Christmas and New Year celebrations around the world are most recognized for their cozy festival atmosphere, vibrant lights, gifts & sweets, winter markets, and festive celebrations. This is the most awaited time of the year for many! Here in Russia, the New Year arrives first, followed by Orthodox Christmas on January 7. One of the most iconic symbols of this time is the fir tree (ёлка). Having a fir tree at home has been a tradition for many generations. Yet, in modern times, it feels easier to purchase a harvested or artificial tree from the store. Despite the convenience, we end up missing out on a whole collection of emotions and experiences, especially the fresh smell of fir and birch trees, the damp and snowy forest, and the delicate touch of nature in winter.
Hey everyone! As you all already know, St. Petersburg is the cultural capital of Russia, and I hope you’re ready to dive into its famous museum scene! Everyone knows about the Hermitage, but the city is also home to incredible palaces that now serve as world-class art galleries. Let me tell you about four must-see palaces, each with its own unique flavor. Trust me, as a student, exploring these is the perfect way to spend your day.
Before DevOps emerged, the software development world faced significant challenges. Software updates were rare, often taking weeks or months to reach users. Today, modern applications can update multiple times per day, with major companies deploying changes continuously throughout the day. This transformation became possible through DevOps practices.
When I initially came to ITMO University, I was astonished by the environment that surrounded me. I had never seen such an array of cultures and events. Whether it be football or volleyball, basketball or table tennis, students had plenty of chances to get involved. But there was one thing missing: cricket. For us who come from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and various other countries around the world, cricket is more than simply a sport. Cricket is actually a bridge that helps us connect ourselves to others as we reminisce and feel at home. For us, whether it is the sound of the bat meeting the ball or simply the cheers of others as they watch a six being made, there's an emotion attached to it. That's when I had a spark of an idea. Why not have a Cricket Club at ITMO?
As a student at ITMO, your life is a vibrant, demanding, and exhilarating mix of lecture halls, late-night study sessions, and exploring the cultural heartbeat of Russia’s Northern Capital. But how to maintain a fighting spirit all the time? The answer is very simple — the perfect cup of coffee! And St. Petersburg is a wonderful city to discover coffee culture.
Organizing a cultural event is never only about schedules and planning. It's about people, emotions, memories, and the feeling of belonging that grows quietly in a room full of strangers. On November 15, I experienced this feeling in its most powerful form at the event that I organized myself. CrossCulture — Bangladesh Edition brought together Bengali students from across Russia and it still lives in my mind. Today, I am sharing the story behind the event.
In this blog, I wanted to share with you my recent journey to the World Youth Festival in Nizhny Novgorod, where I was honored to be part of the Leningrad Oblast delegation. Out of many applicants, only 10 participants were selected to represent the region, and I was grateful to be among them (it feels like we are a family now).
My workday usually starts around 10 a.m. I come to the office, grab breakfast at the café on the first floor, usually a sandwich or pancakes, and head to my desk. While my computer is waking up, I make myself a cup of tea in the kitchen. That small morning routine helps me switch into work mode.
When I received my acceptance notification for the World Youth Festival Assembly, I had to read it twice to believe it was real. Out of over 62,000 applications submitted from 175 countries, only 2,000 participants were selected: 1,000 from Russia and 1,000 from abroad. The selection criteria were rigorous: experience in international youth cooperation, participation in Russian and international projects, strong English proficiency, and demonstrated leadership in fields like IT, entrepreneurship, media, and science. Being chosen from such a competitive pool felt like a validation of everything I've worked toward since arriving at ITMO.
Apart from being a PhD student and member of staff at ITMO’s Faculty of Technological Management and Innovations, I'm currently a Professor in Jilin International Studies University in China. Recently, I was honored with the prestigious Best Foreign Professor of the Year Award. This milestone means a lot to me and in this blog, I wanted to share how I got to this point and why teaching plays such an important role in my life.
