‘If You Want to Study Seriously and Experience a Truly International Academic Environment, HSE Is the Right Place’
Alessandro Locatelli, from Florence, Italy, is a third-year student of the Bachelor's in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication at the HSE School of Foreign Languages. In his interview with the HSE News Service, he reflects on why it’s important to integrate a cultural dimension into language learning, what makes HSE lecturers special, and how curiosity motivated his decision to study in Russia.
'Go Beyond': HSE University–St Petersburg Student on Her Exchange Studies in Malaysia and New Experiences
Elizaveta Fomina, second-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics,' spent the autumn semester at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. Read on to find out why you should choose a mobility programme in Asia and how studying abroad helps to develop independence and build global plans.
.jpg "‘If You Are Open to Being Challenged, Then HSE Is the Best Choice for You’")
‘If You Are Open to Being Challenged, Then HSE Is the Best Choice for You’
Felicia Akpelike, from Ghana, is a first-year student of the Master's in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication at the HSE School of Foreign Languages. In her interview with the HSE News Service, she talks about why she enjoys Russian language and culture, the benefits of studying in an international environment, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone.
‘Studying at HSE Has Been the Most Important and Enriching Experience of My Life’
Lucas Akolzin, from Brazil, is a third-year student of the International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies.' In his interview with the HSE News Service, he spoke about why he decided to pursue education in international relations, what political leaders inspire him, and how his Russian background encouraged him to study in Moscow.
‘Architecture, Nature, Cuisine—Everything in China Is Astonishing’
This year, Elizaveta Zorina is completing her Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence Hardware and Software at the HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (HSE MIEM). In autumn 2025, she spent six months in China as part of an academic mobility programme. In this interview, she shares her experience of studying at the School of Information Science and Engineering at Shandong University.
Korean Poetry Comes Alive at HSE University Contest
On June 10, 2026, the HSE University–Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme hosted a Korean Poetry Recitation Contest. Despite the demanding schedule of preparation for the summer examination session, participants went beyond simply memorising poems in Korean, creating original performances complete with presentations and musical accompaniment. The contest brought together students from HSE University and several other higher education institutions.
.jpg "‘HSE University Provides Students with a Springboard into a World of Opportunities’")
‘HSE University Provides Students with a Springboard into a World of Opportunities’
In 2024, Ikenna Mbata, from Owerri, Nigeria, enrolled on the Master’s in Science, Technology and Innovation Management and Policy at ISSEK in Moscow. After two years of studies, on June 1, 2026 he successfully defended his master’s thesis ‘The Spatial Distribution of Pharma Start-ups in Africa: An Analysis of Innovation Clusters and Policy Drivers.’ In his interview with the HSE News Service, Ikenna speaks about his research topic, the role of HSE University in shaping his skills, the importance of volunteering, and the benefits of studying in an international environment.
.jpg "‘The Workload is Challenging, but It Builds Discipline and Problem-Solving Skills’")
‘The Workload is Challenging, but It Builds Discipline and Problem-Solving Skills’
Sachin Malhotra, from Agra, India, is a second-year student of the Master’s in Data Science at HSE University in Moscow. Having pivoted to data science from a career in PR, he plans to put his new knowledge into practice in the realm of e-commerce. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Sachin talks about what makes HSE appealing, the modern skills essential for any economist, and the impact of ‘atomic habits.’
‘When Students Are Entrusted with Such Important Tasks, It Is Both Thrilling and Daunting’
Students of the International Relations programme at the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs—Daniil Moskalev (third year) and Elizaveta Evseeva (fourth year)—completed a six-month internship with the African Energy Chamber in South Africa as part of the Africa track. They shared their experiences with the HSE News Service, speaking about their adventures abroad, the challenges they encountered, and the opportunities that opened up before them.
‘I Have Always Been Passionate about Gender Equality, Especially in Terms of Education’
Adeola Oluwatobi Oyewole, from Nigeria, obtained her bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, the country's first and oldest university. She went on to graduate from the HSE’s Master’s programme in Population and Development and is now pursuing her PhD at the Doctoral School of Sociology. In her interview with the HSE News Service, Adeola spoke on her career plans after completing her PhD and explains why it’s important to empower young girls to study in male-dominated STEM fields.