At the "Tsar-Carpenter" monument
In October, the Department of Intercultural Communication at Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering once again opened its doors to international students in the preparatory program. Over the coming year, students from China, Bangladesh, Morocco, Pakistan, India, Mali, and other countries will study the Russian language and explore this magnificent city, its rich culture, and its history.
On October 22, international students, accompanied by Anastasia Gubaidullina, an Associate Professor at the Department of Intercultural Communication, marked the start of the academic year with an engaging tour of the historic center of the "Northern Capital." As part of a module on the theme of "The City," the students explored various architectural styles, the network of rivers and canals, and iconic cultural landmarks, including museums, cathedrals, and bookstores. The future engineers even had the chance to examine the clockwork mechanism of the Duma Tower. Thanks to the beautiful weather, they were able to enjoy the city’s autumnal panorama, stroll through the Mikhailovsky and Summer Gardens, and experience St Petersburg firsthand—going well beyond what they had learned in their textbooks.
Irina Chechik with students in the St Petersburg Metro
On 24 October, another group of international students from the preparatory department set out on a walking tour of the city, accompanied by Irina Chechik, an Associate Professor at the Department of Intercultural Communication. The tour began in the metro, at Admiralteyskaya—one of the most beautiful stations in the St Petersburg underground. The students examined the colorful mosaics in the station’s vestibule and learned about the large-scale construction of the Admiralty Shipyard, the ambitious plans of Peter the Great, and the legendary Russian explorers of the past. Later, the group strolled along Nevsky Prospect and reached building No. 14, where they read a famous inscription preserved from the time of the Siege of Leningrad: "Citizens! During an artillery bombardment, this side of the street is the most dangerous." During the tour, the instructor also pointed out another plaque, as well as shell marks on the columns of Saint Isaac’s Cathedral—silent witnesses to those tragic days in the city’s history—and spoke about the heroic defense of Leningrad.
The students were impressed by the monumental nature of the architectural ensemble of Palace Square, the enigmatic Atlantes, and the austere beauty of the Neva River. Near the walls of the Admiralty, their instructor showed them antique engravings and spoke about shipbuilding during the era of Peter I. The students took a particular interest in the "Tsar-Carpenter" monument, located on the embankment. They were genuinely surprised to learn about Peter I’s industriousness, his thirst for new knowledge, and his active involvement in the reforms he initiated. The striking presence of the grand "Bronze Horseman" monument further deepened the foreign students' impressions of the historical figure of Russia’s first emperor. As they examined this legendary monument, the students shared their thoughts and feelings: they sensed the immense power and strength of Peter I’s personality, the vast contribution he made to the formation and consolidation of the Russian state, and the profound gratitude felt by his descendants.
The international students from both groups were impressed by their walk through the city center; they took many photographs and expressed a desire to continue exploring the history, culture, and architecture of Saint Petersburg outside the lecture halls.
