Ahmed Ehda aallah Usama Khalifa Sayed is a 3rd year student at the Faculty of design, fine arts and media technologies, whose specialization is graphic design. Ehda came to Nizhny Novgorod from Cairo not that long ago in 2015 but she has already learned the Russian language really well, visited many Russian cities and now she is making plans for the future. We’ve talked to the student to find out about her impressions concerning the studies and why she made her choice in favor of Minin University.
Why did you decide to enter Minin University and why did you choose this specialization?
I was looking for the university where I can get a quality education in the field of graphic design. I saw that Minin University trains specialists of such a specialization and I heard that high-level education is provided here and there are a lot of good teachers who are always ready to help. As a result, I decided to come to Russia, to Nizhny Novgorod. And that was the right choice.
At first it was very difficult, because I did not know Russian. During the first academic year I studied Russian, there was a lot of practice.
I really appreciate the opportunity to communicate with students from all over the world at Minin University. Here I got acquainted with culture and history, and here I got my future and already beloved profession.
Minin University hosts a lot of student activities related to sports, art and science.
Teachers of the Faculty of design, fine arts and media technologies always meet their students halfway; involve us to participate in conferences, forums and extracurricular activities. I often have questions about my studies but they never remain unresolved. My teachers give me additional material for studying and I try to do everything on time.
Why are you interested in graphic design? Why have you chosen this particular specialization?
My hobbies are drawing and photography. I really wanted to get education in this sphere.
What academic achievements can you tell us about?
I took part in the VII All-Russian Congress of the Foreign Students Association "Relevant issues of foreign students in Russia" which took place in September 2017 in Kursk. I also visited the19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi.
What project are you working on now? Have you already thought about the topic of the degree thesis?
Now we are undergoing our practice training. I’m working at a magazine: I study the layout, typography and printing methods.
I have already begun to develop the theme of my thesis, which will be devoted to the creation of a journal on the history and culture of some countries. The topic is still under discussion. But I can definitely say that I will focus on such countries as Egypt and Italy.
What are you planning to do after you graduate?
I want to apply for a master degree program at a European university and continue my future career in the sphere of graphic design.
Share your impressions of the city？
When I arrived in Nizhny Novgorod I immediately fell in love with it. This is a city with a long history and with a beautiful Kremlin. I was very impressed by the confluence of two rivers - the Oka and the Volga. And nature in Russian is terrific.
I guess the most distinguished sightseeing attractions are Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, the Kremlin, the Center of Modern Art “Arsenal” and the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum.
By the way, I have already visited Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kursk, Kazan and Sochi. I would also like to visit Volgograd and some cities of Siberia.
What do you like about Russian culture？
I admire the visual arts and literature of Russia. We studied the history of art at the faculty and it really inspired me.