Sharing the experience

"Russia is full of hardworking people with great dreams, especially at our age. They are extremely cultured, but they also know how to play hard. So, I would say that it is a rather balanced society, where people do work hard, but also people of all age groups have a way to let some steam off. Just keep an open mind and communicate with people - that is the best way to integrate into this society, just as any other".

Mustafa Serdar Karakaya, Koc University (Turkey), Spring semester 2020

"I am normally quite critical of culturist concepts such as the "enigmatic Russian soul" yet I have to acknowledge that there is "something" that Russians have/are and with which I connected. I would rather refer to different behaviors or understandings, such as that of friendship. Russian draws a clear difference between friends ("druzya") and acquaintances ("znakomie"), and that is reflected in the interaction with the rest: Russians may be a bit cold in the beginning, but once you become friends, their door will be always open for you!"

Aris Dougas Chavarria, University Pompeu Fabra (Spain), Spring semester 2020

"Russia is a country with a pragmatic mindset. Here people think that truth depends much on situation, context and time. Russians love to discuss about philosophical matters and prefer deep conversations over small talk. Regardless of the rough faced, deep inside, Russians have a sensitive nature. I would describe it as the experience of pleasure out of a self-induced state of sadness while contemplating about the existential matters which is accompanied by a passivity in initiative. Which has its own charm. Culture wise I haven’t encountered significant differences either. I have grown up on Russian literature, movies and even gastronomy alongside with the Romanian and Moldovan ones. I have also studied Russian language since an early age, so it eventually became my second language".

Madalina Rusu, Avans University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands), Spring semester 2020

"Spending a semester in Russia, particularly in Saint Petersburg, was a truly enriching experience. My daily lifestyle as a resident in this vibrant city was filled with exploration, learning, and cultural immersion. Each day brought new discoveries as I navigated the city's stunning architecture, historical landmarks, and lively neighborhoods. From morning walks along the Neva River to visiting iconic museums like the Hermitage and the Russian Museum, every moment was a chance to delve deeper into Russia's rich cultural tapestry. Saint Petersburg's culinary scene offered delightful surprises, from trying traditional Russian dishes like borscht and blini to exploring cozy cafes and bustling markets. The city's cafes and parks provided perfect spots for studying or meeting friends, while its vibrant nightlife offered a chance to unwind and socialize after busy days. Living in Saint Petersburg also meant embracing its seasonal changes, from the magical winter snowfalls to the blossoming of spring along the canals. The city's blend of history, art, and modernity provided endless opportunities for personal growth and exploration, making my semester in Russia an unforgettable chapter in my academic and personal journey."

Do Le Tu Linh, Foreign Trade University (Vietnam), Spring semester 2024

"I think future exchange students should learn basic Russian before coming to SPb - since people here rarely speak English. My second advice would be joining activities HSE offers (i still regret that i didn't go to some events). I would also send each of my friends to the snow skating place. In general, living here is so peaceful, like living with your grandparent. Waking up, eating (I gained a lot of weight while staying here), studying/ working or just going to some parks to enjoy life, going home, eating again, sleeping (the city seems to go to sleep at 10pm)."

Tran Thu Giang, Foreign Trade University (Vietnam), Autumn semester 2023

"About the Russian lifestyle, I know little - I rather know about the "Piterskiy" lifestyle; that is one of charming spring walks along the canals to eventually walk into a restaurant and try something delicious, one of visiting museums, theatres, and operas, but also clubs in Konyushennaya Ploshchad' in darkless nights, one of taking trains on Saturday to visit Gatchina, Vyborg, Pushkin, and others... But also one of avoiding puddles in rainy days in Obukhovo. In order to understand all these complexities, I would indeed suggest having notions of Russian culture, history and politics, knowing the more Russian, the better, and having read some basic pieces of literature... And if possible knowing by heart "Noch', ulitsa, fonar', apteka" by Aleksandar Blok and a handful of songs by Kino! During my mobility programme in Saint Petersburg I felt surrounded by a culture that differed from that of my home country: firstly serious yet heartwarming people once open to being friends with you, unknown yet delicious food - be it Russian, Georgian, or Uzbek-, and impressing yet welcoming architecture. I particularly miss the degree of informality in the streets: people roasting "shashliki" on hot days or "babushki" selling pickled vegetables in Sennaya Ploshchad'. There is little of that in my beloved Barcelona!"

Aris Dougas Chavarria, University Pompeu Fabra (Spain), Spring semester 2020

"What I liked most about HSE University - Saint Petersburg were the enriching activities organized by the international office. These activities provided incredible opportunities to connect with fellow international students and immerse myself in Russian culture. One of the highlights was the trip to Shukalovka Village for Maslenitsa, where I experienced traditional Russian festivities. The walking tours around the city allowed me to explore Saint Petersburg's historic landmarks, while the culinary workshops taught me how to make blin cakes, salads, and borscht soup, deepening my appreciation for Russian cuisine. The boat trip was another memorable event, offering a unique perspective of the city's beautiful waterways. Additionally, the thoughtful gifts for exchange students made us feel welcomed and valued. These activities not only helped me form lasting friendships with talented and diverse students from around the world but also enriched my understanding of Russian culture and traditions. The overall environment at HSE University - Saint Petersburg was incredibly supportive and stimulating. Being surrounded by driven and talented individuals from various backgrounds was an inspiring experience. It fostered a sense of community and provided numerous opportunities for personal and academic growth. My time at HSE University was truly one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences I have ever had."

Do Le Tu Linh, Foreign Trade University (Vietnam), Spring semester 2024

"It was a beautiful misunderstanding to say the least. In China, many classic buildings from the Soviet period have many fans. For example, "Motherland is calling". So I chose this exchange school in Russia with the idea of seeing more Soviet architecture. But I didn't realize that St. Petersburg is a completely different city. It has a very European style of the Renaissance, but the people here give you a sense of the Russian nation. About HSE, I heard from my friends that HSE has an excellent reputation in European countries.

Teaching at HSE is very interesting. The teachers are also very strict. I think the problems I had were more my own. For traditional Chinese students, it takes a process to adapt to the teaching rules of HSE. For example, classroom participation. In Chinese universities, we seldom discuss problems and answer questions. But this is not good. We need to learn from Russia to develop critical thinking skills.

I have taken classes at HSE in different majors and at different grade levels. But mostly focused primarily on the social sciences. In the class I gained a lot of perspectives on judging some behaviors from outside the perspective of Chinese thought, of course, but also some perspectives on China. It was very interesting. I was very happy to listen. It made me realize that the rules of the world are not one-dimensional. Likewise, I realized that some of my Russian classmates or teachers may have misunderstood some things. Of course, this is a problem of the Western media. Simply put, open mind. Very helpful!"

Jinhai Wang, Beijing Technology and Business University (China), Academic year 2023-2024

"I was fascinating about Russia and I chose HSE in particularly for its reputation in Europe. For me, It's 10 out of 10. I would like to have the possibility to return to HSE one day, maybe as professor 😄. Personally, the greatest challenge I faced was to leave at the end"

Gregorio Martinelli, Luiss Business School (Italy), Autumn semester 2022

"I select HSE because it is the most popular university in Forbs and I really like it, and I select St.Petersburg because it is the most beautiful city in Russia in my opinion".

Eric Ghambaryan, Russian-Armenian University (Armenia), Spring semester 2020

"The spirit of a young university striving to offer the best experience. The very caring and attentive staff. The quality teaching".

Aris Dougas Chavarria, University Pompeu Fabra (Spain), Spring semester 2020

"The laid back relationship between the lecturers and the students, the friendly environment, the international focus and the diversity of courses I could choose from".

Madalina Rusu, Avans University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands), Spring semester 2020

"I really liked the discussion culture in some of the seminars which brought me further and helped to develop better study questions for my own thesis. Special thanks to the international office for the support in any possible situation and for any questions".

Sandra Sager, University of Bern (Switzerland), Spring semester 2020

"It was a wonderful and mind-opening experience, I already loved the city and it was wonderful to live it as a student. HSE is a high-level university, what I learnt there helped me and will surely help me in the future. Living experience in the Obukhovo dormitory was good, accommodation was incredibly cheap and everything worked well, from laundry to heating to Internet".

Tommaso Bontempi, University of Trento (Italy), Autumn semester 2019-2020