my life I have studied English in my country, and the way of teaching Russian here isn’t any different. But I can’t really say anything about studying a subject like history or literature. These are subjects I’ll have later. I’m sure there are some differences, though, and I’m really excited to start studying history here in Russia!
What are your goals for the future? Are you going to continue to learn Russian?
In the near future, I hope to start working, and start making a life for myself here. Because I’m completely in love with Russia, and especially with St Petersburg, during these months I decided I want to live here for a long time. And yes, I really want to speak Russian fluently – that’s my greatest desire. I hope to finish the Preparatory Course with a level of B2 (at least) and then continue to study the language on my own.
Please say a few words to our prospective students.
Be patient, pay attention, and don’t panic if your Russian is still bad – you’ll gradually begin to understand everything and you’ll start talking freely with time. Also be patient if you are going to live in a hall of residence. There is a lot of paperwork to do, and the administration can be very strict.
So good luck, you’ll do well, Russian is a beautiful language, and Russia is a beautiful country!