Testimonials
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.
The university is great, the city is great and for me, people here are really great too! Three weeks what I have learnt is not only the knowledge from SAP program but also the real Russia.
I have to admit that the first impression on Russia is just like the American Journalist in the TV series «Как я стал русским». As is known, tanks, bears, of course, and the Водка. Actually all above is not true. The street is clean and sky is blue. There are tanks only for exhibition.
When I started my class, I found my Russian classmates Alexandra had lots of interaction with our teacher Anna. It is open minded. Compared to the classes in my university, students usually listen to teachers without any questions or discussion. Maybe it is our disadvantage. I felt free in the classes and I could ask questions anytime. SPBPU has a long history and there’re many famous professors. Anna showed us how students work with professors to solve the innovated programs and it’s impressive.
Our tutor Nikita, the pretty boy showed us a lot of amazing places which usually tourists may not come. We have been to the amusement park. I guess it’s also Russian style. The projects are crazy. I tried the rollercoaster and it felt amazing. It means some kind of achievement to me. Later we saw the gulf of Finland and the new skyscraper. It will be a new Petersburg. I really expect to come back and witness the changes happening here.
I really love you, SPB and people who lives here!
The summer school was an excellent experience and I am very grateful that Polytech gave me the opportunity to experience Russia firsthand and make my dream of learning Russian possible on a scholarship. I made so many close friends there and got to visit so many different cultural sites that I would not have visited otherwise. The most amazing thing that I witnessed there was the White nights. A great thank you to everyone who made the summer school possible and for providing me with a perspective of Russia that I would not have gotten otherwise.
I would have never imagined how a three-week course could change someone in such a good way. Nowadays, I am definitely not the same person who landed in Saint Petersburg on the 16th of August. Behind me, I left a great university, one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited and many nice people I am sure I will meet again. But I am taking back home much more. I have discovered a new country and a new culture from inside with the help of local people (such as our tutors, coordinators and teachers) and with the company of a diverse international group that both contributed to make a brilliant and unique experience
I would like to thank you for making the Polytechnic summer school, July 2017, a very memorable and productive event. That was made very professional in every aspect from the very beginning to the end. It was motivating opportunity and will be remembered by the participants for a long time. Thanks again!