International Youth Study Russian in Russia and Abroad
International Friendship Clubs have launched a Russian language programme for foreign participants. Language courses are offered in multiple regions of Russia.
In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, young people from Algeria, Egypt, India, Iraq, Cameroon, Colombia, Pakistan, Syria, and Türkiye have joined the courses. During classes, they study general Russian vocabulary, learn grammar, and exchange cultural traditions.
The International Friendship Club of the Kaliningrad Region offers Russian classes for international participants. They learned the alphabet, upper-case letters, and exercised pronunciation.
“It was an interesting and exciting class. Now, I would like to not only learn everyday phrases, but also explore Russian proverbs”, said Maryam Navid from UAE, participant of the IFC of the Kaliningrad Region.
Members of the IFC of the Leningrad Region conducted Russian classes for young people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who were interested in joining the international employment programme for young specialists in Russia called “Alabuga Start”. The classes helped them successfully pass the Russian exam.
International youth also learn Russian abroad. For example, Jules Marcel Keutchanga-Foncha, WYF participant from Cameroon opened a Russian institute in his country.
“I had the honor to represent my country, Cameroon, at two major international events in 2024 organized by Russia: first, at the World Youth Festival, and then during the North Pole Expedition aboard the “50 Let Pobedy” (50 Years of Victory” nuclear icebreaker by Rosatom. Those were two unforgettable events, rich in connections, experience exchange, and emotions. This experience not only reinforced my profound belief in the fact that youth are keepers of a better future, but also showcases all the opportunities available for young people, and the importance of leveraging your capabilities and skills for self-development. That’s exactly why we decided to open a Russian institute in Cameroon, with the aim of truly bridging our countries”, said Jules Marcel Keutchanga-Foncha, head of Russian institute in Cameroon, WYF-2024 participant.
He also noted that learning Russian opens up new opportunities for youth of Cameroon and allows them to receive higher education in Russia, develop academic cooperation, and strengthen relations between Africa and Russia.
Students of the Russian institute include young people from Cameroon. Samba Carol Pierrette Elodie shared that she started learning Russian because she wants to continues her studies in Russia.
“Russia is a large country, famous for its art, amalgamation of cultures and nations, as well as its high educational standards compared to other European countries. I like that Russians nurture their culture and traditions, preserving them. Russian culture and language have been of interest to me for years”, shared Samba Carol Pierrette Elodie from Cameroon.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the World Youth Festival Forum, and in between, international themed assemblies for 2,000 participants will be held under the auspices of the WYF. The first Assembly is scheduled to take place in September 2025 in Nizhny Novgorod. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.