Intercultural education of future doctors: the experience of the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language

Developing multicultural competence and a respectful attitude toward the cultural heritage of all peoples of the world is an important part of the educational work carried out by the faculty of the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language. Cultural and educational centers in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can provide significant assistance to the faculty in conducting intercultural education activities for future doctors allowing students to become acquainted with the material and spiritual cultures of these countries.

In November groups 301-a Sh and 302-a Sh held informational hours dedicated to developing intercultural competence in international students. The future doctors studying in the international groups visited cultural and educational centers in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. There the students viewed collections of books, paintings and souvenirs on display at the centers which showcase the ancient and distinctive cultural traditions of these countries.

Students from Sri Lanka taught their Arab, Indian and African classmates about the meaning of color in Sri Lankan national dress and demonstrated traditional national clothing, as well as Sinhala and Tamil jewelry. The students especially enjoyed poems about peace and friendship in Sinhala and Tamil, as well as a workshop on writing the letters of these languages.

Indian students taught their classmates about the culture of Southern and Northern India at the Cultural and Educational Center of the Republic of India, demonstrating beautiful examples of colorful national costumes. The students thoroughly enjoyed their classmates' brief talks about India's most significant temples whose picturesque photographs they were able to see with their own eyes on the walls of the Cultural Center of the Republic of India.

At the Cultural Center of the Republic of Pakistan international students were able to see an exhibition of reproductions of paintings by Pakistani artists celebrating the beauty of their native nature and the hard work and courage of their compatriots.

Information hours dedicated to introducing international students to the national cultures of their home countries not only helped them broaden their horizons and better understand the cultures of their classmates but also developed multicultural communication skills an important goal in developing a well-rounded future physician.