Student Spotlight: George Jbeil, Syria

Please tell us something about yourself.

I am a 21-year-old guy from one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Syria. I was born in Damascus, the capital city. I finished high school in 2019 and started studying at the Faculty of Communications and Electronics Engineering at Damascus University. Just after finishing the first year, I moved to Russia to study on a fully funded scholarship. Here, I started studying in the Foundation Program at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University remotely due to the pandemic. Now, I am a student of ITMO’s Programming in Information and Communication Systems program.

Tell us something about your country.

Syria is the land of Shem, son of Noah, according to the Bible, and it is likely that the meaning of the word, Syria, stands for the land of the Lady (from the Syriac word, Sirit, meaning lady.)

Although Arabic is the official language of Syria, some of the ancient languages ​​are still in use, such as Syriac, Aramaic, and Armenian. Syria has stunning natural landscapes, ancient history, and a rich cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination.

What places in your country would you recommend our readers to visit?

There are many wonderful and beautiful places in my country. If you love nature, you can go to the As-Samra region in Lattakia, Al-Kafrun, Maaloula, Al-Qaymariyya, Bab Tuma, etc. For experiencing the culture, you can visit the As-Suwayda National Museum, the National Museum of Damascus, Al-Azm Palace, the Damascus Opera House, the Roman Theatre at Bosra, and Khan As’ad Pasha.

Why did you decide to study in Russia?

I decided to go to Russia to deepen my scientific expertise in the subject I love, which is communication systems. I started studying it in my country, so the transition wasn’t much of a challenge.

What do you like the most about St. Petersburg?

The white nights, the beauty, and the charm of St. Petersburg's buildings are indescribable. They mesmerize me every new day. I am so glad to be here.

How does it feel to be an international student at ITMO?

Initially, adapting to a new country with a different language was challenging. However, as time passed by, ITMO became a second family to me. I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of it.

How much Russian have you learned already?

To be honest, learning Russian is quite challenging and I am still facing some difficulties in understanding native speakers. However, my teacher is doing an amazing job at making the language more interesting, enabling me to express my thoughts and ideas quite well in Russian.

Where are you staying these days?

I'm staying in a dormitory located on Lensoveta Street 23 and I found it to be a comfortable accommodation not too far away from the university. Staying here with other students provides me with an opportunity to hang out and share my experiences with them.

Do you like Russian food? What are your favorite dishes?

I've tried some of the dishes they make here, such as dumplings (pelmeni), Olivier salad, and sausages which I loved a lot!

And what is Syrian food like?

There are many traditional dishes in Syria that are worth trying. It's hard for me to choose a favorite! Among the most famous and delicious ones are Yabrak, Sheikh Al-Mahshi, Mansaf Al-Malehi, Maqlouba, Shish Barak, Kibbeh, Kofta, and Kabsa. These dishes will make your taste buds happy and show you the delicious history of Syrian food.

What are your favorite places in St. Petersburg? Have you been to some of the popular destinations here?

There are quite a few, namely, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Catherine Palace, the Hermitage, and the metro stations. 

Can you share one good and one bad experience in Russia?

In general, I have had a great experience traveling to Russia and starting a new life here. I'm glad I made this decision. However, when it was early fall, I remember getting drenched in rain all the time as I wasn't used to such an amount of rainfall.

How did you adjust to the cold weather here?

I was never too bothered by the cold weather. I love winters and snowfall. Therefore, I could adapt to this weather quickly.

What are your hobbies?

One of my hobbies is drawing with pencils and colors and sometimes with charcoal. I love making sketches.

Do you like sports?

Yes, I often hit the gym to maintain my fitness. Sometimes I play ping pong, basketball, or volleyball, too.

Any advice that you would like to give to future ITMO students from Syria?

Carefully select the program you want to study and start learning Russian as early as possible. Do not forget to make friends with students from different countries, as this will give you an opportunity to learn about different cultures and provide you with unique experiences. Start by finding the special aspects of your major and nurturing them.