Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg State University, and Corvinus University (Hungary) are academic partners and members of the Global Alliance in Management Education. Zholt Benchik, a student at Corvinus University, spent a semester at GSOM SPbU and shared  his impressions of St. Petersburg, the Mariinsky Theater and the learning process. 

 

 

Expectations and Reality

My trip to Russia could not take place. When I was preparing documents for applying to CEMS MIM, I did not put GSOM SPbU in the first place on the list. Although this tiny mistake could’ve led to a disaster, luckily – something/someone corrected and I ended up spending the best semester of my academic career.  Before the trip to Russia, I was a bit scared – honestly, but now it’s more than difficult to recall why.

 

About GSOM SPbU

A few words about studying at a business school. At GSOM SPbU, Master students study in a building located in the city center, a 15-minute walk from the Hermitage. There are many places near where you can have lunch and have fun. The campus has a great atmosphere. It is easy to communicate with professors in the classroom, the atmosphere in the School is almost family-friendly, especially in the CEMS class. The school administration is helping students, helping to quickly resolve any bureaucratic issues.

 

About St. Petersburg and Russia

Russian people are much friendlier than I expected. I recommend learning a few phrases in Russian, it will definitely help you in any situation. Though I’ve been to many cities claiming the title ‘the Venice of the North’, St. Petersburg is undoubtedly the No.1. There are baroque palaces, beautiful streets, all this is a wonderful legacy of Imperial Russia. When you’ll stroll on the Nevsky Prospect in the direction of Hermitage and take a look left and right at every single corner and on bride, you will understand that it is very hard to find a more elegant and noble city than St. Petersburg. Also I highly recommend visiting the Mariinsky Theater, watching the Nutcracker and Swan Lake ballets.