Master’s graduate from Nigeria Ibeojo Godwin Ojore: «Use Every Opportunity»

— Godwin, good afternoon! How did you end up in Russia and at Polytech specifically?

— I came to Russia seven years ago for a quality higher education — I completed both my bachelor's and master's degrees here. I chose Russia because of its strong engineering school and prospects. I enrolled at Polytech for several reasons: I was attracted by the quality of teaching in English, the university was recommended by friends, and the deciding factor was a scholarship I won based on the results of the Open Doors international Olympiad for master's studies. And I can say: I've come to love this country!

— Why did you choose Electrical engineering?

— The interest came from personal experience. In my childhood, we constantly faced power outages. This sparked a desire to solve such problems. Participating in competitions and interacting with passionate people, including my brother, an electrical engineer, strengthened my choice. I realized I wanted to contribute to the development of the energy sector.

— Tell us about your research work at Polytech.

— My research supervisor suggested I delve into nuclear energy, and I agreed. Although my first application for a competition wasn't successful, I didn't give up. I started actively attending conferences and learning from others' experiences. An unforgettable impression was the World Youth Festival in Sochi in 2023! Winter schools were especially valuable: there, I deepened my knowledge and presented on Russian and global nuclear energy.

— What were your first impressions of St. Petersburg and Polytech?

— First, it was very cold! I'm from the south, where winter is minus five degrees Celsius. It was a shock here! But then the architecture won me over — incredibly beautiful. And at Polytech... The professors are just perfect! They explain things very well and are always ready to help, even if you write to them at night. The level of the lecturers is very high. Studying in English for the master's program was an excellent decision, and having a diploma in English is a big plus.

— What was the most difficult part?

— Honestly, the master's program didn't seem very difficult to me since it was in English; the bachelor's degree was harder. The main difficulty for foreigners is the Russian language. The professors were my main support. They provided extra materials, links, and explained things instantly. I didn't spend much time trying to figure things out on my own.

— How did you handle the workload?

— Personal life? I hardly had any! I was working and studying simultaneously; I had to support myself. So, I concentrated on lectures and studied at night, from twelve to three. In the morning — classes, then work. That's how I built my schedule.

— Were there any difficulties with adaptation or the language?

— With bureaucracy, it was generally understandable; only at the beginning, in the international office, there were queues due to the workload. With the language? Oh yes! When I arrived in November 2018, it was incredibly hard. The academic language of the professors was new to me. Thanks to the senior students — they advised me to record lectures and then review them at home, and to take pictures of the slides. Now I understand almost everything!

— Did you manage to immerse yourself in Russian culture?

— Yes! I have Russian friends, have visited their homes, listened to music, and tried the cuisine. Not all dishes were to my liking right away (borscht seemed like "water" at first compared to our thick soups), but I try to respect the culture and the people. The experience was very positive. I also celebrate holidays — New Year, Christmas. I visit friends out of town. It's like family.

— What are your plans after graduation?

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

— Your main advice for future international students of Polytech?

— Use every opportunity! Participate in programs, conferences, anything! Networking is 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 professors here are always ready to help. And participate more in extracurricular activities — I was too focused on studies and work, and that's something worth adjusting. Polytech has a lot to offer