Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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SPbPU Master's graduate Do The Manh received one of the university's highest awards – a gold medal. He studied at the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications in the field of "Secure Telecommunication Systems". In an interview, he spoke about his path, his love for St. Petersburg and advice to future international students.
— Congratulations on the gold medal! This is an outstanding achievement. Tell us why you chose Russia, St. Petersburg and the Polytechnic?
— For the Vietnamese, Russia is a friendly country. Historical ties are very strong. We know that Russia has powerful technologies, especially in telecommunications — reliable, excellent systems. First, I chose a direction, then decided to study in Russia, and then I learned about the Polytechnic. It attracted me not only by the level of science, but also by the atmosphere, the beauty of the city and student life.
— You went from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree at the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications. Why telecommunications?
— I became interested in it back in school. I liked how Wi-Fi and the Internet worked. I wanted to understand the principles, how it was installed and how it could be improved. That’s how I decided on the direction.
— Have your expectations from studying been met now, with a master’s degree in hand?
– Absolutely! The knowledge turned out to be deep and very important for a future career. Expectations were fully met.
— What were your first impressions of St. Petersburg and the Polytechnic University seven years ago?
— The city captivated me with its beauty right away: the streets, the architecture, the sights. The number of foreign students at the Polytechnic was astounding — over 5,000! We lived in a dormitory. The Russian language was not easy, especially because of the Cyrillic alphabet. But the teachers at the preparatory faculty were amazingly kind and patient, they explained everything very specifically. It helped a lot.
— The path to the gold medal was clearly not easy. What was the most difficult?
— It was very difficult to combine studies with social work. I was the chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Students in St. Petersburg and a member of the association in Russia. There were many organizational matters, and sometimes the balance between studies and social work failed.
— How did you manage to overcome this imbalance?
— The teachers and the management helped. I knew that I could turn to them for help or advice. And I am very grateful for such support — without it, it would have been more difficult to get a medal.
— Which subjects or teachers did you remember the most?
— The classes of my scientific supervisor Alexander Leonidovich Gelgor were especially inspiring. He taught several subjects both in the bachelor's and master's programs. His lectures and seminars were incredibly interesting because they combined theory and practice. I think that not only I, but also most of the group appreciated them for this.
— Besides the language, what difficulties did you face as a foreign student?
— At first, it was difficult to communicate with Russian classmates. My Vietnamese friend and I stuck together, there was a certain wall. But it collapsed after a semester. We started communicating about our studies — we helped each other with assignments, we had a good school base. And then our friendship went beyond the classroom. We went for walks, spent time together.
— Climate, food, everyday life — what was the most unusual?
— The climate! Definitely! In Vietnam, the minimum temperature is 10°C, and in my first winter here I encountered -30°C! It was a shock. But by the second winter I got used to it — it was freezing outside, but the hostel was always warm. There were no problems with food. I really loved borscht! And Russian shashlik is not just food, but a whole atmosphere: company, new places, laughter… A special tradition.
— Did you learn Russian from scratch at the preparatory faculty?
— Almost. In Vietnam, I spent six months learning the basics: the alphabet, basic phrases. Serious grammar and practice began here. I even walked and talked to people on the streets on purpose — I practiced and learned a lot of interesting things about their lives and experiences. The preparatory course gave me much more than just the language.
— What did you like most about St. Petersburg?
— I love everything here! Over the course of seven years, the city, the people, the university, the teachers, the friends — everything has become familiar and dear.
— Did you manage to get to know Russian culture more deeply?
— Yes! Thanks to our work in the association, we were often invited to events by the Committee on External Relations and the Committee on Youth Policy of St. Petersburg. We tried national cuisine and learned about traditions. It is amazing how history is honored and culture is preserved here. This largely explains Russia's place in the world.
— What have these seven years been like for you?
— It was a path from a schoolboy to a specialist. I matured internally, learned to manage my time, earned the respect of those around me. I received a colossal amount of baggage — not only knowledge, but also life experience.
— What skills, professional and personal, do you consider the most valuable?
— The ability to plan studies and life, to manage time. And respect for people — beyond any doubt.
— What would you tell yourself 7 years ago, on your first day at the Polytechnic?
– Don't be shy! Act! There were moments when shyness prevented me from doing something, and then I regretted it. If you want something, do it boldly!
— Was there anything completely unexpected, good or difficult?
— The most unexpected and pleasant surprise was the gold medal! I didn’t even know it existed at first. I found out later, but the main goal was always to gain knowledge in order to apply it in Vietnam. The medal is a wonderful bonus to that.
— What are your plans now? Is a Polytechnic diploma an advantage in Vietnam?
— I'm going back to Vietnam soon to work in my specialty. There's already a place. A Polytechnic diploma is certainly a strong advantage. Russia is known for its technologies, and Polytechnic has a high rating and teachers recognized in our field. This is appreciated.
— Will you maintain contact with Russia?
— Definitely! With friends, teachers, the university. And if the work requires deepening of knowledge, perhaps I will return to graduate school.
— What is your main advice to future foreign students of the Polytechnic University?
— Learn Russian. Don't be shy about communicating with Russians! Plan your studies. Know how to manage your time. And most importantly: don't be afraid to ask your teachers. They are friendly and will always help you figure things out.
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