"Open Doors Opened the Next Chapter of My Life": Olympiad Winners Share Their Experiences at Polytech

Why do international applicants choose Polytech, what helps them overcome admission challenges, and how does studying in Russia change their plans? Students at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), who enrolled after winning the Open Doors International Olympiad organized by the Global Universities Association (https://opendoors.spbstu.ru), share their experiences—from the first steps toward admission to research in artificial intelligence and fully funded master’s studies.

For Al-Falah Marwan Mohammed, taking part in the Olympiad marked the beginning of a new stage in his academic journey. Moving to Russia and studying at SPbPU helped him turn his interest in artificial intelligence into research, particularly in multi-agent systems.

Open Doors changed the scale of what I thought was possible for me. I applied because I wanted to pursue a serious academic path in artificial intelligence, but winning gave me more than just admission. It gave me the chance to come to Russia, enroll at SPbPU, and become part of an environment that encouraged me to think more deeply about research and the kind of work I want to do in the future, Marwan says.

Moving abroad took time and adjustment: he had to get used to a new country, a different education system, and an unfamiliar pace of life. Gradually, he settled in and was able to focus on his academic interests.

Step by step, I found my place, gained confidence, and began turning my interests into real research in multi-agent systems and artificial intelligence. Looking back, I see Open Doors not simply as an application that helped me get into university, but as a decision that opened the next chapter of my life, Marwan says.

For Charles Ibok Eyo-Ita from Nigeria, English-taught degree programs played an important role in his choice of SPbPU. He is studying International Business. He remembers preparing his application as a lengthy process in which understanding the documentation requirements was especially important.

I wanted not only to get an education abroad, but also to experience another culture and gain new knowledge. At the same time, Open Doors is especially important for young people who cannot afford to pay for their studies themselves, Charles explains.

He learned about the Olympiad from a friend, although he had previously seen its advertisements on social media. According to Charles, the document-upload stage stretched over two years. The main challenges involved preparing the required paperwork, having it legalized, and dealing with technical problems: when his laptop broke down, he almost missed the final stage.

Prompt communication with the university helped him throughout the admission process.

Polytech kept sending me emails and responded to my questions very quickly, providing the information I needed before arriving, the student notes.

He now advises future applicants to study the Olympiad requirements in advance and prepare a complete set of documents.

Prepare in advance, ask questions before submitting your application, and make sure you have all the necessary documents. Some people think applying is easy, but submitting the application is not the end of the process. At the final stage, it is especially important to make sure that all your documents are in order, Charles emphasizes.

Naif Mohammed Mahdi Al-Falah from Yemen enrolled in the Intelligent Systems master’s program at SPbPU’s Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity. The opportunity to earn a master’s degree with full funding was one of the Olympiad’s main advantages for him.

Naif learned about Open Doors while searching online for scholarship programs to study in Russia. The selection process consisted of two stages: preparing an academic portfolio and taking an online exam in his chosen field. He had to prepare particularly carefully for the exam.

The most difficult part for me was preparing for the second stage. It required in-depth subject knowledge and the ability to manage my time effectively. I reviewed key topics and worked through assignments from previous years, Naif says.

The student now values the opportunities offered by studying at Polytech, including taking part in research and engaging with an international student community. He also highlights the university’s supportive academic environment.

Naif advises future Olympiad participants not to put off their preparation and to pay particular attention to their portfolio and the exam.

Start preparing early, put together a strong academic portfolio, and practise for the exam. Most importantly, believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to apply. It’s an opportunity worth taking, the student advises.

The stories of Marwan, Charles, and Naif show that the path to studying at a Russian university can be shaped by different circumstances: research interests, a desire for international experience, careful preparation, and the search for financial support. For each of them, the Open Doors International Olympiad became a way to move closer to their educational goals.

Registration for the Open Doors International Olympiad organized by the Global Universities Association closes on November 1, 2026. International applicants planning to study in Russia can still register and take the first step toward admission. Don’t miss your chance!