Our Students Say

 Jan–Jouke Mulder, the Netherlands: “The content of the language course was good, but I wish more out of the box speaking. What else, I think the teaching was excellent. Atmosphere in the class was friendly, respectful and informal. It would be great if the teacher spoke English a bit but though managed to understand each other nicely. What I like most of all is the great friendly family, with whom we could always talk. I really enjoyed myself here. I would recommend the program at “Enjoy Russian” because it is really cheap and well organized in a nice part of Russia”.

Julius Schwartzenberg, the Netherlands: “I took part in two week July course. Our language course included useful words and grammar. We used good audio and video materials. My living conditions were excellent. I was quite free to do what I want. I was also interesting to chart with the hostfamily. I had good cultural program and it was especially interesting to see Kizhi. All volunteers were very helpful; they did an amazing job working with such a large group. The organization and administration was very good. Comparing with what I have seen before in Russia. This is a very strong point of “Enjoy Russian”. I can speak more comfortably now. My active and passive vocabulary are bigger now”.

Piret Koosa, Estonia: “I studied in mini-group of elementary level. Our teacher was nice and patient with us. My living conditions were excellent: very nice hostess, my room was also ok. What about the cultural program I only visited museums and I quite liked them. I like very much the personal attention given to each of the students. I like the program and also the city Ptz. I think it is very good possibility stay in a Russian family to practice the language. I am happy I decided to come!”

Thomas Devos, Belgium: “I took summer Russian course of elementary level. I had a nice time here and I have learned a lot. I like the fact that we played games a bit, but I would like to learn more grammar (dative case). Our cultural program was excellent. We had a lot of choice and I saw beautiful things like Kizhi Island. The volunteers were very sociable and very  helpful. I really like Agata and Victor, we’ve become friends.  Living conditions were also good. I expected worse but I had a really nice apartment and a beautiful room. I would recommend this program to other people because it is a good program!”

Eva Debruyne, Belgium: “During 2 weeks I haven't lean many new things but I have leaned how to use Russian in conversation! We had a lot of conversations in Russian and it is good to speak more fluently. Teaching materials were good and we had interesting creative exercises, but it would be great to study all the cases. My host family was excellent. Tatjana was very friendly and helped me to improve my Russian. I had good food and everything I wanted. The volunteers were excellent. Agata and Victor were very helpful and we practice Russian with them. I would recommend the language school “Enjoy Russian” to lots of people. It is good if you want to learn and to speak Russian and know Russian culture as well”.

Stefan Gabler, Austria: “The Russian course was excellent. My teacher Alya was really great. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Atmosphere in the class was very good. I’m now able to communicate with my host family which was not possible at the beginning. I would recommend this program to other people”.

Lesley Hogg, the USA: “I thought the material was well chosen and appropriate for each certificate level but I wish more difficult exercises in the 1st certificate level. All of my teachers were well-prepared, thoughtful, pleasant to work with and very understanding. I was really impressed with the quality of teaching and I looked forward to every lesson. I won the home stay jackpot! I could hot have asked for a more gracious, helpful, understanding or fun host. I also like that my host was also in her 20’s so we had a lot in common. The excursions I attended were great. I especially enjoyed Kivach. The variety of program was good and the volunteers were very friendly and helpful. They really helped us feel at home in Petrozavodsk. Ksysha spoke to fast but by the end of my stay I was able to keep up and understand her! I love this program! I definitely  feel that my Russian improved in the 6 short weeks I was here. I will definitely recommend this program to other students at my university”.

Emil Johansson, Sweden: “The content of the language course was excellent and teaching was very good and varied. I liked very good exercises and outside classes for all kind of people. I will recommend this program to other people because of small groups, friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to meet Russian volunteers”.

Petra Steigerova, Czech Republic: “My teacher’s leading was excellent and the training course was logic and structured. The course was absolutely appropriate to my level. I'd like to thank Vera for the enjoyable classes and the present ;). I am happy I had a chance to spend two lovely weeks in Petrozavodsk. Thank you all for such work. I will definitely recommend “Enjoy Russian”. My Russian has significantly improved here”.

Nina Hallenstvedt, Norway: “I took part in 2 week Russian course and I studied in the mini-group. Everything was excellent including teaching, living conditions and organizations of the program. Cultural program was also good. Alja is a very patient teacher, she is good at teaching and explaining. But sometimes I'd like to have a little bit more games instead of grammar. The atmosphere in the class as fun and friendly and I have learned a lot!”

Student X: “Small group was excellent for learning the Russian language and students in my group were at the same level. Teaching was excellent: multiple teaching methods and good materials. May be it was a little bit too much information (but it can be also good – time will show). I lived in a nice family. For the beginner it was good to live in a family who speaks English and Finnish. I liked the cultural program, especially Kizhi was great. The volunteers were really nice and all of them was helpful. The program was very well organized from the very beginning (applying process). Thank you! My impression about the program is excellent, I would recommend it because of: homestay; good organization, talented teachers and excellent way to improve your Russian language skills!”

Daniel Pinchock, the USA: “Both teachers were very friendly and helpful. They were able to help me understand without English. The games we played helped a lot with vocabulary. Living conditions were excellent – I couldn't ask for a better home stay. Kirill was so friendly and helpful I consider him family now. I didn't spend much time with the excursions. Volunteers were friendly but at times I felt uncomfortable with them. Dasha does an amazing job planning and preparing everything. Keep up the great work! My general impression about the program – excellent! At first I was concerned, but now I am considering returning. I am completely satisfied with my stay. The most valuable thing I got out of this trip is understanding. Everyone here is so helpful and friendly it helped to built my confidence about speaking”.

Shivali Sitters, United Kingdom: “The content of the language course was excellent and really structured. The quality of handouts was very good. I had three teachers during the course, so I can say that the 2nd and the 3rd teachers did a brilliant work. Ivan and Nadezhda were undoubtedly the best family. They were so kind and so helpful. I had a lovely room in a great location. I can evaluate my progress in Russian as “очень хорошо”. I learned a lot from this Russian program and I really enjoyed it. There are so many interesting students here”.

Gerald Kern, Austria: “It's a good program: excellent family, volunteers and organization. I like the Russian course. I studied in a group of basic level in July. My teachers were well prepared and patient, they explained everything very clear”.

Luis Munoz De Laborde, Spain: “The Russian course was excellent. I have leaned very much. My teacher has help me very much, and has tied all time to get my interest in the subject of the lesson, many times she uses games to make the learning process easier. I visited Kizhi, Valaam, Kivach waterfall – very good experience and very good organization, but the excursion to St. Petersburg was organized badly. I like volunteers. Kira was very friendly and helpful. The organization and administration was excellent. Everything is great, the staff at the school is very friendly”.

Victoria Mueller, Austria: “I took part in 4 week July course of basic level and I studied in mini-group. In the last week I feel tired and maybe it would be great to have one free day at the end of the course  Atmosphere in the class was very, very, very :) I would recommend this program: 1. because of you Dasha I felt so comfortable and you took care about us all the time and I knew that you will always help us. 2. Petrozavodsk is one of the nicest cities I have ever been in. I like walking around here. The other students were of the same age like me. Thank you very much!”

Georgia Forth, United Kingdom: “The teaching was good and the content of the language course was excellent. I had a good family, kind and helpful. They made an effort to speak Russian to me. The cultural program was good, but it could be less expensive. Our volunteers were helpful and friendly. Tanya and Victor in particular made a real effort to spend time with us. I would recommend your Russian program to other people”.

Hellen Lilley, United Kingdom: “The Russian language course was very good, especially near the end when we studied idiomatic phrases and colloquial language because that is something we don’t study at home. Both teachers were very good and they explained things well without speaking any English in class, which was good. My family was excellent. Valentina took me to swim in lakes and to a relative's party at a dacha and to her son's wedding. I felt very well looked after. I most enjoyed the excursions to Valaam and Kivach because they were interesting and the the tours were in Russian. The  picnic with international food was fun. Some volunters were very helpful and gave advice about Petrozavodsk and helped my Russian. The organization was excellent. The only thing I was not happy about that I applied for a normal-size group but it turned out that not enough people had applied so  I had to pay extra for a mini-group. But adapt from this everything was fine. I would highly recommend this Russian program because it is very good. I really enjoyed the whole visit!”

Rolf Kyburz, Switzerland: “I took part  in July course of elementary level. Unfortunately there was no course according to my level. As for me it was very difficult to follow the lessons, but teaching was good. Living conditions also were good, but I had no TV-set at home to watch Russian TV. The volunteers are excellent. Thank you for the patience!”