Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, my name is Sara and I am 24 years old. I am in my fourth year of a Bachelor’s degree program in information systems and technology. My native country is Serbia. I moved to Russia almost five years ago. In my first year, I attended the Foundation Program, where I learned Russian.
Tell us something about your country.
Serbia is located in the Balkans. We, Serbs, are Slavic people – similar to many Russians. Also, our languages are quite similar because Russian is an Eastern Slavic language and Serbian is its Southern counterpart. In terms of culture, we do have some common ground with Russians. Although our religion is the same, our traditions are quite different. Also, unlike Russia, Serbia doesn’t have a sea. However, we do have some pretty mountains. The thing I like the most about Serbia is its people. We are very friendly and welcoming, perhaps because we are a small nation.
What is the cuisine like in Serbia?
The food is very delicious, though it might feel a bit heavy for some people because almost every dish has a large portion of pork. I belong to South Serbia, where the cuisine is somewhat different than that of the northern half, where the dishes have some Austrian influence in them. Our dishes have more peppers in them. Some of my favorite dishes are punjena paprika and sarma.
You had to take a language prep course even though Russian and Serbian belong to the same Slavic language family. How beneficial was it?
It felt a bit weird to go through the basics like the alphabet and numbers in the Foundation Program classes. The roots of both languages are quite similar. Therefore, the grammar is also mostly the same. However, the classes helped me grasp the pronunciation and the accent. I was embarrassed to speak Russian for the first seven months. But after that period, I started communicating in Russian confidently.
Are you learning any other foreign language?
I am learning Italian and Spanish. My boyfriend is Italian, so that’s the motivation behind learning the language. As for Spanish, I am a big fan of Spain and its culture.
“I love learning about new places, cultures, and languages,” says Sara. Photo courtesy of the subject
Why did you decide to study in Russia?
Studying in Serbia was not so appealing to me because I wanted to experience something new and challenging. So, I decided to study abroad. The decision to study in Russia was quite random, but I always liked their culture and wanted to explore the country. So, I tried my luck and it worked out well.
How has your student life been at ITMO?
The first two years were quite challenging. I was unable to follow my classes well. We had to study a lot of physics, math, and programming. Also, the subject of my program, i.e. information systems and technologies, was confusing to me. But everything became clearer by the time I reached my third year. In the last two years, we did a lot of hands-on work that gave me a practical understanding of the concepts that I had learned in the first two years. So, I’d say that ITMO’s reputation as one of the best universities in the discipline of IT is 100% genuine.
How did you come across ITMO?
At first, I was admitted into another university here in St. Petersburg. But then one day, I came across ITMO’s website. It was super cool. Then I found out that ITMO is a non-classical university with many interesting clubs and groups. That made me take the bold decision of switching to ITMO and now I am glad I took that decision. It has made a big difference in my life for sure.
Is the weather in Russia different from what you get in Serbia?
It is different. In Serbia, we have normal spells of summer and winter, but here in Russia, there are almost nine months of winter and only three months of summer. Also, it is very humid in St. Petersburg, which makes it even cooler. Even after five years, I have not been able to adapt to this weather enough. If only it was a little less cold in St. Petersburg, it would have surely become the ultimate paradise on Earth.
Do you like Russian food?
Yes, I do like Russian cuisine, particularly, their soups. However, I am not a big fan of their meat. One of my favorite places to eat is ITMO’s stolovaya (cafeteria). I really like the food they serve.
Did you participate in Russian festivals?
Yes, I did get to be at some of the popular Russian celebrations. I realized that here in Russia, the New Year is a very ‘family’ occasion while in Serbia it’s more of an event for friends. Christmas, on the other hand, is the time when everyone returns to their families in Serbia. Also, maslenitsa is not a popular festival in my country while in Russia it is very significant.
“St. Petersburg has become so dear to me now. It will be difficult to bid it farewell,” says Sara. Photo courtesy of the subject
What does it feel like to live in St. Petersburg?
When I first arrived in the city, I was awestruck. St. Petersburg is such a big and grand city with so much happening all the time. Then winter came and everything started changing drastically. It felt like two different cities in the summer and the winter. Over the years, I have grown to appreciate and love the city even more. Now, I have gotten so attached to this place that it will be difficult to say goodbye. Even when the skies are gray and the streets are white with snow, I feel cozy in St. Petersburg.
What are your hobbies?
I don’t have any “official” hobbies but I have resumed reading books. I also love to dance. I was in a troupe at ITMO, too, for some time. I also like playing chess, swimming, and hanging out with friends in my free time. I also like going to concerts and listening to classical music.
What are your plans for the future?
I am looking for jobs as a front-end developer. Also, I am open to opportunities to pursue a Master’s degree abroad. Let’s see what my life has in store for me. I am once again ready to explore!
