Indian Master's student Atish Chanda: Polytech has become a second home for me

Atish Chanda is a master's student of the Institute of Energy of SPbPU. Studying at Peter the Great Polytechnic University for a student from India turned out to be not just lectures, practices, exams, but also an exciting adventure of almost two years.

My name is Atish Chanda and I am from Kolkata. It is the fourth most populous city in India and the capital of the state of West Bengal. After completing my bachelor's degree in Japan, I decided to pursue my master's degree and chose Polytechnic University.

What program are you studying in?

I am studying at the Graduate School of High Voltage Power Engineering of the Institute of Energy in the international program "Electric Power Engineering". Now I am working on my thesis on "Development of superconductor suspension for light electric vehicles".

Tell us about your professors.

Professors of Politech show high professionalism and compassion during training. As an international student, I especially appreciate this. They explain complex concepts and examples to students in a clear and accessible way. And I am glad that I can study my major in English in a productive and efficient way.

Atish with friends

Are you studying in any scholarship program?

I have received a scholarship from the Government of India. The aim of the program is to provide financial assistance to talented students. I was selected among other guys and it took me a long time to choose the university I wanted to study at.

How did you adapt to the new city and country?

I was lucky to have been in St. Petersburg before. But I had absolutely no command of the Russian language. Of course, I think this is wrong. I should have taken care of it beforehand. Nevertheless, I have never once felt like a stranger here. Polytech is a very hospitable university for international students. I was assigned an adaptor who helped me at the first stage, until I got used to it. And the main building? Have you seen its architectural aesthetics? I was struck by its beauty from the first moment.

How did you get on with the other students? Have you managed to make friends?

In a year and a half here, I have gotten to know a lot of new people who share a common passion for knowledge. We share our ideas on how we can apply our knowledge in practice, because that is the point of our studies here. Not just to learn theory, but to find its application. We take part in different events: we participated in the Hackathon, went to Obninsk, where the world's first nuclear power plant connected to the power grid is located. And this year I became a participant of the World Youth Festival. One of the most vivid impressions is a Russian bath! My friends in St. Petersburg gave me this unforgettable and completely new experience.

In Polytechnic, Atish made many new friends

What other cities have you been to?

Apart from St. Petersburg, Obninsk, Sochi and Moscow, I've also been to Kamchatka! Certainly in winter! This is a unique place where majestic mountains meet the boundless ocean, and the beauty is breathtaking.

Share your plans for the future?

It's simple! Polytechnic University has become a "home away from home" for me. I love St. Petersburg and the people I meet every day. Most importantly, I can confidently say that I want to continue studying here. I have applied for a quota of the Government of the Russian Federation to enter the postgraduate program. I am sure that next year I will be able to continue my studies. I am convinced that thanks to quality education, I will successfully develop in the field of electric power engineering. I would also like to express my gratitude to my teachers for their patience, support and assistance. I hope for further fruitful cooperation and development at Polytechnic University.