Sofia Ardabaeva dreams of joining the sailing ship “Yunyi Baltiets”

Maritime professions are traditionally considered to be male-dominated, but it would be foolish to deny that there has been a trend towards increasing participation of women in shipping. 

Slowly, but the shipping sector is changing, and these are girls like Sofia Ardabaeva who change it. She is a first-year navigator cadet of the St. Petersburg Marine Technical Academy named after Admiral D. N. Senyavin.  

Sofia comes from Tula, one of the oldest cities in Russia: “Tula has long been known as a city of gunmakers. We also have the best samovars and famous Tula honey cakes, which are definitely worth tasting. This is my hometown, where I spent my childhood, and this is where my path to the maritime fleet began.” The girl admits that her family fully supported her career choice. “As for my friends, my decision came as a surprise for them.” However, they also approved of my choice - they all agreed that Captain Jack Sparrow’s hat would suit me,” - she laughs. 

According to Sofia, she had a clear understanding that she was interested in everything related to the structure of the ship, navigation, pilotage, and wearing a uniform, as an integral part of the educational process. 

In turn, the main criteria when choosing an educational institution were a state-funded form of education, location and high level of training. So the choice was made in favor of the navigation faculty of St. Petersburg Marine Technical Academy named after Admiral D. N. Senyavin, which is headed by Konstantin Rubenovich Bagdasarov. 

“I wasn’t very good at mathematics and physics at school,” - Sofia admits. “So I thought that I would have difficulties with these subjects in the academy. But, as it turns out, a lot really depends on the teachers and how they deliver the learning material. In this regard, I would like to express special words of gratitude to Marina Lvovna Shmidt and Evgenia Dmitrievna Mineeva. Now I know my way around exact sciences". 

Sofia Ardabaeva really likes how the educational process is structured in the academy. Everything is thought out to the last detail, and experienced teachers are always ready to assist with any questions. “The main thing is to have a desire to learn and improve,” - she says. "We have a very friendly team, where everyone can count on help and support. We are a team!” 

An integral feature of training that determines the cadets' membership in the academy is wearing a uniform. “The uniform helps people unite and foster discipline,” - she believes. "Besides, our uniform is comfortable and stylish". 

Sofia does not yet have shipboard training experience. She hopes that in the near future she will have the opportunity to try her hand as a cadet on board the training sailing ship “Yunyi Baltiets”, operated by the academy. 

It should be noted that shipboard training is necessary for cadets to confirm academic knowledge and obtain practical skills. Besides, a shipboard training is a way to get a service qualification necessary to gain a Certificate of Competency. 

Sofia admits that she is eager to get aboard the "Yunyi Baltiets". " It's a great success to join the ship for shipboard training!" 

Sofia Ardabaeva spends her free time with friends and likes to draw. 

Based on materials from BTO SUR