Testimonials

Sami Wehbe

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.

Sami Wehbe, Georgetown School of Foreign Service, Qatar (Summer School 2015, module “Exploring the Russian Heritage”)
Sakura Bissenbayeva

Recently I finished the Summer School at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Here I had a course “Applied Tools of the Project Development” under the conduction of Professors Olga Kolosova, Gennady Kovalenko and Olga Sosidko. I chose this course because its content is tightly related with my topic of Master’s thesis and I wanted to learn more about project risks and how to manage them. During the course Professors introduced us with risks, gave the main idea of risk management and practical skills on a few computer programs commonly used for project risks. Moreover, we had interesting excursions to the local companies, such as “Elma” and “St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry”, where we knew about project realization based on real examples of Heads of organizations. It was very useful knowledge and the best way to study the subjects on course. In addition, every day I had improved my English communication skills and gained a lot of new friends from all over the world. That’s really cool!J

The last but not the least, the cultural program and events that we had within this Summer School was great and full of fun in one of the most beautiful city of the world – St. Petersburg. Despite its unpredictable weather with quite often drizzles, we enjoyed the fascinating city architecture, historical buildings, museums, especially the world’s famous Hermitage, a lot of theatres, and cathedrals and were totally amazed by the bridges’ drawing while our late walks at white nights.

At the end, I would like to say for future students, who are planning to take part at the next Summer School at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University that “it is a unique opportunity to broaden your vision, enrich your culture, grow professionally and obtain all these unforgettable new experiences in a wonderful city called St. Petersburg”.

Sakura Bissenbayeva, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan (Summer School 2016, module “Applied Tools of the Project Development”)
Magnus de Witt

I followed the summer school "OPEN YOUR MIND TO RUSSIA" in 2013, it was a well organized mix of lectures and social program. The social program shows us the most important and famous historical and cultural heritage like Peterhof and the Hermitage, but also the life in St. Petersburg nowadays. The lectures gave me a good overview about the history and culture of Russia. Moreover I got a good impression of the develop of the Russian economy. The knowledge which I gain during this two week program was very helpful for my further studying, especially for my class in "International Business and Cultural Diversity". I really like to get in contact with people from other countries therefore it was a great opportunity and I could extend my international network.

Magnus de Witt, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands (Summer School 2013, module “Open Your Mind to Russia”)
James Chong Khi Tse

Summer School of Russian Studies in SPbPU was one of the best decisions I made this summer! Having the opportunity to visit Russia allowed me to learn the Russian language, culture and history.

I came away with a much greater appreciation for a country that doesn’t get much publicity. In particular, SPbPU was a great host university. From arranging to receive us from the airport to ensuring we are settled into our accommodation, SPbPU made us feel very welcome in a very foreign land. The White Nights programme was planned really well, as we had a very experienced language tutor in class, as well as a very knowledgeable guide who accompanied us for all the ‘field trips’.

We were treated to visits to places such as the Hermitage, Peterhof Palace, and they even arranged for us to see the opening of the iconic drawbridges at night! Lastly, for such a complete experience in St Petersburg, SPbPU ensured that it was all kept really affordable, especially so when compared to other summer study programmes elsewhere. Would definitely recommend this programme to others!

James Chong Khi Tse, Singapore, student of Nanyang Technological University (module “The Challenge of the White Nights”)
Elizabeth Millet

I absolutely love Russian language, and it was very important for me to study in SPbPU! The classes about the Russian Art and Culture were great. We learnt about the history, traditions and customs of Russia, as well as about politics and some social aspects. What is more, we had the chance to see Russia as insiders. I think that during this Summer School I could understand Russia in a rather good way. I am interested in International relations and I would really like to work in this country, so I hope to use my Russian language skills in this sphere in future.

Elizabeth Millet, National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations, France (Summer School 2017, modules “Focus on Russia” and “Exploring the Russian Heritage”)