International Students Union

Project Overview

The International Students Union at MGIMO University supports the integration, well-being, and empowerment of international students. The initiative addresses challenges such as culture shock, language barriers, unfamiliar academic systems, and limited social networks that affect student retention. It provides orientation workshops, peer mentoring, counseling sessions, and cultural exchange events to strengthen community engagement and resilience. The program also advocates for equitable access to university resources and collaborates with embassies and campus partners, promoting intercultural dialogue and advancing SDGs 4, 10, and 17.

Project Impact

During the Millennium Fellowship, the International Students Union exceeded its goals by engaging over 200 international students through workshops, mentoring, cultural events, and ambassador lectures. Counseling support reached 120 students, contributing to a 25% improvement in campus adaptation and reduced stress levels based on survey feedback. The project also successfully hosted five cultural exchange events, including an Ambassador Dialogue featuring the Ecuadorian Ambassador that attracted over 150 attendees. Collaborations with the University Student Union and three external partners, including embassies, strengthened the project’s sustainability. Despite challenges such as administrative delays and budget limitations, the initiative built a strong foundation for long-term student support and well-being.

Millennium Fellows Involved

Sofia Semenova, Sujal Bhandari, Adam Drdoš, Alina Karapetova, Anastasiia Nazarova, Anna Aybar Orlova, Anna Uzhegova, Hovhannes Margaryan, Juan Ruiz Gonzales, Rajat Palaswadikar, Yachao Dong