Student Spotlight: Er Mert, Turkey

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Er Mert, I am from Turkey. I got my Bachelor’s degree in computer science in Russia, at the North Caucasus Federal University, and for eight months I’ve been working at a major company. I’ve recently entered the Computer Systems and Technologies Master’s program at ITMO. I wanted to study at this university because I know that it’s the best place for IT in the country. I am really glad I got in.

How did you decide to study in Russia?

Ever since I was a child, I was interested in your country. I liked its flag, culture, and history. My aunt is Russian and from her I learned more about your culture, which strengthened my interest. I saw that the cultures of our countries are quite similar, so I decided to study here.

Your Russian is really good! How did you approach studying the language?

Before coming to study here, I started learning the alphabet. We have some similar letters, so it was rather quick. Then I got into the university in Stavropol and completed the foundation program there. To be honest, your language is a bit harder than others because there are many different words for expressing similar things. For instance, я еду (I ride) and я иду (I go/walk) are different verbs, whereas in Turkish, I could say “go” about a taxi and public transport. These days, I am quite comfortable with the language and my job is in Russian, but I still come across words I haven’t ever seen. So, I continue learning.

Do you have a favorite word or phrase in Russian?

When I was first learning the language, I learned the proverb век живи, век учись (you live and learn). I find it to be quite true. We have a similar proverb in Turkish. I believe that every day we should learn something new. As for my favorite word, it’s хорошо (good) because you can use it in different contexts to mean different things; it’s quite functional.

Did ITMO live up to your expectations of it being the best IT university?

I’ve been studying here for several months and I can say that I got more than I expected. Students and lecturers alike treat their tasks and classes very seriously. Although I have to say that the classes are quite intensive and I need to set aside a lot of time for studies, I am enjoying it. If I didn’t work five days a week, it would’ve been easier, but I need to work harder combining work and studies.

You are already applying your education in your work. Do you plan to expand your knowledge in your Master’s to advance your career?

I am now studying in a slightly different specialization. My Bachelor’s degree is in computer science, while my current program is more engineering-oriented. I am acquiring additional knowledge so that in a couple of years I can start my own AI company and implement a project that will be useful for people. In my Bachelor’s diploma, I created a mobile app based on Gemini, and now I want to train my own model that will be the foundation of an app. This is going to be challenging – but this is why I got into ITMO. I think that in two years, I’ll be able to pull this off.

These days, there is a lot of talk of AI replacing various professionals. Do you think it possible that in the future AI will replace programmers entirely?

This truly is a hot topic. AI has already started replacing programmers, for instance, through vibe coding. AI can write code, even do a basic design. This field grows quickly and there is already the profession of a prompt engineer. I believe these specialists will be quite in demand. If I see that companies look for prompt engineers instead of programmers, then, I guess, I will have to develop the relevant skills and improve my English enough to write efficient prompts.

Let’s talk about your experience in St. Petersburg. Are you enjoying the city? Do you have any favorite spots here?

When I studied in Stavropol, I wanted to visit St. Petersburg but, unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance, I only went to Moscow. In September, when I just arrived here, I fell in love with this city. It’s very beautiful, both modern and historic. I can say that this is the best city I’ve seen in my life. And I think it’s a nice city for students, as there are abundant places to explore. 

As for my favorite places, I like the area around Lakhta Center. There’s a great view and the sunsets there are magnificent. I like walking there with my headphones on. The city center is beautiful, too. I like Kazan Cathedral and the Hermitage. However, I think I need more time to find more favorites.

Earlier, you mentioned that Turkish and Russian cultures are alike. Could you explain why?

They may seem different, because here people treat strangers rather coldly. However, once you get to know each other, it’s just like in Turkey – you can spend all night talking and drinking tea. Also, you like bread and potatoes, just like we do. Though we have different traditions, I believe there are quite a few similarities, too.

As you’ve mentioned food, how do you like Russian cuisine?

I miss the food at home and I truly delight in familiar tastes when I visit home. There are a few Turkish restaurants here, but their meals don’t quite hit the spot. But it’s okay here, too! For instance, I love borscht. Also, your pelmeni are quite like ours, but different in shape.

Do you feel like a part of the student community here? Have you made any friends?

I’ve made friends, of course, but I find it hard to be an active member of the community because I work and study a lot. Although I do see the posts and announcements on social media; the students here are very active and there is always something happening. And I really like that students strive to contribute. For instance, the mobile apps that we use at ITMO – I really want to thank those who developed them. Maybe next semester we will have it a little easier and I will be able to join different activities.

What advice would you give to international students applying to ITMO?

I think that many programmers dream of landing at a company in Silicon Valley. And I believe you can easily do so after you graduate from ITMO. The classes here are quite rigorous and modern and I am confident that with the skills you get here, you will be able to make this dream come true. Our labs and assignments are on a very high level. 

I encourage you to apply here because you will get good education and the opportunity to intern at major IT companies. After that, you will be able to start building your career in a well-paid position.