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They say dreams know no borders, and mine certainly didn’t. As a young girl growing up in India, I often imagined a life beyond the familiar — a life filled with learning, exploring, and discovering the world. Studying abroad wasn’t just an ambition, it was a promise I made to myself that one day, I would step out of my comfort zone and truly chase knowledge in a new land. This promise led me to Russia.
After my escape to Vyborg from all the academic pressure, I thought I’d take it slow for a while. But life, as always, had its own plans. What followed was a string of unforgettable experiences — each one putting me out of my comfort zone and closer to who I am becoming.
Securing a research internship can be tricky, particularly if you’re aiming for a self-initiated placement outside formal programs. While many universities offer structured summer internships for undergraduates and Master’s students, opportunities for semester-long stays for PhD students are less straightforward. This guide, based on my own experience (including a fully funded research stay in Saudi Arabia and a journal publication), will walk you through the process of making it work.
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.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. For Vladislav Trifonov, teaching isn’t just about fitness; it’s about helping students improve and grow, one day at a time.
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?