Students testimonials

Jordi Aerts, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Belgium (Winter School 2019 “Modern SAP Technologies”)

My time at Polytechnic University of Saint Petersburg was an all out amazing experience. From start to finish I was surrounded by wonderful people. Upon arrival at the airport I had all the help I could ask for by one of the students of the university. This led to an immediate feeling of ease. From the first day of the course up until the last our class was taken good care off. The start in the impressive main building was organized in great fashion, and after the introduction we had a little general information which all proved to be very useful. To end the day there was a little pub quiz which led to a lot of people being able to come together and form friendships. The teacher was an expert in her course and made the lessons very easy to pick up on. The cultural program was interesting as well, the ability to visit the Hermitage with its seemingly endless works of art and the astonishing Winter Palace. The lovely people who organized everything for us even ended up joining my group of friends for a birthday dinner/drink. After that we even went out for dinner multiple times during our stay and this sort of feeling that you’re more a group of friends than students/organizers made my stay and that of my fellow students unforgettable. All in all I can not recommend people enough to take the chance to attend a summer or winter school event and have the opportunity to meet the most amazing people from the school itself and your fellow students who attend the courses.

Sandhya Pavalavannan, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, India (Winter School 2019 “Civil Engineering”)

Hi, it's been a great time after the winter school. Now I am pursuing my postgraduate course. So far I have attended few interviews in my undergraduate level and the international exposure that I gained from the winter school has made me stand out of the crowd. Attending the winter school is definitely one of the mile stone in my career. We actually got international industrial knowledge about our sector. Interacting with other international students provided us with various knowledge aspects. We are immensely thankful for the warm hospitality and service provided by the program organizers. Fun filled learning, industrial trips, training by real industrial faculty, interactive sessions were the key point of the program. St. Petersburg weather is one which we couldn't resist talking about. On the whole the winter school program has carved unforgettable memories and knowledge in us.

Yibing Zhao, Tsinghua University, China (Winter School 2019 “Doing Business in Russia”)

Hello everyone, I am Yibing Zhao from Tsinghua University, Beijing. I was in the program 'Doing Business in Russia' of International Polytechnic Winter School in 2019. This two-week experience in Saint-Petersburg left me an extraordinary memory and many take-aways. In classes, we learned the Russian history, economic and social development, as well as the Russian business environment and entrepreneurship. The well-arranged schedule enriched this short program by guiding us to Pushkin and Hermitage and the field trips to factories. Saint Petersburg fascinated me with its beautiful scenery and abundant cultural heritages, and left me no reason for not coming and visiting again.

Daniele Cortesi, University of Bergamo (Winter School 2019 “Turbomachinery”)

It was a wonderful experience, which I would do again, surely. Landscapes and city that, covered by snow, had a magical side. I appreciated the various activities offered by the university and the volunteers, always available and friendly.

Diana Mistreanu, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg (Winter School 2019 “Russian Language and Culture”)

In late February, Saint Petersburg’s magnificent streets, colourful facades, and its cultural as well as its (particularly lively, I must say) nightlife are shrouded in wintry magic, and the Nordic vibes of the city are so cosy that they give you the feeling you’ve just stepped into a different dimension of the existence. That alone is so overwhelmingly beautiful that you’d think that this city just can’t offer much more than that.

Well, you’d be wrong, as I discovered while attending the Winter School in Russian language and Culture organised by Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University – one of the city’s oldest and most prestigious academic centres.

I enrolled out of curiosity. I wanted to brush up on my Russian and didn’t really expect much of the program, but, turns out, I was surprised right from the start. One of the best things about this experience was the highly professional staff – the teachers are well-trained, widely read, energetic and ready to answer any question you might come up with, whether it is about the Russian Dative, Dostoyevsky or the history of the city. For someone interested in art and history, the afternoon sessions will be delightful. The teachers are knowledgeable and eloquent, and the program coordinator makes sure you have everything you need to enjoy the time you’re spending there. It was, overall, an unforgettable experience, which successfully combined studying, sightseeing, and having fun!

Thank you all for working so hard and making it possible!