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Waiz Siddiqui is a second-year student of the Master's programme 'Data Analytics for Business and Economics.' Having completed a bachelor's degree in business management in Pakistan, he decided to continue his studies abroad. He opted for HSE University–St Petersburg, and the Open Doors international scholarship programme helped him to carry out his plans. Read on to find out more about his adaptation to HSE University–St Petersburg and studying the Russian language.

Every year, HSE University–St Petersburg welcomes international students from around the world not only for full-time programmes of all levels but also for academic mobility. This year, Michel Young Hernandez, a student from the Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology, is among them. In this interview, Michel shares his experience of studying at HSE University–St Petersburg as an exchange student, why he decided to participate in the international mobility programme, and what his life in a new cultural landscape has been like.

HSE University–St Petersburg is proud of its graduates. Our alumni pursue careers in a wide variety of fields—from academia and public policy to creative industries and international development. Each story is unique, filled with ambition, perseverance, and meaningful change. Today, we are excited to share the story of Giovanny Simon Machado—a graduate of the Master’s programme 'Applied and Interdisciplinary History "Usable Pasts"'. Now, he is a professor at the Department of Social Work at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. This May, Prof. Machado came back to Russia as a participant of the HSE University–St Petersburg International Partners’ Week 2025. Read on to learn more about his experience of studying and living in Russia and how it has changed his life.

The International Ambassadors project at HSE University-St Petersburg is a dynamic initiative, which empowers international students to represent the university in their home countries around the world. Established to build cultural bridges and strengthen the university’s global presence, the programme recruits highly motivated students who are passionate about international education and willing to share their HSE experience through events, outreach campaigns, and personal engagement. Ambassadors serve as cultural connectors offering firsthand insights into student life, academic opportunities, and the unique environment which define HSE University. The project also aims to foster long-term international cooperation and attract more diverse and talented applicants to one of Russia’s leading research universities.

Dao Khanh Linh, exchange student on the track 'Economics', came from Vietnam for one semester. During her studies at HSE University-St Petersburg, she found new friends, fell in love with the Russian language and made a list of top places in St Petersburg. Read on to find out about her plans for the future, work at the International Partners' Week and other interesting moments.

The building of HSE University-St Petersburg on Kantemirovskaya Street hosted a festival devoted to the culture of Arab countries. The event featured presentations of traditions, national dances, and dishes by students from Iraq, Algeria, Chad, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

Luis Santaella, from Mexico, graduated from the Bachelor’s programme ‘Political Science and World Politics’ in 2022. He participated in an international mobility programme in Rome during his studies and is currently working as a political consultant. In this interview, Luis shares his impressions of HSE University–St Petersburg and gives advice to future students from Latin America.

Tobias Vilhena de Moraes is a historian working at Museu Lasar Segall inSão Paulo, Brazil, and a faculty member of the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences at the University of Campinas. He is now working on a master’s degree at HSE University-St Petersburg.