Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
Postgraduate student at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Nikita Blagoy recently returned from China, where he completed an internship at the Dalian University of Technology. He became the winner of the All-Russian open competition for the appointment of scholarships of the President of the Russian Federation for studying abroad. We talked to Nikita about how the trip went, about the difficulties and the experience gained.
— Nikita, what were your first impressions of life in China?
— I immediately realized that this is a completely different world. The level of digitalization here is amazing: cash is almost never used, even fruit sellers on the street have QR codes for payment via WeChat or Alipay. But at the same time, the language barrier creates serious problems. Few people here speak English, so even simple everyday tasks, such as getting a SIM card or opening a bank account, require effort.
— How did you cope with these difficulties?
— I was lucky to meet guys who studied linguistics and already knew Chinese well. They helped me with translation and explained how local services work. Without their support, it would have been much more difficult. I also started learning basic phrases in Chinese to at least minimally communicate with the locals.
— How was studying in China? Are there any differences from Russian education?
— My internship was related to scientific work. I was doing research in the field of digitalization of business processes, studying Chinese scientific works and writing part of my dissertation. I had a scientific supervisor in China who helped with data analysis and consulted on local specifics.
As for differences, discipline is very strict in China. For example, students have mandatory physical training: they have to run 30 times 3 km per semester. They also take exams seriously: cheating is strictly punished, and students are motivated to gain knowledge, not just grades.
— What surprised you most about the Chinese education system?
— I was impressed by how involved Chinese students are in the learning process. From the first year, everyone has a supervising teacher who helps in difficult situations. Foreign students are treated with special attention here, understanding that adaptation takes time. It is also striking how much physical culture and traditions are valued in China. For example, in physical education, students study kung fu and other martial arts.
— What competencies did you acquire during your internship?
— Firstly, I have significantly improved my skills in working with scientific data. I have managed to collect unique material on digitalization in China, which I am using in my dissertation. Secondly, I have learned to adapt to new conditions faster and find a common language with people, even if we speak different languages. And, of course, I have become more independent and self-confident.
— What advice would you give to those planning to go on an internship abroad?
— First, don’t be afraid of difficulties. It’s better to try and face problems than to miss an opportunity. Second, develop communication skills: the ability to communicate, negotiate and find a way out of difficult situations. And believe in yourself. Even if something doesn’t work out, it’s not a reason to give up.
— What are your plans after graduate school?
— For now, I am focused on finishing my dissertation. But the experience I gained in China has opened up new horizons for me. I am considering continuing my research in the field of digitalization, perhaps in an international format. China has shown me how important it is to be part of the global scientific community, and I want to develop in this direction.
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