Choosing a university for his exchange semester wasn’t easy for João Pedro Furtunato Moulin Vago, a student at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Moscow, Rostov‑on‑Don, and Tyumen were among his options. The decisive factors were the efficiency of UTMN's international services and the charming visuals of the Siberian city in photographs.

In an interview for our website, the future diplomat shared how studying at UTMN's School of Advanced Studies (SAS) helped him view Russian cultural identity through the lens of Brazilian experience, and why even a lack of Russian language skills was not an obstacle to his adaptation. It should be noted that UTMN and the Federal University of Santa Catarina are linked by a cooperation agreement under which students can participate in exchange programs, specifically coming to the partner university for 1–2 semesters. 

Our conversation was kindly interpreted by Alexey Vyazovikov, an assistant at the Department of Applied and Theoretical Linguistics at the Institute of Social and Humanities; last year he taught Russian at the Federal University of Northern Tocantins, another UTMN partner university in Brazil. 

– João, how did your friends and family react when they found out you were going to Siberia for six months?

– My parents definitely were the most concerned about the news. Both my relatives and friends knew I was going to Russia. But it is still far away, and who knows how such a long trip might end. Besides, the climate here is harsh. In short, they said, just come back, we are waiting for you. 

– So you got here in winter, right? What was the Siberian weather like?

– It was about -20°C. Cold, but not as cold as in Kazakhstan, where I also happened to be – there it was -37°C. That, of course, is a special memory (laughs). Here in Russia, the cold feels different. In Brazil, you can freeze at +8°C. 

– Why did you choose Tyumen and UTMN for your internship? 

– I considered several options, including Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, and Tyumen. A big role was played by the fact that representatives of the University of Tyumen were very interested in me, and the whole process moved really fast. Besides, I looked at photos of the city and really liked it. That’s what ultimately influenced my final decision. 

–  As a future diplomat, what did you gain from those six months at UTMN? 

– My major at the Federal University of Santa Catarina is International Relations, and I focus specifically on Russia’s foreign ties with Brazil. At UTMN, I found a lot of courses that were truly useful for me. They explored how diverse cultures coexist within a single country. It’s about the so-called identity question: are we more Asian, more European, or are we a cultural crossroads? This issue is typical for Brazil as well. Russia is also a mix of cultures and nationalities, and therefore I was interested in comparing our countries from this point of view. 

– How tough was it to get used to the university and the city? 

– It was challenging during the first month. Not many people here speak English, I do not speak Russian, so it was hard to buy even basic things or food. However, Tyumen turned out to be a very convenient and comfortable city to live in. And Russian people are not as cold and reserved as they might seem at first glance. The locals proved to be very hospitable and friendly. 

– How is your Russian coming along? Did you manage to learn many words in six months? 

– Since I studied at the School of Advanced Studies (SAS), classes were held in English; unfortunately, I could not learn Russian words as quickly as I would have liked. Of course, I know some basic phrases like "Privet," "Poka," "Kak dela?", but that’s not enough to hold a conversation. Now I am finishing my studies, writing my thesis, and I plan to focus on learning Russian so I can speak more confidently next time I come to Russia. 

– When is your next trip planned?

– It’s just a one‑week visit in September this year for the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg.

– What surprised you most about the way Russian people behave? 

– First of all, how quiet everyone is on public transport (laughs). In Brazil, it’s totally normal for someone to be chatting loudly, singing, even shouting – and no one minds. The other thing that really stood out is how clean the streets are. That’s a big contrast to what I’m used to in Brazil.

– Did you find it easy to get along with the people around you?

– Yes. Despite the language barrier, I was lucky to find good friends here. And they are not only Russians – I’ve met Tatars, Kyrgyz, Georgians, and representatives of other nationalities living in Russia. 

– By the way, why did you choose diplomacy as your future profession? Did you not dream of becoming a footballer in childhood, like many Brazilian boys?

– The world is big and amazing, and I want to absorb everything! I want to understand and experience it through my own feelings, not just learn about it from books or other materials.

– If you could take one Russian practice – perhaps cultural or everyday – back to Brazil and introduce it at home, what would it be?

– It is hard to say. There are many moments that seemed interesting to me and could actually work in our culture or daily routine. Honestly, I can’t pick just one – there are too many things that I liked.

– What will be your warmest memory of Russia?

– Of course, I will remember my friends and the time spent together. And the events — Maslenitsa with the burning of the scarecrow was something else. The vibes were incredible, I’ll never forget that.

– Any souvenir you’re making sure to pack?

– My mom asks me to bring a matryoshka doll. Friends gave me many things, and I also want to buy a lot to remember my stay in Russia, but there is so little space in the suitcase! (laughs). 

João had a meeting with Andrey Tolstikov, UTMN’s Senior Vice‑Rector. During the conversation, the focus was on the expanding network of partnerships with Brazilian universities. Students from these institutions regularly come to Tyumen through academic exchange programs. Notably, exchanges with the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte) are already well established: postdocs and PhD candidates come to UTMN’s X‑BIO Institute to carry out research projects. 

This year, for the first time at UTMN, a student from the Federal University of Northern Tocantins arrived under the scientific tourism program and with the aim of further positioning UTMN as a promising place for Brazilian students to gain educational experience. It’s part of a broader effort to showcase UTMN as a dynamic and promising place for Brazilian students to gain international educational experience.

"It should be noted that UTMN has successful experience of cooperation with Brazilian universities in the field of scientific research, including studies of Amazonian biodiversity and climate change. Over the next few years, we will be participating in various scientific events in connection with the 200th anniversary of the expeditionary studies of Brazil’s nature and indigenous populations by Grigory Langsdorff, the first Consul General of the Russian Empire in Rio de Janeiro (1821–1829). A key event so far was the seminar at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in February, where a UTMN team headed by the Rector shared insights and built new connections. 

Student exchanges are also becoming a significant factor in strengthening mutual understanding between Russia and Brazil