The program they have been following during the current school year is a Master in Science program in Tribology and Surface Engineering (TSE) taught in English by faculty members of the National Engineering School of Saint-Etienne, France (ENISE) where Elvira and Ruslan are enrolled as Eramus+ exchange students, and of the National Mining School of Saint-Etienne, France (ENSMSE).

«Core subjects of the program cover topics which are explored in depth in elective classes and through laboratory work», says Ruslan, «and after our graduation from the KNRTU-KAI and the ENISE, we may identify and explore interesting career opportunities such as Research & Development in mechanics and surface engineering for mechanical industries or PhD in the field of Materials, Mechanical and Surface Science and Engineering».

TSE program-related images: left: Surface treatment; middle: Microstructural consequences measured by Electron Backscatter Diffraction; right: Design of novel experiments to characterize the micro-mechanical behavior.

«I think that a common challenge for international students is adapting to new academic expectations and standards, especially for us whose first language is not English», says Elvira. She continues: «I've noticed for myself, and I think it’s all the same for many international students, that while I have thoughtful and interesting ideas, what I want to communicate might not translate well in a foreign language. That’s why it would be helpful I think for the upcoming international students to take a course in Communication to enhance their abilities in English and enable them to communicate well internationally».

«Most instructors in the ENISE and in the ENSMSE tend to be understanding and sympathetic to our concerns as international students. We may feel sometimes intimidated particularly because of the foreign speaking environment, but our feeling is really to play a central role for the Schools hosting us seeking to internationalize», says Ruslan.

Below: The Fall 2016 International Student Welcome Party at the ENISE. Prior to the beginning of the curriculum courses, all of us were offered a two-week Intensive French Language and Cultural Program organized by the International Relations team of the ENISE.

«It must be stressed», continues Ruslan, «that the ENISE has an extremely competent and highly motivated unit of International Relations». «The support provided by the ENISE-IRO team began before our arrival with the pre-arrival information helping us prepare for our studies and life in France. The international student advisers are qualified to provide the most current immigration advice and to advise on housing and health-related issues», says Elvira. Ruslan continues: «You can always identify where to go for support. It's out there, and there are people to help».

Below: Elvira and Ruslan presenting, with other Russian students, their respective universities in the framework of the International Week-2016 organized by the ENISE

«In addition to academic engagement, there are countless events and activities that provide us opportunities to meet and develop relationships with domestic and other international students. Most are free to join, while sporting events can be attended for low student pricing», say Elvira and Ruslan.

Below: International Student Welcome Party at the City Hall of Saint-Etienne

Below : Welcome Event for International Students organized by AGERA (Association of French Grandes Ecoles of the Rhone-Alpes Region) in October 2016

Our ENISE tutors introduced us to the French-Russian Association of Saint-Etienne. Among its members, there are engineers, artists, doctors, teachers, lawyers, financiers and just interesting people whom we had the opportunity to be acquainted at the New Year 2017 cocktail party. It was a chance for us to share with our hosts Russian and Tatar folklore singing. They were delightful and we enjoyed our time together! What a great international experience but also a huge artistic success for us!

Below: Elvira and Ruslan performing a Tatar folklore song at the French-Russian Association’s New Year party