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.
St. Petersburg is renowned not just for its architectural beauty and historical depth but also for its peaceful natural setting, especially in summer. For a group of 22 Bangladeshi students studying at different universities across the city, one perfect July weekend offered a chance to leave the classrooms behind for some time and return to nature, friendship, and cultural identity.
We spend a ton of our lives online — checking out VK, binge-watching YouTube, studying on all those online platforms, or just chatting with our buddies. The internet is where we learn, connect, and chill. But have you ever thought about the invisible trail you leave behind every time you hop online? That trail is your digital footprint, and even though it might seem no big deal, it can actually show way more about you than you think. So, I got kinda curious about how much students share online, and I thought I'd check it out. I also chatted with some of my university friends about what they do online, and honestly, what I found out was pretty surprising.
Ever since I became a student at ITMO University, I had been waiting eagerly to visit Yagodnoe, the university's fabled sports and recreation camp. I had enrolled twice before but canceled at the eleventh hour due to a time limitation. This summer, though, I was not going to let the chance pass me by.
As Coordinator of International Relations at the Faculty of Technological Management and Innovations (FTMI) at ITMO University and a current professor at Jilin International Studies University (JISU, China), I recently had the opportunity to participate in the International Forum on Impressions of Northeast China: The Local-Cosmopolitan Dimensions of Northeast China Culture, held in Changchun.
Vyborg and I have a bit of history. This wasn’t my first or even my second visit — it was my third visit. And yet, each time I return, I find something new to love. Maybe, it’s the medieval charm, the peaceful walks, or simply the excuse to escape St. Petersburg’s rush. But this time, I had two things on my mind: finally getting my hands on krendels (Vyborg's famous baked treats) and soaking in the rare warmth of a +14 degrees Celsius spring morning.
In the first blog I wrote about my beloved home country, I shared with you its natural wonders. Today, I am discussing the architectural wonders and World Heritage Sites of Bangladesh.
I’ll be honest, the first time I heard about water parks in St. Petersburg, I was quite doubtful. An aquapark… inside a mall? How in the world would that work? Coming from the open-air parks of sunny California, I was understandably skeptical. Alas, one snowy day in January, my friends persuaded me to join them and visit the aquapark Piterland. And wow, was I surprised!
The day I arrived in Russia, October 7, 2023, felt like a new chapter in my life. Having spent my entire life in Bangladesh, I was accustomed to crowded streets, vibrant festivals, and a warm tropical climate. Arriving in St. Petersburg, I found myself in a completely different world: grand architecture, the crisp autumn air, and a language I couldn’t yet understand. Amid all the unfamiliarity, I had one constant companion — my camera. For six years, it had been my trusted tool to capture fleeting moments and connect with people. Little did I know it would also become my bridge to understanding Russia, helping me embrace its rich culture and fall in love with its diverse landscapes.
When I first arrived in Russia back in 2022 as an international student, I had big dreams — excelling in my studies, getting new experiences, and of course travelling across this vast country. Everything felt fresh and full of possibilities. I spent weekends discovering cozy cafes, wandering around Nevsky Prospect, and making spontaneous trips with friends. Fast-forward to the final year of my Master’s at ITMO and reality hits differently: life has become a whirlwind of deadlines, responsibilities, and a never ending to-do list. Between writing my thesis, working, organizing events, and deadlines with the ever-growing urge to travel before leaving Russia, I often ask myself: how do I juggle it all?
