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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.

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 large-scale international forum gathered representatives from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America in St Petersburg. Apart from the intense business programme with expert discussions, signing of agreements, and creating international collaborations, guests of HSE University–St Petersburg got to know the cultural heritage of the Northern capital—seeing the city from the Neva and visiting the Hermitage, Tsarskoye Selo, and other significant sights.

The honoured guest of the HSE St Petersburg International Week was Yogesh Singh, rector of the University of Delhi. He held a discussion with employees of two international mirror laboratories and also delivered an open lecture for students and professors of HSE University 'India-Russia: Friendship of Ganga and Volga'.

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.

HSE University was the only participant from Russia to hold its own expert sessions at the annual conference and exhibition of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE). The delegation was headed by Anna Tyshetskaya, Director of HSE University–St Petersburg.

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.

Students of HSE University–St Petersburg can take part in exchange studies abroad not only during their bachelor's degree. Daria Orekhova, a second-year student of the Master's programme 'Media Production and Media Analysis', spent the autumn semester at one of the top universities in China. Read on to find out how the academic mobility experience at Beijing Normal University went, what inspired Daria to develop her own online course, and how travelling changes one's way of seeing the world.