The International Students Council (ISC) at Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering won the "Video" category in the "Russia Without Filters" intercultural competition. The contest was organized by the Association of International Students with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
In 2026, more than 250 international students from various regions of Russia took part in the competition. They submitted their creative works across three categories: "Photo Reportage," "Video," and "Essay." The project aims to foster intercultural dialogue, support the creative initiatives of international students, and provide insight into their personal experiences of living and studying in Russia.
For the competition, activists from the SPbGASU International Student Council (ISC) submitted a video titled "Together beyond language barriers: the SPbGASU international family." The video recounts the history and development of the Council, which for many years has helped international students adapt to university life, overcome language barriers, and make friends with people from various countries and cultures.
The video is based on archival footage from 2018, supplemented by recent interviews with activists who were involved in the early days of the student organization. The creators reconnected with those who took part in the initial initiatives to learn about their subsequent life and educational paths, the significance the Council’s work held for them, and how the organization has evolved over the years.
Some of the footage in our video was filmed back in 2018, when the Council was just beginning its journey. These were the first initiatives, the first events, and the first steps toward creating what has now become an important part of university life. Years later, we revisited this story and met with those who were there at the very inception of the ISC.
"It is especially valuable that most of them continue to develop the Council to this day. They joined the Council back when they were bachelor's students, went on to pursue master’s degrees, and are now PhD students at SPbGASU—all while remaining part of our team. What began as a small group of like-minded individuals with a big idea has grown into a genuine international community, where students from diverse cultures find support, friendship, and opportunities for development," noted Antonia Angelova, Chair of the SPbGASU International Students Council.
Over the course of its existence, the Council has evolved from its first event in 2018 to the implementation of large-scale educational, cultural, and social initiatives. In six years of active work, it has organized approximately 420 events. Today, the Council hosts more than 60 events in various formats each year.
One of the key principles guiding the organization’s work remains the continuity between generations. Students who took part in the initial projects continue to share their experience with new activists, preserving established traditions while developing new areas of activity.
Today, the SPbGASU International Students Council brings together representatives from various countries, creating a space for intercultural communication, mutual support, and professional and personal development.
Winning the "Russia Without Filters" contest served as recognition of the work done by ISC activists and stands as a significant achievement for the university’s international student community.