It is thought that the 'African and Asian Studies' programme stands among the most difficult ones on campus. And it is definitely known that the programme is one of the most exciting ones, especially for international students. Programme students from different countries tell how a foreigner can enter the programme, and what one should be ready for in the course of one's studies.

Much has been said about online education over the last year. What used to be perceived as a challenge a few months ago has become a new comfort zone and does not impress anyone. Indeed, the virus is strong, but we have proved that persistence, professionalism, and flexibility bring good results even when the world is turned upside-down. Having had a successful experience of hosting the St. Petersburg HSE Summer School online, the university introduces HSE St. Petersburg International Research School.

HSE University — Saint Petersburg and the Free University of Berlin have signed an agreement on a new double degree track for the Master's programme 'Russian Literature in Cross-cultural and Intermedial Perspective'. The agreement will enable advanced students have to spend the second year of their studies in Germany and earn diplomas from both partner universities.

Despite the pandemic, some HSE — St. Petersburg's students went abroad to academic mobility in September. So did Veronika Popkova, a third-year student of the programme 'International Business and Management'. She went to Lille, France. She had been studying in a blended learning mode until the end of October and then switched to distance learning. In this article, Veronika shares a story about her study experience and what she has managed to visit while being in France.

Master’s Programme ‘Arts and Culture Management’, HSE University — St. Petersburg and Master’s Programme ‘Arts Management’, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, held the first conference ‘Transformation of Business Models in Art and Culture during a Crisis’ aiming at bringing together practitioners and students to debate the current trends in the arts and culture sectors. Practitioners from St. Petersburg and Milan shared their experience.

Dr Margarita Kuleva along with co-organisers Eda Yigit and Orhan Cem Çetin participated in the (NO) Future Institutions event held between the 15^th and 17^th December in Istanbul.