Interview with Russian student learning in Malta

How long did you stay in Malta?

I’ve been in Malta for 2 weeks and today is my last lesson. I feel sorry, I don’t want to go back to Russia because Malta is like a small paradise. It’s like an open-air museum and I have left Russia when it was 28 degrees below zero and I came here when it is 15 degrees plus it’s like another planet where people are cheerful, full of energy and full of life. The sun is shining, the weather is fine and warm, and it is quite opposite to Russia. I love Malta and I fell in love with Malta.

How is Russia different from Malta?

I’m 20 years old and I have never heard about Malta. My mum’s colleague has a daughter, she studied here twice and she told her mother about her experience, feelings and emotions and my mother asked me if I wanted to go to Malta and to study in one of the best English schools. I’ve said yes, yes, I want to go to Malta. Then I read about Malta and I learnt that it’s an island and it was a British colony.

And how did you choose this school?

My mum’s colleague’s daughter studied here twice, and she gave a very positive review and that’s why I came. I didn’t look for another school.

How was your experience at NSTS?

Hmm. I feel much more confident. I feel very lucky to be here because I have an opportunity to speak with native English speakers and foreigners from other countries. Teachers are excellent and they explain everything when I ask them. I like it very much because it is a great opportunity to speak English and to try to be like a native. Two weeks just flew by. In Russia I don’t have the opportunity to speak a lot because Russians don’t speak English very well. So, I tried to create a little English world in my head and immerse into English.

Do you need English for your studies?

Yes, my major is translations and interpretation and I want to become a translator for Russian and English. I haven’t decided yet what kind of translations I want to do in my future, but this experience has given me a great boost that I’m on the right path.

So, your level of English is already very advanced, but you still found this course helpful?

Yes, my level is B2+ but my teacher also took exercises from level C1. The course was very helpful because it gave me more confidence to speak English.

Did you come here alone?

Yes, alone. It’s my second time abroad and my first time being alone. I was a little bit afraid but now I got an experience. I am more confident and more independent.

Was it difficult to connect with other people?

Yeah, in the beginning I communicated with my friends in Russia but then I tried to speak less Russian because I wanted to improve my English. I met great people at the school and made friends from Poland, from Japan, from Brazil and I’ve heard a lot of different accents.

What would you recommend to other students in Russia?

I would recommend switching their life to the language they want to master. Just change your phone setting switch them to English for example. Personally, I do everything in English, I wake up and start thinking about my day and what I’m going to do in English or when I’m walking in the street, I practise my English by observing but naming things in English. It is important to think in English. For example, I do Yoga in English. I listen to English instructions and watch YouTube channels. I subscribed to an enormous amount of accounts on Instagram an VK and everything I put down in my notebook and revise after 7 days and then a month to helps me remembering all new words. Just to create your world, your own little world in your head.

And how differs learning English in Russia from your course at NSTS Malta?

It’s quite different and much more effective. The way of teaching and the work in class is different with a different approach to students. I like it when there are less students in a group. We have more opportunity to speak to express our thoughts. At home it is more about listening to the teacher. When there are only 6 or less students there is so much more speaking time and you can really connect to the teacher and he can see what I need to practise. In my current class we are only 4 students. Less students is definitely better!

Would you come back to Malta?

Honestly, I have thought about it. A little problem for Russian is to find a job after graduation because when you apply for a job you must have working experience but how can I get work experience if I graduated from university and I don’t have it. I have heard that Malta offers a great opportunity to get working experience and it would also be an international work experience so even more beneficial. I haven’t decided yet whether I want to live in Russia or abroad but first, I have to graduate and then I will decide.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience?

I don’t know. Just like, it’s like a dream being here. Because I lived in my head in my little English world and then I’m in the real world. It’s quite different. And I don’t want to go back to Russia. It’s a pity. English is my life. Like my native language and I want to learn and learn every day.

Vlada chose this course: Intensive General English.
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