Student Spotlight: Beyzanur Ünlü, Türkiye

Hi, Beyzanur! Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi! My name is Beyzanur Ünlü, and I'm from Türkiye. I've recently arrived in St. Petersburg and am currently taking preparatory courses at ITMO before pursuing my studies in computer science and engineering.

What motivated you to study in Russia?

I've always been interested in computer science and the opportunities available in Russia's tech industry. One of my goals was to work for a company like Yandex.

I also have a Russian friend who told me about the Russian government scholarship and encouraged me to consider studying here. After learning more about the opportunities, I decided to apply.

Why did you choose ITMO University?

I chose ITMO primarily because of its reputation; knowing that ITMO has won the ICPC World Finals seven times really speaks to the quality of its training.

What also attracted me was the university's practical approach to programming and its emphasis on innovation and project-based learning. ITMO is a modern environment where you can actually build things, develop your skills, and grow alongside talented people.

Another important factor was its connections with leading technology companies. Knowing that graduates have opportunities to work in the industry gives me confidence about my future career.

You mentioned ICPC. Have you participated in competitive programming or similar competitions before?

I haven't competed in ICPC yet, but I've always had a strong passion for competitive problem-solving. Back in Türkiye, I graduated from a science high school and was involved in national science competitions like TÜBİTAK.

That problem-solving mindset naturally led me to computer science. Here at ITMO, seeing that level of algorithmic excellence pushes me even further.

What are your long-term career goals?

Long term, I see two inspiring paths for myself: either pursuing an academic career in advanced computing or chasing my biggest dream of working as a software or telemetry engineer in Formula 1, where high-performance code meets vehicle dynamics.

Why did you choose St. Petersburg? What appeals to you about the city?

First of all, because ITMO is here! But I also chose St. Petersburg because of its rich cultural life and inspiring academic environment.

Compared to the hectic pace of Moscow, St. Petersburg seems to offer a nice balance between historical beauty and a lively student community. It's also very walkable and well connected by public transport, which makes it a motivating place to study and live.

You've only recently arrived in Russia. What have been the biggest challenges so far?

I think the biggest challenge has been the Russian language. On campus, many students speak English, so communication is relatively easy. But outside the university, whether you're at a grocery store, a hospital, or dealing with official documents, knowing Russian is really important.

Another challenge has been adapting to the climate and shorter daylight hours. In Türkiye, we're used to having more sunlight.

Getting around the city also takes some planning. I live in a dormitory quite far from the university, so going somewhere can easily take an hour or more. I've had to become more careful with my time.

How have your Russian language classes been going?

Russian is definitely difficult, but I really enjoy the classes. I actually studied a little Russian back in Türkiye, so I already had some basic knowledge when I arrived.

Our teacher, Tatiana Romanova, is wonderful. She's very good at explaining things, and she really cares about her students. She always asks how we're doing and makes sure everything is going well. Her classes are entertaining, too, which makes learning the language much more enjoyable.

Have you had the chance to meet new people and participate in student activities?

Yes! I've already made friends from different countries, including Russia, Bangladesh, and Ecuador, through the Buddy System.

I also joined an outing to a forest, where we went for a walk and had a picnic. It was a really nice experience because I got to spend time outdoors and talk to other international students.

My roommate is from Bangladesh, and she's also really nice. Meeting people from different backgrounds has been one of the best parts of my experience so far.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy painting, reading books, listening to music, and exploring new places. I like walking around St. Petersburg with my friends and discovering the city, and I'm also interested in visiting nearby towns.

I'm a big Formula 1 fan, so I really enjoy watching the races. Aside from that, I try to spend some of my free time improving my English and Russian and learning more about C++ programming.

Finally, what advice would you give to international students planning to study in Russia?

My first piece of advice would be to start learning basic Russian as early as possible. Even though many university students speak English very well, everyday activities like shopping or handling documents often require Russian.

Second, make sure you have your digital tools and connectivity sorted out before arriving. Being able to stay connected and access the services you need makes the first few days much easier.

And finally, familiarize yourself with the public transportation system. Knowing how to get around the city will save you a lot of time and make adapting to your new surroundings much easier.