# A mathematical dream takes flight: from Bolivia to St. Petersburg State University
**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/news-events/student-reviews/mathematical-dream-takes-flight-bolivia-st-petersburg-state-university
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/preparatory-course-international-students
15 December 2025
Student Reviews
# A mathematical dream takes flight: from Bolivia to St. Petersburg State University
- Photo from the personal archive of Adriana Lechuga
- Photo from the personal archive of Adriana Lechuga
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Adriana Lechuga is a 19 years old Preparatory Course student from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Consistently a top student since the first grade, last year Adriana graduated high school with honours. Adriana made a choice many would find unexpected — she applied to St. Petersburg State University and boarded a plane to Russia.
##### Adriana, can you tell us about the path that led you here? What were you doing just before coming to St. Petersburg StateUniversity?
In 2024 I graduated from the school Británico Santa Cruz. I was one of the best students, always a mathematics enthusiast, even though I was never a genius. I want to highlight one thing about my education — the quality of my math teachers. Their passion, the love they showed for the subject, all of that inspired me deeply. That is the kind of teacher I want to be. I want to show students that math is not a monster and that learning does not have to feel like torture. The teacher is probably the biggest part of the learning process, which is why I want to make others love this subject as much as my teachers did for me.
Since a very young age, I worked hard for school scholarships and had the idea of applying to study abroad in any university that would be willing to accept me. I did everything in my power to get the best grades, to study on my own; I applied to numerous olympiads, and participated in any activity that could make it clear for me whether this was what I really wanted. My efforts even earned me a scholarship at a local university. I got a scholarship from the national competition UPSA (Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz de la Sierra) where I got a second place among more than 500 students. I had to start my studies the next year or I was going to lose the spot, so I spent a semester studying Fashion Design. Although it was fun and I met some incredible people, it did not fulfil me at all. This experience confirmed what I had felt since I was 15 — my real calling was mathematics.
I made the decision to study mathematics when I discovered that it was an actual degree. To be honest, my parents and I had a serious debate about it, because my dream did not make sense to them. As loving and supporting parents, however, they decided to support me and promised to be happy with whichever path I chose. No university offers a degree in mathematics in my city, so studying abroad became a necessary step if I really wanted to pursue this goal. I started researching where and how to apply, and, almost a year after graduating, I took a plane to Russia.
##### Why did you choose to learn Russian and why did you choose St. Petersburg State University specifically?
To be honest, studying in Russia was not something I had planned in my teenage years. The idea emerged unexpectedly, as one of my dad’s friends recommended this country and its scholarship programme, as her daughter was very happy to live and study in Moscow. She also told me that there were people that could help me with paperwork and offered me Russian language lessons at her house, which I attended for a year.
Even though I had always liked Russia, I had never considered coming here, mostly because of the language barrier. After doing a little research and reading about the programmes, the education quality, and the opportunities this country had to offer, and thanks to the support I got from a Russian acquaintance, I decided that I had to give it a shot. By that time, I knew that if I wanted to study in Russia, I would have to apply for the Preparatory Course first.
St. Petersburg State University caught my attention from the moment I laid eyes on the website. Its stunning architecture, its reputation amongst Russian universities, its course descriptions, all made me fall in love with it instantly; I chose it as my first option in the scholarship application. The joy I felt when I received the acceptance email was indescribable.
##### What first sparked your interest in learning Russian?
People around me always say that Russian sounds aggressive or tough, but I have never understood that point of view. For me, Russian language sounds very pretty yet different from Spanish, which is why I worried that it might be challenging to learn. Learning Russian
in Russia was both intriguing and exciting, and a necessary step towards my goal. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I trusted myself. A funny thing is that I had actually liked Russian even before I knew what it was. It turns out that I used to listen to Russian songs repeatedly without knowing that they were in Russian. I would even sing along without knowing what I was saying.
##### Was the application process difficult?
The application process was not at all difficult. The website had clear and easy instructions, and with the support I had, it was quite simple. To be honest, I did not expect quite so much paperwork and that it would take so long to complete, but, fortunately, the deadline was extended, and I submitted everything on time.
##### What were your expectations of the Preparatory Course, and is the reality in any way different?
People who had already passed this course warned me that it was going to be boring and tiring. Personally, I was expecting a slow start, a grumpy teacher that would scold me whenever I did something wrong, and the suffering of sitting in the same classroom every day for five hours, studying non-stop.
The reality, however, pleasantly surprised me from the moment I met my teacher. She approached our group with kindness and care; she clearly wants the best for her students. In a recent conversation she told me, 'I really love what I do'. She did not even need to say it — it was already clear in every class. Her passion makes all the difference, and I truly cherish it.
Learn more about the [Preparatory Course curriculum](https://precourses.spbu.ru/en/programs/)
Overall, I am having a nice experience here. Although I expected to study on main campus in the city centre, the fact that I do not have to commute four hours every day makes up for it. The Mathematics Faculty is also in Peterhof. It is a beautiful place, and the one I am going to study at in the future, so I think it is convenient.
##### What was your first impression of the Russian language?
My first thought when I opened the textbook was, 'Oh, this is going to be so hard'. A scary but exciting feeling. I knew that it was only the beginning of the journey, but there were so many unfamiliar letters, cases, and specific verbs! The alphabet sounded funny and I could not pronounce many letters. It was difficult to understand Russian videos because they talked too fast and did not pronounce all the vowels. For a moment, I was not sure if I was going to make it. Now, I am remembering these thoughts with fondness.
##### What is your favourite Russian word or phrase, and why?
I am definitely going with the Orthodox Easter greeting 'Христос Воскреcе!' (Christ is Risen!). I first learned this phrase back in Bolivia, and have not stopped thinking about it since — I just like how it sounds. What moves me most is the thought of people celebrating and saying these words to each other as a way of expressing their joy during Easter, which is one of my favourite holidays. My teacher here described the tradition with a huge smile, which completely reaffirmed how I felt about it.
**Speaking of cultural differences, have you noticed anything interesting in your interactions with the locals?**
What strikes me every time is how people here address others by their full name and patronymic, rather than by title. In my country, this would be considered rude, as we address each other by professional title or simply by 'Sir' and 'Miss'. I am still trying to get used to it.
##### Can you share a funny language mistake you have made?
It’s been months since I started learning this language, and I still mix up the letters 'и' (which sounds like 'ee' in 'meet') and 'у' (which sounds like 'oo' in 'foot') while writing in cursive; at this point I just laugh when I notice it. Lately I have been also mixing up the verbs 'едут' (they are driving) and 'едят' (they are eating) the when I am not paying attention.
**How do you plan to use your Russian language skills in your future career or studies?**
I plan to be a professor at some point in my life, so I need to learn enough Russian to deliver classes properly, leaving no space for confusion. I am determined to do as much as I can to achieve this, because there is nothing I want more than to work here, at this very same university. Ever since I knew I was going to study here, I told myself that I would get to teach other students, and there is no way I can do that if I don’t learn the language.
##### How good do you think your Russian is at the moment?
Although I am still very much a beginner, I can confidently say that it is way better than it was before coming here. I can finally manage some phrases in public places, ask questions, and even understand a little of the conversations around me. I still have a long, long way to go, and I keep forgetting word endings and cases, but with how the classes are going, and with the encouragement from my teacher, I am sure that I will keep improving.
##### What difficulties have you encountered here?
The hardest part about being here is being so far away from my family. My mom and I were practically inseparable — we did everything together, and now I can only see her and my dad on a screen and wish that I were still with them. Of course, arriving in a country that speaks a completely different language without a solid foundation was also a huge challenge. Also, no one prepared me for the exhausting amount of paperwork — all the offices I had to visit, the money I spent, and the documents I had to gather.
##### You mentioned your warm relations with your family, how did they react to your decision to study in St. Petersburg?
My dad was the most excited one in the beginning. Actually, I think he was even happier than I was. He has always thought that Russia is an incredible country and the best place I could go to study in my field, so he was celebrating my departure. My mom, however, had a harder time. Not because she did not want me to study abroad, but because she was extremely worried about my wellbeing in a place where I was going to be all alone, without knowing the language, and so far away from her. In the end, of course, she decided to trust me and accepted it. Right now, she is very proud of me for being here and does not want me to even think about going back.
##### The final question — what are your plans going forward?
The only thing on my mind right now is to dedicate my life and energy to studying. I deeply care about my future and career, therefore I plan on giving it my all. I also want to make friends along the way, practice my Russian, and learn more about this culture and country that will be my home for the next few years. If life gives me the opportunity to stay here for a master’s degree, I will also look forward to it. Right now, life can be a little bit difficult and different but I know this is for the best and later, when I see myself with the diploma at my graduation, I will be grateful for all the support I received and the hard work I put in.
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