A Contemporary Education and a Multicultural Environment: International Student Life at HSE University
Arfa Amjad, from Pakistan, enrolled in the Master’s programme in Critical Media Studies at HSE University in 2021. In her interview, she talks about how her time at HSE University is an opportunity not only to dive deeper into her field, but to make friends and share cultures with students and lecturers from Russia and around the world.
Arfa Amjad
Applying to HSE University
I came to know about HSE University from a friend who was studying in Russia. He told me about HSE and I searched for the relevant information on the website. The university has English programmes in my field, so I applied and got a full-tuition scholarship with a bursary.
The application process was easy—everything is explained in English on the university’s website
I followed the steps outlined on the online application portal and continued to the next step once the previous one was verified by the university. I didn't have to wait long to get the verification. The only minor effort I had to put in was to translate my academic documents into Russian.
An International Learning Environment
HSE University provides high-quality education with experienced and professional educators in a very friendly environment. The guidance I have received from my lecturers and supervisors has enhanced my knowledge of my relevant field of study. I have interacted with a wide range of talented students from various countries.
My educational experience has been very good. I really enjoy studying in an environment where I can interact not only with students from diverse backgrounds, but also with lecturers from several countries. I learnt Harvard style referencing in one of my courses and much more. I am receiving a contemporary education from HSE and am considering some important historical topics.
HSE University makes it very simple for international students to understand the Russian version of academia
I have many friends at HSE. My friend Ulya is from Pakistan, and I have friends from Russia and lots of other countries. Russian people are hard-working and straightforward. I have a really good relationship with all of my friends at HSE. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, studies were remote and I did not get to interact with my colleagues a lot, but I visited the university for some lectures and bonded with my classmates.
Student Life in Moscow
My experience in Moscow has been very nice and I am pleased to be a student of HSE. I have had the best time of my life in Moscow. I have experienced a lot of unique and fascinating things in this city. Although Moscow is a big city, getting around is very easy and cheap due to the number of metro stations and buses.
Moscow is a very beautiful and gigantic city and there are a lot of activities to do—especially for international students
My accommodation—HSE Dormitory 1—has a cafe and a neat, clean kitchen. Things like cooking food, washing clothes, and the overall lifestyle in the dormitory are very easy and pleasant. There is also a gym there, so I can take good care of my fitness too. I had a great experience living with Nigerian and Armenian roommates. I really enjoyed my time with them. There are several international students there, so we had a chance to learn about different cultures and norms. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity.
More #HSEAsItIs stories are available on the official Telegram channel dedicated to admission opportunities for foreign undergraduate and graduate applicants in 2022.
See also:
HSE University-St Petersburg Holds Pakistani Culture Night
On November 9, the building on Kantemirovskaya Street hosted Pakistani Culture Night. More than 80 people attended the event, including students and alumni of St Petersburg universities as well as Raja Qadeer Ahmed, a representative of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The event was organised by Syed Junaid Abbas, an international student of HSE University-St Petersburg.
Diversity of Cultures, Values, Traditions: Orientation Session for International Students
At the end of August, HSE University held orientation events for first-year international students. Nearly 800 students from 70 different countries attended sessions at the HSE Cultural Centre to learn about the visa and migration processes for staying in the Russian Federation, the opportunities at HSE and the student life there. They also took a tour of the Pokrovka campus.
‘The Problems Are the Same Everywhere. If You Want to Bring Changes, You Have to Do It Collectively’
Kafayat Ali, from the city of Depalpur in Pakistan, is a graduate of Lahore Leads University and a current student of the HSE Preparatory Year programme. In September, he will begin his studies on the Master’s in Critical Media Studies at HSE University-Moscow. In this interview, Kafayat explains how he helps others discover HSE University, how the Prep Year programme prepares students for their time in Russia, and why studying a country’s social issues can help people all over the world.
‘Moscow Is a Living, Breathing Storybook’
Zeeshan Haider, 25, comes from Quetta, Pakistan. He is a first-year Master’s student of ‘Science of Learning and Assessment’ at the HSE Institute of Education. Sanwal Iftikhar, 23, from Punjab region, Pakistan, is in his first year of the Master’s in Strategic Corporate Finance at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences. In this interview, they talk about their experiences of studying in Russia, exploring Moscow, and adapting to life in a new country.
‘HSE Is an International University that Represents Different Cultures and Peoples’
On December 19, the atrium of the HSE Pokrovka building hosted the ‘HSE Is the World’ festival, which brought together over 20 student cultural clubs and associations. Their representatives told the participants about the winter holiday traditions of various nationalities, ran quizzes, and held games. The event was organised by the HSE Department of Internationalisation.
Okro Soup, Bubble Tea, and Relleno: International Students Share Their New Year's Traditions
HSE University is home to international students from all over the world, many of whom will be celebrating the New Year in Russia for the first time. They shared their plans for the festive season with the HSE News Service and spoke about holiday traditions and dishes in their home countries of China, Ecuador, Pakistan, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Guatemala, and India.
‘Professionals Who Have Studied Outside Their Home Countries Should Shape New Narratives’
Studies in lockdown, the fun of Russian classes, and the hardships of learning microeconomics: the HSE News Service talked to three international students of economics who are getting their master’s degrees from HSE University this year.
‘Master’s in Comparative Social Research Is a Perfect Fit for My Academic Needs’
Aleena Khan, from Pakistan, is currently pursuing a master's in Comparative Social Research at HSE University, Moscow. Despite studying online in the first semester, she already feels part of the HSE student community. In her interview, Aleena talks about the admissions process, her favourite courses, and her general impressions.