Social programme. Review and recommendations by Ксения Мартынова https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz Made by Maria Serova, Ksenia Martynova, Ksenia Ledneva and Viktoria Borisova en-us 2021-12-12 15:45:45 UTC 2025-11-07 00:35:29 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/270d.png Introduction ksusha_martynova12 https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz/wish/1942887071 The purpose of the following report is to review options for cultural activities that would be suitable as part of a social programme for foreign students. This year we offered the students 2 cultural activities: sightseeing bus tour through Saint-Petersburg and suburbs and an excursion in the Catherine Palace and 2 parks - Ekaterininsky and Alexandrovsky. Both of the activities received mixed reviews. This report is based on the students' feedback. ]]> 2021-12-12 16:08:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz/wish/1942887071 Pros ledneva_ks14 https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz/wish/1942975455 Many of them emphasized the low cost of the programme. And it really was! Furthermore, there was an option of paying by parts in instalments. The tour included not only excursions and transfer, but also accommodation on the Leningrad State University campus. An undeniable advantage, mentioned by the students, was that the guide was immensely professional and gave a great many a great deal of historical information. It is also important to highlight that the group was welcomed by the programme’s providers, which gave them a feeling of a proper organisation. 

]]> 2021-12-12 17:22:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz/wish/1942975455 Cons marieserova1an https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz/wish/1943031509 However, despite the huge positive feedback, the students also kindly shared drawbacks and their comments upon the organization and conduct of these two cultural activities.
Although the bus sightseeing tour was relatively inexpensive and well-organized, it lasted longer than planned, because the guide, who had a large stock of historical knowledge, wanted to share it in full, leaving the students no time for an independent walk around the city and taking photos. 
Another drawback was related to the campus. Although the atmosphere there was really friendly, after long days of immersion in Russian culture tourists wanted to have a good rest, which was impossible because the campus was bustling with life.]]> 2021-12-12 18:12:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz/wish/1943031509 Conclusion https://padlet.com/ksusha_martynova12/dtlq4rtr77q4n7rz/wish/1943160625
The subsequent analysis gave some useful ideas on how to address the issues which appeared during the excursion. 
First of all the importance of some pauses between the information intake was taken into account. Secondly, it was decided to give the whole floor or at least one big part of the corridor to visitors so that they could enjoy a quiet and comfortable atmosphere on the campus. The system of feedback helped to understand and solve some possible (potential) problems. 
As a result, the itinerary turned out to be qualitative and well-organised, some defects were discovered and tackled. 
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