Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Ibeojo Godwin Ojore, a graduate of the SPbPU Master's program from Nigeria in the field of "Electric Power Engineering and Electrical Engineering", told us about his unusual path from Africa to one of the leading technical universities in Russia and shared his impressions of his studies.
– Godwin, good afternoon! How did you end up in Russia and at the Polytechnic?
— I came to Russia seven years ago for a quality higher education — I completed both my bachelor's and master's degrees here. I chose Russia because of its strong engineering school and prospects. I entered the Polytechnic University for several reasons: I was attracted by the quality of teaching in English, my friends recommended the university, and the deciding factor was a scholarship won as a result of the Open Doors international Olympiad for master's degrees. And I can say: I fell in love with this country!
— Why did you choose energy?
— My interest was born from personal experience. As children, we constantly faced power outages. This awakened a desire to solve such problems. Participation in competitions and communication with passionate people, including my brother, an electrical engineer, strengthened my choice. I realized that I wanted to contribute to the development of energy.
— Tell us about your scientific work at the Polytechnic.
— My supervisor suggested delving deeper into nuclear energy, and I agreed. Although my first application for the competition did not pass, I did not give up. I began to actively attend conferences and gain experience. An unforgettable experience was the World Youth Festival in Sochi in 2023! Winter schools are especially valuable: there I deepened my knowledge and represented Russian and global nuclear energy.
— What were your first impressions of St. Petersburg and the Polytechnic?
— First, it’s very cold! I’m from the south, where winter is minus five. It was a shock! But then the architecture captivated me — incredibly beautiful. And at the Polytechnic… The teachers are just perfect! They explain things perfectly, they’re always ready to help, even if you write at night. The level of the lecturers is very high. Studying in English for a master’s degree is a great solution, a diploma in English is a big plus.
— What was the most difficult?
— Honestly, the master's degree did not seem very difficult, since it was in English, the bachelor's degree was more difficult. The main difficulty for foreigners is the Russian language. The teachers were my main support. They gave additional materials, links, explained things instantly. I did not spend much time trying to figure it out myself.
— How did you cope with the workload?
— Personal life? There was almost none! I worked and studied at the same time, I had to provide for myself. So I concentrated on lectures and studied at night, from twelve to three. In the morning — classes, then work. That’s how I built my schedule.
— Were there any difficulties with adaptation or language?
— The bureaucracy was generally clear, only at the beginning, in the international department, there were queues due to the workload. With the language? Oh yes! When I arrived in November 2018, it was incredibly difficult. The academic language of the teachers was new to me. Thanks to the senior students — they advised me to record lectures, then analyze them at home, take pictures of the slides. Now I understand almost everything!
— Did you manage to immerse yourself in Russian culture?
— Yes! I have Russian friends, I have visited them, listened to music, tried the cuisine. I didn’t like all the dishes right away (at first the borscht seemed like “water” after our thick soups), but I try to respect the culture and people. The experience was very positive. I also celebrate holidays — New Year, Christmas. I go to visit friends out of town. It’s like family.
— What are your plans after graduation?
— A difficult question! I applied for an Open Doors scholarship for postgraduate studies. But now I think that I want not pure electrical engineering, but something related to business applications (engineering, project management), since I plan to start my own business. I want to get real practical experience, I am looking for an internship or a job. A Polytechnic diploma will definitely help — the university is very prestigious, it is known and respected at conferences. It opens doors.
— What is your main advice to future foreign students of the Polytechnic University?
— Take advantage of all the opportunities! Participate in programs, conferences, anything! Networking is key. Meet people, make friends. Sometimes connections are more important than knowledge alone. Don’t be afraid to come and ask. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem stupid! The teachers here are always ready to help. And get more involved in extracurricular activities — I was too focused on studying and work, and this needs to be corrected. Polytechnic has a lot to offer!
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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