From Uzbekistan to Russia: Exchange Student on His Transformative Experience
Bekzod Karimov, a student from Tashkent State University of Law, Uzbekistan, joined an exchange programme at HSE University in St Petersburg in 2024. In this interview, Bekzod shares his exciting experiences: from studying law to exploring the beautiful city. Read on to find out how the programme helped him grow, inspired his career goals, and changed his view of the world.
— What made you choose HSE University–St Petersburg for your exchange programme?
— I chose HSE University in St Petersburg because it has a strong academic reputation, especially in law, which is my major. The university is known for its great programmes, so it was a perfect fit for me. I was also very interested in exploring Russian legal education to learn how it’s different from Uzbekistan and to understand law better. Apart from studies, I wanted to experience life in a culturally rich city like St Petersburg. It is famous for the beautiful architecture, history, and exciting culture, which strengthened my desire to live there. The mix of great academics and a wonderful city made HSE University–St Petersburg the best choice for my exchange programme.
— Which courses did you take at HSE University, and what did you like the most about them?
— I chose such courses as Criminal Law of the Russian Federation, Criminal Procedure, and Cybercrime, which were all really interesting. These subjects were practical and relevant because they taught me things I can use in my future work. The professors were great at connecting theory with real-life legal cases, which made the classes exciting. For example, in the Cybercrime course, we learned about things like online fraud and laws for the internet, which are extremely important today. The Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure courses showed me how Russia’s legal system works by using examples from court cases. This made the subjects fun and helped me understand how law works in the real world, which I loved.
— How was your experience of living in St Petersburg? What was different from your home country?
— Life in St Petersburg is something I’ll never forget, as it was like living in a dream city full of beauty and wonder. The city is packed with amazing architecture, cool museums, and tons of history that you can feel everywhere you look. Walking around famous places like the Hermitage Museum, with its grand halls and incredible art, or strolling along the picturesque canals felt like stepping into a history book. Every corner of St Petersburg, from the golden spires of the Peter and Paul Fortress to the charming bridges, turned every day into an adventure. Coming from Uzbekistan, one of the biggest differences was the climate. St Petersburg was much colder, especially during the harsh winter months, which were really tough to get used to compared to warm and sunny Uzbekistan. I had to bundle up in heavy coats and scarves, something I wasn’t used to back home! Another big difference was the public transport system, which was way more developed and convenient than what I knew in Uzbekistan. The metro with its stations, along with the buses and trams, was so easy to use, reliable, and fast, making it simple to get around the city and explore all its wonders. These differences were new and sometimes challenging for me, but they made my time in St Petersburg even more special and exciting. Adjusting to the cold and learning to navigate the city’s efficient transport system added to the thrill of living in such a vibrant, historic place, and I loved every moment of it.
— What was the most memorable moment during your stay at HSE University?
— The highlight of my stay was my participation in an international student conference where I had the incredible opportunity to present a small research project I worked on. This was such an exciting and unforgettable experience for me! I stood up in front of a diverse group of students, professors, and researchers from all over the world to share my ideas, which felt both scary and incredibly fun at the same time. Preparing for the presentation was a big challenge. I spent hours researching, organising my thoughts, and practicing to make sure I could explain my project clearly. Giving the presentation itself helped me improve my public speaking skills a lot, as I learned how to express my thoughts in a clear and confident way, even under pressure. The feedback I received from the audience, including thoughtful questions and encouraging comments from professors, gave me a huge boost in academic confidence and made me feel proud of my work.
This moment was so special because it allowed me to connect with people from different countries, share ideas, and learn from their perspectives, which was both inspiring and humbling. It was a true highlight of my time at HSE University, as it showed me how exciting it is to contribute to global academic discussions and made me feel like I was part of something bigger.
— How did the exchange programme help you grow personally or academically?
— On a personal level, the exchange programme made me more independent and responsible because I had to manage life in a new country on my own. Things like figuring out daily tasks and adjusting to a new culture taught me how to handle challenges better. Academically, I gained new knowledge in law from my courses, which helped me understand legal systems in a deeper way. This also improved my analytical thinking, as I learned how to break down tough legal problems clearly. Plus, the programme improved my communication skills in both English and Russian. Talking with professors, classmates, and people in St Petersburg made me better at expressing myself in both languages. This experience changed me into a stronger, more confident person.
— Now that you’re back in Uzbekistan, how has life changed for you after the exchange?
— I feel way more confident and motivated than before. The exchange programme helped me understand how valuable international education is because it showed me new ways of thinking and learning. This experience inspired me to aim higher in my academic and career goals, pushing me to dream bigger and work harder for what I want. For example, I’m now more focused on doing well in my studies and planning for my future career. I also try to inspire other students in Uzbekistan to apply for similar opportunities by sharing my story with them. I tell them how amazing it was to live abroad and learn new things, hoping they’ll take the chance to have their own adventure. The programme really changed how I see myself and my future.
— What are your future career plans, and did the exchange programme influence them?
— My future career plans are to become a judge or a prosecutor in Uzbekistan because I want to help make the legal system fair. The exchange programme at HSE University–St Petersburg influenced these plans a lot by giving me a broader understanding of legal systems. Learning about Russian law showed me new ways to think about justice, which strengthened my desire to serve justice in my own country. The programme also showed me the importance of legal reforms and international cooperation. By seeing how different countries handle laws, I realised how working together across borders can make legal systems better. This experience made me even more excited to work as a judge or prosecutor and to help improve laws in Uzbekistan for the better.
— Would you recommend this exchange programme to other students in Uzbekistan? Why?
— I would definitely recommend the HSE exchange programme to other students in Uzbekistan! It’s an amazing opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. You get to meet people from different backgrounds, which is so exciting because you learn about their cultures and ideas. This helps you see the world in a new way. The programme also lets you improve your skills, like studying, speaking, and thinking critically. Plus, you learn how other legal systems work, which is super helpful if you’re studying law like me. This experience can shape your future by giving you new goals and confidence to chase them. I think every student should try it because it’s a life-changing adventure that will make you a better person and student.
Text by Akabueze Daniel Onyekachukwu, 3rd-year student of the Bachelor’s programme ‘Political Science and World Politics,’ for HSE Illuminated