Intense Math training in two wonderful semesters in Moscow. Past Review

By Dian Y (Math, The College of William and Mary) for

Independent University of Moscow: Math in Moscow

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I myself really enjoy the experience in the Math in Moscow program here. I have to mention that I was also here in the program for last semester. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to extend it to a full year instead of staying for just a semester. I did not feel the culture shock at all in the beginning, really. First, I find everyone in the dorm speaks English. Second, they are mostly familiar with the American pop culture. I had an illusion that there are no culture differences at all. It was a good thing to feel when I first arrived. But later when I get to really know them, I can find new things everyday. The differences are subtle, and there are negatives and positives. The ideologies of young people and old people also differ, despite that they share things deep in their souls. There are many interesting things I observed, but for safety I will avoid being judgmental. The math courses here offer more choices and have higher levels compared to the ones in my home University College of William and Marry. For example, last semester I took: Russian Language I, Complex Analysis, Calculus on Manifolds, Topology I, Differential Geometry, Algebraic Number Theory, and the Putnam training course. This semester I am taking: Russian Language II, Russian History, Topology II, Computability and Complexity, Equations of Math and Physics, Knot Theory, Basic Representation Theory, Advanced Algebra, and Putnam. My favorite ones are Differential Geometry, Algebraic Number Theory, Topology II, Knot Theory, and Putnam training. Not only are they not offered at my university, they are also taught in a faster speed than the courses I took before. The sizes of the classes are also smaller, with about 4 to 8 people. It is easier for discussions in the class, which I think is very important, as it not only makes the class more interesting, but also gets us more involved and helps us understand the material better. In small classes like this, the atmosphere is also more informal. Instead of studying for grades, for example, in a 150 people freshman course, I feel I am really learning something intriguing and studying just for the fun of it. In our Computability and Complexity, this feeling is so intense, as we have only two students, but also two lecturers. (TA and the professor) I can stop the professor whenever I cannot follow and ask as many “stupid” questions as I want. Most teachers are very nice too; they usually have a fairly good sense of humor and make jokes in classes from time to time. In my opinion, the amiability of the professors definitely contributed to our enhanced interests in Math. I also like the idea of pure math semesters. When I learn math discretely among semesters, I often encounter situations like: not remembering a certain formula in Calculus a year or two after taking the class. But here, when we learn a spectrum of courses together, I often find things get connected. There are a lot of correlations between the subjects. The linking not only makes it easier to remember the knowledge, but also shows how one object can have many different applications.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The math courses here offer more choices and have higher levels compared to the ones in my home University College of William and Marry. For example, last semester I took: Russian Language I, Complex Analysis, Calculus on Manifolds, Topology I, Differential Geometry, Algebraic Number Theory, and the Putnam training course. This semester I am taking: Russian Language II, Russian History, Topology II, Computability and Complexity, Equations of Math and Physics, Knot Theory, Basic Representation Theory, Advanced Algebra, and Putnam. My favorite ones are Differential Geometry, Algebraic Number Theory, Topology II, Knot Theory, and Putnam training. Not only are they not offered at my university, they are also taught in a faster speed than the courses I took before. The sizes of the classes are also smaller, with about 4 to 8 people. It is easier for discussions in the class, which I think is very important, as it not only makes the class more interesting, but also gets us more involved and helps us understand the material better. In small classes like this, the atmosphere is also more informal. Instead of studying for grades, for example, in a 150 people freshman course, I feel I am really learning something intriguing and studying just for the fun of it. In our Computability and Complexity, this feeling is so intense, as we have only two students, but also two lecturers. (TA and the professor) I can stop the professor whenever I cannot follow and ask as many “stupid” questions as I want. Most teachers are very nice too; they usually have a fairly good sense of humor and make jokes in classes from time to time. In my opinion, the amiability of the professors definitely contributed to our enhanced interests in Math. I also like the idea of pure math semesters. When I learn math discretely among semesters, I often encounter situations like: not remembering a certain formula in Calculus a year or two after taking the class. But here, when we learn a spectrum of courses together, I often find things get connected. There are a lot of correlations between the subjects. The linking not only makes it easier to remember the knowledge, but also shows how one object can have many different applications.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The programs is small but extremely academically challenging, which makes it definitely worth while going for any serious Math student. However, it's hard to live in Moscow without knowing Russian. Unfortunately most of us don't. The program administrative did their best to ameliorate this problem.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	We live with very friendly Russian student, who provided abundant help in daily life and culture, but not too much help in language, as we speak English most of the time. (They got to practice their English.) We have a very small gym. Moscow is in general not too safe, but the neighborhood we are living in is okay. (Student dorms are in general not too bad.) The administrative give us pree settle in facilities. (Bedding cookware water boiler)
* Food:	We have lunch in the dining hall, which only open at noon. So we have to cook or go to local restaurant for the other two meals. Fortunately cooking is very convenient in the Dorm, and there are quite some nice restaurants around.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	During the time here I have also been to many places. Around Moscow, I have been to both Tretyakov galleries, both Pushkin museums of arts, State museum of history, revolution museum, Kremlin, armory, Tchaikovsky conservatory, State palace theatre, park Tsaricino, and some modern art museums and exhibitions including Garage, Winzavod, and so on. Outside of Moscow I have been to St. Petersburg, Vladimir and Suzdal with the group trip, a small town called Pavlov sad with a Russian friend, and I’m looking forward for the trip to Pskov and Novgorod this weekend! I find this country full of vigor and grace, especially Moscow. All those beautiful pieces of sculptures, drawings, concertos, and ballets will become precious memories of this place and stay with me forever.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	The skin head might be a little intimidating, tough I've never seen one during the year. However I've heard stories about it. Third world people and Jewish people be careful.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Except for food and metro, most things are pretty much free. Hooray! Communism!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?