Student Spotlight: Bashar Mawase, Israel

Please introduce yourself to our readers!

Hello, readers! I am Bashar Mawase, an 18-year-old student from Israel. Although I am eighteen, everyone feels that I look older – maybe around 27!

I am currently enrolled in the Foundation Program at ITMO with a scholarship, where I am learning the Russian language. After its completion, I hope to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in programming and artificial intelligence at ITMO. 

What do you like the most about your country?

I’m actually a Palestinian who lives in Israel. What I really like about Israel is its scenic beauty. I’ve visited many well-known places around the world, but Jerusalem is one of the biggest and probably the best city I’ve ever been to. I like Israel’s culture, religion, tourist destinations, and vistas. In the north, we have amazing scenic spots from where one can experience fantastic views of the entire country, along with its neighbors, Lebanon and Syria.

The education system in Israel is also quite good. We have some great universities with highly skilled experts. Some of the leading universities of Israel, such as the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, are partnered with ITMO on research and student exchange.

Do you have any favorite traditional Israeli food?

To be honest, I only relish Arabic, Palestinian, or Jewish cuisine – it’s common for people living in Israel. Hummus and falafel can count as some of my favorite dishes. In Israel, one piece of falafel can be bigger than the size of your hand! I also enjoy maqluba and shawarma. I tried some in Russia, but having tasted the authentic flavors since childhood, I think it could be better.

How did you learn about ITMO?

My father has a friend who studied in Russia on a full scholarship. He shared his experiences and informed us about the wonderful opportunities provided at different universities all around Russia. I learned that Russia is renowned for preparing students with top-notch skills in computer science and mathematics. This caught my attention and within two days, I made up my mind to travel to Russia for my higher studies. My high school math teacher also supported my decision, saying that it would be interesting to meet people from different countries and cultures. 

How have your first few months been in St. Petersburg?

Since I came here, I’ve met many students from Europe, Africa, India, Russia itself, and other Arab countries. I am friends with many of them now. Studying abroad is indeed a huge experience. You have to manage everything by yourself. This was something I always wanted to incorporate into my character – handling responsibilities or learning new skills, like learning a new language – which, I feel, is rather challenging. Although I’ve learned nine foreign languages and I’m fluent in four, Russian still remains one of the most difficult languages for me to learn.

What has your experience been with the Foundation Program so far?

In the beginning, learning Russian was difficult, but gradually, I began to adapt. I worked really hard and I also had great teachers who helped me succeed. I appreciate how the teachers never allowed international students to use English and bypass the struggle. We were always encouraged to use Russian and hence we improved.

Did you have any memorable events in the first few days?

The journey was a very memorable one. A 35-hour-long flight from Tel Aviv to St. Petersburg, with a layover in Dubai. I had lots of fun during my voyage, which was almost like a journey into an entirely new life. It was a special moment for me because I turned 18 within three hours of entering Russia – which is why St. Petersburg has a completely different place in my heart. I felt a strong connection with everything as I arrived, anxious and excited. I absolutely love the beautiful architecture and landscape of this city.

Have you visited any tourist attractions in St. Pete yet?

Yes, for sure. I’ve visited the Hermitage, taken a walk along Nevsky Prospekt, and been to the Gazprom Stadium, which I believe is one of the biggest stadiums in Eastern Europe. I’ve also visited Peterhof, which is around 30 mins from the center of St. Pete. That’s all the places I’ve been to so far. I’m planning to explore more of the city in the summer.

Did you try any authentic Russian dishes?

I have tried kartoshka (the dessert), and I’m ready to spend all my money on it! It’s really cheap and has a delicious sandy texture. I recommend this dish to everyone.

Where in St. Petersburg do you live?

I’m staying at the Vyazemsky dorm. I am surprised by how cheap, accessible, and convenient the place is, compared to any hostel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, where things are extremely expensive. The rooms here are clean, the people are nice, and all the amenities are easily available.

Have the white nights started already?

Maybe yes and no! Sometimes you can spot the sun even at 9 pm, but they are yet to match our expectations. Perhaps we will feel them more strongly in the middle of May. They will certainly be more prominent than what I experienced in London when I was 9 or 10 because St. Pete is situated more northward.

Do you pursue any hobbies in your free time?

In my free time, I study math, swim, play video games, and binge-watch movies and web series. I’m a huge Marvel fan!

Have you set any goals at ITMO?

I hope to do well at ITMO. Since my school years, I have been interested in math, so getting better at it is one of my goals. Mathematics is one of the most beautiful subjects, which enables you to think differently yet logically and gain a deeper understanding of the world. 

Upgrading my programming skills is also an objective that I wish to achieve. I strongly believe that math and computing and their applications in building AI bots like ChatGPT are our future. I like to imagine myself as an artificial intelligence developer or a mathematician. 

What would you advise future students in Israel who want to study abroad from your experience?

I would advise students to choose their subject carefully. If your subject is related to math, you have to love and accept the challenges. Unlike high school, university mathematics covers abstract concepts, so you should try to make as much out of it as possible. If you hate math,  you should opt for other fields. It is important not to shy away from asking for help in these matters from experienced people. 

Also, to be really successful, freshmen should focus on their first year – that is where half of the battle is won. We should learn to adapt to the system and work hard. Achieving success is a challenge and a good life needs lots of good work!