Search by tag «International Students Stories» 238 results

• Student Spotlight: Sinem Aygün, Türkiye

  When she came to St. Petersburg, Sinem knew she was signing up for more than just Russian language lessons – she was stepping into a whole new rhythm of life. Currently a student of the Foundation Program, Sinem is not only preparing to begin her Bachelor's in software engineering at ITMO, but also embracing a new lifestyle. In this interview, she shares how her study-abroad experience has helped her grow, both as a student and an individual. 

  12.06.2025

• Student Spotlight: Wang Qin, China

  Wang’s academic journey bridges many worlds – China and Russia, software and hardware, challenges and successes. After completing his Master’s at ITMO, Wang is now preparing to return as a PhD student, having won a full scholarship once again. In this interview, he reflects on his cross-cultural academic path, the value of interdisciplinary research, and how setbacks can become stepping stones.

  05.06.2025

• Student Spotlight: Abdallah Essa, Egypt

  With a background in computer science and a full scholarship via the Open Doors contest, Master’s student Abdallah Essa is now diving deep into the world of big data and machine learning at ITMO University. In this interview, he shares what inspires him, how he's navigating life in Russia, and much more.

  29.05.2025

• Student Spotlight: Basil Soufi, USA

  What brings an American student from California to the heart of St. Petersburg? For Basil Soufi, the answer lies in his lifelong curiosity, love for cities, and fascination with global cultures. Now pursuing a Master’s degree in Digital Urban Studies at ITMO, this globe-trotting urbanist believes every city – and every student – deserves to see the world beyond their borders.

  22.05.2025

• Student Spotlight: Sophia Gallegos, USA

  Not quite a foreigner, not quite a native – Sophia Gallegos lives in the in-between. An American who finished high school in Russia and now studies biotechnology at ITMO, Sophia blends the two worlds with quiet confidence, sharp wit, and a cup of tea always close by. Whether she's collecting colorful salts or dodging cultural clichés, Sophia is proof that not all international students’ stories follow the same script.

  15.05.2025

• Student Spotlight: Sara Samine, Morocco

  Some experiences stay with you forever – whether it's snowfall in the mountains of Morocco or a stroll along Nevsky Prospekt beneath the winter lights. For Sara Samine, her exchange semester at ITMO wasn’t just her first time abroad; it was a leap into the unknown that brought her closer to herself. In this interview, Sara shares how courage, curiosity, and community helped her find unexpected strength, cross-cultural connections, and a second home in St. Petersburg.

  01.05.2025

• Student Spotlight: Reham Adel Hammoud, Syria

  Meet Reham – an aspiring biotechnologist who's also not afraid to tackle the complexities of Russian grammar. Between searching for biomedical breakthroughs and poring over the works of Chekhov, she's finding beauty in both the lab and the language. Read on!

  24.04.2025

• Student Spotlight: Joullanar Ali, Syria

  She can explain the intricacies of Russian verbs, play a solid game of ping pong, and tell you why data is the new oil – all in the same conversation! Meet Joullanar Ali, a future big data specialist from Syria who’s currently mastering Russian at ITMO before diving into her Master’s studies. Insightful, adaptable, and quietly ambitious, she’s not just learning new systems but reprogramming her own.

  17.04.2025

• Student Spotlight: Aleksandr Furlan, Italy

  “A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it," said the writer George Augustus Moore. For Aleksandr Furlan, that journey has led him not just across borders but back to his roots. With an Italian father and a Russian mother, for Aleksandr studying at ITMO University is both an adventure abroad and a quiet homecoming. Currently enrolled in the Foundation Program, he’s not only learning a new language, but also a new way of living – one tea break, one coding project, and one frozen-lake plunge at a time. Read on!

  10.04.2025

• Student Spotlight: Cheikh Ebe Oumar, Mauritania

  What happens when you take a tech-savvy problem-solver from the sun-soaked Nouakchott and drop him into the snowy St. Petersburg? You get Cheikh Ebe Oumar, a Master’s student at ITMO who is navigating the world of web technologies while learning to survive chilly winters. In this interview, Cheikh shares his thoughts on why ITMO’s "break-it-to-build-it" approach to learning is the perfect fit for an aspiring innovator. Let’s jump in!

  03.04.2025