Ibeojo Godwin Ojore, Master of SPbPU from Nigeria: Take advantage of ALL opportunities!

Ibeojo Godwin Ojore, a graduate of SPbPU from Nigeria with a master’s degree in Electric Power Engineering and Electrical Engineering, shared with us his unique path from Africa to one of the leading technical universities in Russia and his impressions of his studies.

— Godwin, good afternoon! How did you end up in Russia and at the Polytechnic University?

— I came to Russia seven years ago for a high-quality higher education — I completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees here. I chose Russia because of its strong engineering school and prospects. I entered the Polytechnic for several reasons: I was attracted by the quality of teaching in English, my friends recommended the university, and the decisive factor was the scholarship won by the results of the Open Doors International Olympiad for Graduate Studies. And I can say: I fell in love with this country!

— Why did you choose energy?

— The interest was born from personal experience. As children, we were constantly faced with power outages. This aroused the desire to solve such problems. Participating in competitions and communicating with enthusiastic people, including my brother, an electrical engineer, strengthened my choice. I realized that I want to contribute to the development of energy.

— Tell us about your scientific work at Polytechnic University.

— My supervisor suggested to go deeper into nuclear power engineering, and I agreed. Although the first application for the competition failed, I did not give up. He began to actively attend conferences and learn from his experience. An unforgettable experience is 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 Polytechnic University?

— First — it’s very cold! I’m from the south, where winter is minus five. There was a shock! But then I was captivated by the architecture — incredibly beautiful. And at the Polytechnic... The teachers are just perfect! They explain perfectly, they are always ready to help, even if you write at night. The level of lecturers is very high. Studying in English for a master’s degree is an excellent solution, and a diploma in English is a big plus.

— What was the most difficult part?

— Honestly, the master’s degree didn’t seem very difficult, because it was in English, the bachelor’s degree was more difficult. The main difficulty for foreigners is the Russian language. The teachers are my main support: they gave me additional materials, links, and explained everything instantly. I didn’t spend much time to figure it out myself.

— How did you cope with the workload?

— Personal life? It was almost gone! I worked and studied at the same time, I had to provide for myself. That’s why I concentrated on lectures and studied... At night, from twelve to three. Lectures in the morning, then work. That’s how I built up the schedule.

— Were there any difficulties with adaptation or language?

— It was clear with the bureaucracy as a whole, only at the beginning, in the international department, there were queues because of the workload. With the tongue... 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 undergraduates, they advised me to record lectures, then sort them out at home, and take pictures of slides. I understand almost everything now!

— 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 (borscht at first 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 visit friends outside the city, it’s like a family.

— What are your plans after graduation?

— A difficult question! I have applied for an Open Doors scholarship for postgraduate studies. But now I think that I don’t want pure electrical engineering, but something related to business applications (engineering, project management), as I plan to open my own business. I want to get real practical experience; I’m looking for an internship or a job. A Polytechnic university degree will definitely help — the university is very prestigious, it is known and respected at conferences. It opens the doors.

— What is your main advice to future international students of the Polytechnic University?

— Take advantage of ALL the possibilities! Participate in programs, conferences, whatever! Networking is the 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’m too focused on my studies and work, and it’s worth correcting. Polytech has a lot to offer!