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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.

All participants received a welcome package from the university that included an international student handbook with all the essential rules, recommendations, and contacts for successfully adapting to the university and city.

Victoria Panova
© Mikhail Dmitriev/ HSE University

Victoria Panova, Vice Rector of HSE University and Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, congratulated everyone on their successful completion of entrance exams and enrolment in the university. ‘HSE is a multidisciplinary research university that consistently ranks highly on both the national and international stages and is trusted by employers. Together, we open the doors to a new and exciting world of knowledge and endless opportunities that are available to each and every of you. By coming here, you have made a conscious decision to embark on an adventure that will undoubtedly be breath-taking and life-changing. Let me congratulate you on your choice to become part of our university, a university that welcomes students from all over the world. A university that educates over 5,400 international students from 140 different countries. And it is not just a number that grows every year with you, our new students, it’s an embodiment of diversity in cultures, values, beliefs, and traditions. It is a whole world at HSE University!’

The main information session was presented by managers of the Support and Career Centre for International Students and Alumni. They talked about mandatory documents, safety basics, student support programmes, and available university resources.

Kirill Kisel, Director for Internationalisation

The orientation session for international students is not just an annual event organised by HSE, it is a tradition that has been established over the past six years. During the admissions process, applicants do not interact with each other, but rather participate remotely in the competition. At the orientation meetings, each applicant finally gets a chance to look at the people sitting next to them. This seems to give a significant boost of energy before the start of not only a new academic year, but also a new chapter in life. Our goal is to make the experience of foreign students as comfortable as possible in a new environment, help them adapt to the new conditions, and, of course, assist in resolving any issues that may arise.

Zhanna Sorokina, Director of the Support and Career Centre for International Students and Alumni

This year's orientation programme has been significantly improved compared to previous years. During the registration process for seminars and the distribution of welcome packages, we collect some information and documents from international students to avoid them having to go through the hassle of copying them separately and coming to Pokrovka. The international student handbook has undergone a complete redesign, making it easier to use and faster to find relevant information thanks to colour-coded sections. In addition, the istudents.hse.ru international student support website has also been updated in time for the academic year. It now offers a hub for all international students, with a separate page dedicated to freshmen, and a user-friendly mobile version.

Representatives from culture clubs and the Student Initiative Support Centre introduced the audience to a variety of student communities, regular cultural, sporting, and scientific festivals, marathons, and trips. They also shared some useful tips on how to organise one’s own event.

Students asked questions about the specifics of the learning process and opportunities to participate in student organisations. The event concluded with an informal networking session where students exchanged contact information and discussed their expectations for studying at the university. International students also shared their first impressions of HSE and the orientation meeting.

Victoria from Moldova—Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics Programme

In March 2024, I attended the World Youth Festival in Sochi. The country was very hospitable and I felt at home everywhere I went. I love the Russian language and culture; I made many friends during my visit and still stay in touch with them. I chose HSE because it is a young and stylish university with an excellent reputation. At first, I considered economics or management as my field of study, but I am now very glad that I chose Supply Chain Management instead. This field is promising and in demand, and I plan to continue my studies in this area and obtain my master's degree in Russia.

Emmanuel from Ghana—Politics, Economics, and Philosophy Programme

This is my first time in Russia, Moscow, and HSE. To be honest, I have been in Moscow for less than 24 hours, as I arrived just yesterday. I was fortunate to have all the procedures at the airport go smoothly and have a buddy to meet and assist me. My programme in Politics, Economics, Philosophy is perfect for me, as I have completed my bachelor’s degree in economics. However, to be a good economist, one needs to understand politics well, too. The orientation session was very clear and informative, and I appreciate all the efforts put into organising it.

Ayesha from Pakistan—Sociology Programme

I chose to study in Russia because of the excellent education system. HSE University has a high ranking with many talented professors from around the world, and it exceeded my expectations. I enjoy my time here so far, and I plan to study in English, while also learning Russian. My dream is to complete a PhD at HSE and eventually find a job here.

The orientation week also includes seminars on overcoming cultural shock, including a presentation from the Centre for Psychological Counselling. Volunteers will guide students on tours of the HSE Central Library and around Moscow.

During the first semester, students can look forward to various cultural and adaptation events, such as the ‘Welcome to Tajikistan’ festival, the Extra Festival of extracurricular activities, the Garuda Indonesian Culture Night, and more. To stay up-to-date with important news and announcements, please subscribe to the International Student Support Telegram channel.

See also:

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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.

‘Work Hard and Never Give up on Your Dreams’

In 2024, over 200 students graduated from the ICEF degree programmes. Joshua Baidoo, a 32-year-old student from Ghana who completed the master’s programme in Financial Economics, shared his experiences, challenges, and future plans with the HSE News Service.

'Motivation for Pursuing Big Goals in Life': What is Taught in 'Population and Development' Master's Programme

In 2023, the Master's Programme 'Population and Development' was ranked among the top educational programmes at HSE University. The HSE News Service explains what makes this programme special, and why specialists in population issues should study Python, housing policy, and public administration.

‘Put in the Effort, and You Will Learn a Lot’

Roosevelt Ogah is a first-year student of the master’s programme in Economics and Economic Policy at HSE University. He studies on the research track ‘Microeconomics and Macroeconomics’ and demonstrates very high academic performance. In his interview, he shares his experience of studying abroad for the first time and some tips on how to achieve high results in studies.

‘The Process was Challenging, yet Well-Organised’

Samuel Okai, 28, from Ghana, is a master's student of Strategic Corporate Finance in his final year at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences, majoring in assets pricing. In this interview, he shares his admissions experience and speaks about learning at HSE University, while offering some tips for those ready to succeed in their studies.

‘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.

Russian Speaking Club: Practicing the Language and Meeting New Friends

For HSE Preparatory Year students, the Russian Speaking Club is a way to improve their language proficiency in a relaxed atmosphere. At this year’s first such event, they discussed online communications and social media. Michael Dzodzoe from Ghana and Leen Sabbagh from Syria shared their impressions with the HSE News Service.