‘Collective Action Can Lead to Real Progress for Rural Women Everywhere’
Gabriella Leelee Enchill is a third-year student at the HSE University Doctoral School of Sociology. She has a bachelor’s in Integrated Community Development from the University for Development Studies in her native Ghana and a master’s in Population and Development from HSE University. Her current research focuses on gender inequality in rural Ghanaian communities. Gabriella spoke to the HSE News Service about what her studies have uncovered about inequality in the region, how women can gain agency by banding together, and why studying these communities helps empower women around the world.
‘Students Face Similar Challenges While Working on Their Theses’
The HSE News Service spoke to Prof. Maxim Nikitin, Deputy Director of HSE ICEFand Academic Director of the Master’s in Financial Economics, about the college’s international student body and burgeoning partnerships with foreign universities. We also spoke to Minghao Yan, a graduate from China who was awarded the highest marks for the defence of his master’s thesis on gambling behaviour.
Exchange Student From Armenia on His Studies at HSE University–St Petersburg
Daniel Minasian came from Armenia as an exchange student to spend a semester at HSE University–St Petersburg. Majoring in Korean Studies, Daniel chose courses offered by the Institute of Asian and African Studies. Read on to discover how his exchange studies went and what this experience brought him.
‘Life Is for the Brave’: HSE University–St Petersburg Student from Mexico Wins StudRussia Competition
Gisel Sarahi Vergara Herrera, second-year student of the Master’s programme ‘Arts and Culture Management,’ became a winner of the StudRussia all-Russian competition for international students. Her project was awarded the first prize in the ‘Creative Spirit’ category. Read on to find out about Gisel’s work and experience of participating in such a large-scale contest for international students.
‘Growth Often Happens Quietly, When No One is Watching’
The end of the year is a natural time for reflection on the past and planning for the future. With the winter holidays almost here, the HSE News Service has been asking international students to share their experiences and take stock of the year gone by. In this instalment, master’s students Raihanulla Moghmand and Isaac Sarfo talk about traditional New Year celebrations in their home countries, explain what they’ve learned from life in Russia so far, and share some warm wishes for their fellow students.
‘The Greatest Reflections Often Come in Conversations with Classmates over Tea’
Ahead of the holiday season, the HSE News Service talked to some international students about their reflections on the past year, expectations of the year to come, and plans for the winter break. Below, Hasnain and Syed, both from Pakistan, talk about their experiences as international students in Moscow, share their tips for successful personal growth, and send wishes to their fellow classmates.
‘HSE Is an Exceptional Chance in My Life’
Mohammed Yassir Ali Osman, from Sudan, graduated from HSE’s Master’s Programme in Population and Development. He is now a doctoral student at the HSE Doctoral School of Sociology and conducts research at the Laboratory of Social and Demographic Policies at the Vishnevsky Institute of Demography. Recently he presented his dissertation on the migration intention of African students in Russia. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Mohammed Yassir Ali Osman shares the highlights of his research, his future plans after completing his PhD, and his advice for prospective researchers.
‘Keep Working, Keep Publishing—Consistency Matters’
Ziyuan Zhu, from Beijing, China, is an international PhD student at the Institute for Public Administration and Governance at HSE University in Moscow. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Ziyuan talks about how studies can influence one’s outlook on life, comparing public service models in different countries, and why being a Chinese student in Russia is advantageous in research.
Maths Club, Russian Phonetics, and the Most Delicious Milk: Prep Year Kicks Off
In October 2025, more than 200 international students began their studies on HSE University’s International Preparatory Year. After a month of rigorous in-class learning, they gathered for a more informal event—the Russian Speaking Club—where they met classmates from other groups. The HSE University News Service spoke with students, teachers, and administrators about the programme’s progress and expansion.
HSE Launches an International Project to Study Russian as a Foreign Language
In mid-October, the HSE School of Foreign Languages held the official opening of the International Educational Online Club for Russian as a Foreign Language and Russian Culture, called GLAGOL’. The project brings together participants from 20 countries—international students and lecturers from 10 HSE faculties, as well as representatives of more than 10 Russian and foreign universities.