Language as means of mutual integration in multicultural university environment

Abstract

Considering openness of modern Russian education to international students from all over the world the university has been undergoing a huge transformation into a multicultural and multilingual space that provokes new challenges for both administration and students. Addressing these challenges requires a common starting point for adaptation, socialization and further integration. And that common substance is neither more nor less than the language (both native and foreign) that proved to be the best facilitator. Any language (Russian, English and national languages of all students) has an endless capacity to create an international student-friendly environment within the campus and foster mutual integration of students from various cultural backgrounds. Authors come up with the model of deep integration based on building shared lingual environment, seen as a task for University administrators.