When asked why he chose to leave Russia to study at Switzerland's ETH Zurich, Nikolay Kobyshev, an MSc Computer Science student, answers without hesitation.
“Studying abroad is a must in the times of globalization. A degree from abroad has its advantages such as international work experience and the opportunity to explore new cultures and countries.”
Zeroing in on ETH Zurich, Switzerland, wasn’t a difficult decision to make for this 21-year-old. He had heard a lot about ETH Zurich while doing his undergraduate degree in computer science at Saint-Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Russia.
Aiming for the best
Nikolay became even more attracted to the idea of studying at ETH because of the university's high position in global university rankings, and its strong international reputation.
So, by the time he wrapped up his bachelor’s degree in June last year, he had already decided to follow his dream of earning a master’s degree from ETH Zurich.
Even though ETH was his first choice, to play safe, he had applied to universities in Germany and the UK as well. However, when ETH accepted him for the master’s program, he happily cancelled his applications to the other universities.
Quality of education and research were high on Nikolay’s agenda, so he did a careful scanning of the course content before deciding which one to take. “The research undertaken by ETH Zurich in the field of Visual Computing appealed to me. The MSc in Computer Science, with special focus on visual computing, offered me exactly what I was looking for,” he says.
Winning a scholarship grant covered his cost of living, tuition fee and study expenses in Switzerland. “Getting the scholarship helped me maintain focus on studies, rather than worrying about getting part-time jobs to cover the costs of living and accommodation in Switzerland,” observes Nikolay.
Settling in
The help extended by the ETH staff to find a place to live in Zurich was timely and something he is extremely grateful about. “It is really difficult to find a flat here, so the help from ETH was invaluable,” he says.
Nikolay enjoys studying at ETH and feels that although the subjects can be a bit tough sometimes, the classes always manage to absorb him completely. “Studies at ETH are extremely well-organized, the classrooms well-equipped and the professors are leading specialists in their fields,” he says.
He also appreciates the freedom students enjoy in choosing their own curriculum. “The syllabus at ETH is flexible. Students have complete control over the courses they want to study. Also, the web services allow students to control all aspects of their university life using their laptops—from registering for a course to finding a tasty meal,” he says.
Life beyond lectures
Beyond the classrooms, there is enough happening to promise a busy social life for students. On campus, there is always something exciting being organized by the student association. Off campus, the natural beauty of Switzerland is ready to sweep you off your feet. According to Nikolay, the best way to enjoy the scenic splendour of Switzerland is on a bike. Skiing is also one of his favorite indulgences.
Having gone through the whole process of applying and getting admission in an international institute, Nikolay has some precious pearls of wisdom to share. “My professor of physics in Russia gave me an advice that has helped me many times. He told me to never hesitate to write directly to the university regarding any questions related to admissions, accommodation, fee and so on,” he says.
Like many other international students who have to live away from their family, Nikolay feels that there are two things they must have when going abroad to study. “Buy a cookbook to survive in the kitchen and a webcam to stay in touch with your family,” he advises.
After completing his master’s degree, he intends to continue his studies by enrolling in a PhD program at ETH only. “I hope to be accepted to the ETH PhD program,” he says.