On October18-25, 2015, following an official invitation, Larisa Novikova, Assistant Professor at the Department of Linguistics and Translation, and Daria Borisova, a first-year master student, joined the International Resident Advisor Symposium in Strasbourg, Karlsruhe. The trip was funded by Studentenwerk Karlsruhe and CNOUS.

NVSU representatives made a report on the academic facilities and structures and support provided to students in NVSU. The audience was particularly interested to learn about the availability of the student residence hall, types and amount of university scholarships, and student life and events in NVSU.

The symposium program was very varied and included reports on student support facilities in Mexico (Monterrey), France (Paris, Strasbourg), United States (Virginia), Germany (Karlsruhe), visits to Studentenwerk and CNOUS student hostels and canteens, discussions and share of practices.

The symposium participants also joined a number of cultural events, including a visit to Strasbourg Cathedral, a variety of tours to the historic areas of Strasbourg and Karlsruhe, a visit an open air ecological museum, a trip to the city of Colmar, famous for its medieval flavor, and a tourwith Alsace wine-tasting. Such an extensive cultural program was a great opportunity to connect with the local history and learn more about German and French culture combined in the unique city of Strasbourg.

The symposium participants were particularly impressed with the visit to the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly (Strasbourg). Here they were given a report on human rights in Europe and participated in a discussion on the role played by the Council of Europe in the European political life.

During the symposium, the participants discussed the outcomes of the joint project devoted to the translation of Studentenwerk Karlsruhe website, prospects of further cooperation and potential joint projects, including student cultural exchange trips.