Gleb Konovalov - Bachelor Student From Russia
Yana Immis
Meet Gleb Konovalov. He chose Germany and Canada to study abroad. He will come back to Russia after. Why? You can read his study in Germany success story here.
| Place of Birth | Novosibirsk, Russia |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Russian |
| Where did you live? | Novosibirsk, Tomsk (Russia), Vancouver (Canada) |
| Education Level Prior to Relocation | Foundation Diploma |
| Reason of moving to Germany | Bachelor Program |
| When did you move? | 2018 |
| How old were you? | 20 |
| Are you still in Germany? | Yes |
| What is your current occupation? | 1st Year Bachelor Student |
| What is your future goal? | Master Degree in Russia or USA, Work in Construction Industry |
| Would you like to stay in Germany? | No |
Chapter 1: Home
I was born in Novosibirsk. My childhood was great. I went to school, just like everyone else, until university admission changed everything upside down.
I was always engaged in sport: swimming, martial arts & tennis. Five days a week, 9 years in a row playing tennis got me qualified for the Russian national championships.
To prepare for state exams and get into the university, I had to give it up before graduation. I had to set my priorities right and sport wasn’t among those.
In Russia, sadly, you rarely select a major out of your passion. What is a good bet on the market in Siberia? Oil & Gas: Gazprom, Lukoil, Rosneft. My acquaintances work in Oil & Gas; my friends have studied Oil & Gas; children of my parents’ friends are going to study at Oil & Gas faculty. Literally, either you study this, or you will go abroad.
My father’s dream was for me to study abroad, but I chose to stay.
I was admitted to Tomsk State University. In Russia, the perception of distance is different from the Western World. I was studying in a neighboring Siberian city, which is just a 270 km train ride. With a lot of excitement and hopes, I started my Bachelor in Petroleum Engineering.
Foreign education is very different from Russian. We have a great school base, with a very strong math level, however university teaching approach in some instances is outdated: theoretical base & books written in the USSR. Since the programs are not innovative and not frequently changed, you cannot apply the knowledge in the workplace.
From the first impression, I knew that I would not want to work in this industry. The market is highly saturated and if you do not come from a family associated with this business, the perspectives are rather limiting.
I was passively attending because I was not motivated. Learning by heart was not the education I was searching for. Moreover, I couldn’t find common grounds and shared interests with my classmates - they came from a different background.
I shortly figured out how to pass the courses without putting much effort and, surprisingly, I was nominated for a scholarship. But I did not want to stay there. Working in Siberian villages in - 50°C in Winter? No, thank you. This is not my dream job.
My father was right all the way. My parents offered me an alternative: to study abroad.
Sadly, I disregarded the English language all my life. We were choosing between English-speaking countries for me to be in a fully English-speaking environment. Back then, I was not aware you could study in Europe in English as well.
I could choose between the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. I disregarded England right away. Many friends of mine studied and passed everything there without taking it seriously. I also could not understand that accent.
My main aim to study abroad was to learn and to develop. Since Business and Entrepreneurship originated in North America, I compared tuition fees of the USA and Canada and chose Vancouver as my study destination.
I signed up for IELTS Test within a week. I only had a few months to have an intensive English course: I found a tutor and online materials to get my English to the conversational level from scratch.
I was granted admission in a Foundation program, because of two reasons: English and 11 years of education. Foundation program is like a pre-Bachelor. Russians mostly have to go through it because in the majority of countries, education is 12 years.
Chapter 2: Abroad
My English was weak. My English was so weak. The first week in Canada was like a comedy TV show.
I had no internet connection or an available sim card upon arrival. I only knew the name, address of the college and the fact, that it was located somewhere on the hill. Instead of figuring this all out by public transport, I took a taxi. The taxi driver and I understood each other with a sign language. He took me to the correct destination, and I was very happy, but not for long.
I arrived at 18:00 O’clock one the day before the official campus opening and it was a major mistake. Our campus had 8-floor library, free computers, gym, swimming pool, basketball, football and tennis courts. Wonderful! I couldn’t enter though.
There was no one there and the main office was closed. I didn’t know what to do since I had no internet and no sim card…
…so I sat down beside my luggage thinking what am I doing with my life and hoping someone would pass by. And someone passed by! That did not solve the problem: I couldn’t move in that day.
I was given a great 1-star hostel for one night. It was Sunday and I couldn’t go out anywhere because everything had already been closed, including shops – I felt miserable at that moment. And all that after a 10-hour flight.
Horrible.
My grandmother stashed some snacks in my luggage, before the flight and that’s all I had to eat.
Thank you.
The next day when I finally moved in, the adventure continued. I was astonished because pillows and bed sheets were not there. There was nothing in my room – DIY (do it yourself) – you have to buy everything yourself. How do I buy everything myself if I can’t even figure out how to buy a bus ticket?!
I tried to figure out the bus ticket purchase but that didn’t work out and I gave up. And here I was, entering the bus without the ticket. With puppy face I talked to the driver in my great English, and, he said: “No ticket? No problem. Just have a seat”.
Interesting.
1.5 years spent in Canada were fun, but I didn’t really make friends with Canadians. Thank God I found Russian speakers. They gave me a map and directions and baby-sitted me throughout the initial weeks. I made a Canadian friend and I am very proud of it (Canadian-Russian, to be precise).
What can you find in Canada? Relatively easy visa, equality, and freedom. In my case, I was far away from home and I did not fit in this culture, consequently, I was bored.
I never planned to stay there anyway. I was happy to be back home for vacations and I was reluctant to go back to Vancouver.
I decided to transfer to a university closer to home and I chose Germany. Benefit for parents: Canada cost 30% more than studies in Germany.
We often travelled through Munich to Austria for skiing. I liked it. The culture here is closer to Russian, moreover, people understand English. My parents were not against my decision at all. They had their own reasons: shopping, beer, friends.
It went not as smooth as I had expected. But, looking back now, it wasn’t that bad after all. I have lived here for a year now and if I made it, then you can do it as well.
Here is the list of important things to know before you move to study in Germany:
1. The Language
All bureaucratic documents are in German! People working in the immigration office barely speak English (rather surprising, considering they only work with foreigners). My first experience there:
- “Hello. Do you speak English?”
- “Do you speak German?”
- “No, that’s why I ask you if you speak English.”
- “I speak, but I would prefer you to speak German.”
Of course, he was joking, but I realized, alright. People are very proud of their language and culture here. Even if they speak English, they pretend they don’t – to make you learn the language.
It is an incredibly difficult language. I always confuse English and German with the order of words and logic.
Advice for foreigners: learn basic phrases in German. The more German you speak, the longer your visa will be.
2. Working Hours
Shops close at 20:00 O’clock during the week and nothing is open on Sundays or public holidays (so many in the South of Germany). You can not do grocery shopping or buy clothes – no one is working!
You have to schedule an appointment per phone or email to go to a doctor. Sometimes, you need to wait weeks for that. If you really feel bad, they will ask you how bad. Irrelevant of your answer, you will be seated in the waiting room to wait for your turn.
Advice for foreigners: plan, schedule appointments in advance and have a stash of medicine at home.
3. Accommodation
To get accommodation you need to go through nine circles of hell!
Advice for foreigners: do not have any dreams or expectations at the beginning. Do not aim for a flat! Take what is available and start with a room in a shared flat (WG-Zimmer). It doesn’t really matter where – just take it!!! You can become picky only after you have secured yourself an initial offer.
Chapter 3: Back Home
Many people are not happy with their decisions or life choices, but what always surprised me, they do nothing about it.
Since I was small, I wanted to try anything once – 3 types of sport, 3 different majors, 3 different countries, 3 different jobs. Trial and error. You will not know until you try.
Throughout my studies, I was actively involved in sports and I signed up for some jobs. I helped my father with advertising and catalogues for his company in the construction industry. Moreover, I worked in Canada and in Germany in the gastronomic industry.
It was fun and I recommend that everyone tries it. This experience helped me understand that I never again want to work in the gastronomic industry.
I am 20 years old now and I will be done with my German Bachelor Degree in 2 years. Thanks to education, travel and work experiences, I have already made up my mind and I wish you the same.
Canada and Germany are two great countries, but, for me, life is where my home is. I want to live in Russia and I will consider doing a Master Degree in Moscow and connect my future with Construction Industry. Should studying abroad come across my mind in the future, I would go to the USA.
Travel everywhere, try everything, take the jobs, try different industries. And the most important: visit the country you like, before you apply to a university there.
