Asian and African Studies at HSE University–St Petersburg Open Doors to International Business
Marina Belyaeva, a graduate of the Bachelor's programme 'Asian and African Studies' at HSE University–St Petersburg, shared how Chinese language proficiency and an understanding of Asian business culture helped her to become a development manager at an international IT company, represent the business at the largest gaming exhibitions in Asia, and build a dream career at the junction of languages and technologies.
From an HSE University–St Petersburg Bachelor's Programme to International Business
A month ago, I received a bachelor's diploma with honours from the programme 'Asian and African Studies' at HSE University–St Petersburg. For a year and a half, I have been working at AllCorrect, an international company for computer and mobile games localisation. My position is a business development manager. Initially, the vacancy stated 'Development Manager for Asian Direction with Chinese Language Proficiency' (it was the Chinese language that attracted me to the vacancy).
My duties include communication with clients from Asia, in particular, with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean gaming companies. I analyse the market, carry out research, and find clients who need help with the localisation and culturalisation of games released—meaning that it is not simple translation but something more serious. In addition, last September, I managed to participate in the Korea–Russia: Games Exchange Forum in Moscow, where I had a chance to talk to representatives of Korean gaming companies. This September, I am going to represent my company at the Tokyo Game Show in Japan.
In my daily work, I use the linguistic skills I mastered at HSE University: every day I communicate with clients orally and in writing in English and Chinese. When negotiating, deep knowledge of Chinese business culture comes in handy, and this is what I learnt in my classes.
Choosing the University
As for admission and choice of university, I compared Asian and African Studies programmes at HSE University–St Petersburg and St Petersburg State University. Together with my mum, we decided to check the programme curricula and realised that at HSE University, there were much more academic hours allotted to the Eastern language. It also offered an opportunity to learn a second Eastern language (my second language was Vietnamese, and I hope that I will use it for work too). In my opinion, it was the number of academic hours devoted to language studies that determined my choice.
University Shapes a Professional
HSE University taught me to work within short time frames, not to be afraid of deadlines, and think outside the box. I find information very quickly. I am not afraid of trying something new. I think that I gained these skills mostly thanks to my five years of studies.
For me, the most useful course was, of course, the Chinese language. I use it every day. Also useful were classes on the modern culture of the countries in the studied region. I have always been interested in this topic, but our professors made me completely fall in love with it.
In the bachelor's programme, the professors are truly passionate about their work. They imparted their passion for Eastern cultures and languages from our first classes. Their inspiring example makes it impossible not to care. You start feeling the language on a deeper level and understanding the traditions and values of the studied region.
I was lucky to learn from people who not only shared their knowledge but also genuinely supported me throughout my studies. Like сlose relatives, they cared about my successes and worried before my exams and thesis defence. They are still around and ready to help after graduation.
Everyday Skills
I use Chinese and English every day, and sometimes Japanese and Vietnamese. Knowing the working culture of Asian countries helps me a lot—what, how, and when is better to speak or write.
During the five years of my bachelor's studies, I actively participated in extracurricular life. I would like to highlight the tutors especially: together with seven other students, I helped first-years to adapt to HSE University and organised various events. It turned out to be helpful in my current work: I can find an approach to people, communicate in a team, find compromises, and listen to other people.
The most memorable and useful thing for my career that I gained at HSE University–St Petersburg was a year-long internship at one of the most prestigious universities in China. I spent the whole fourth year of studies at Fudan University in Shanghai on a full scholarship from the Chinese government. During my studies, I managed not only to improve my Chinese language proficiency and learn to cope with various stressful situations, but also work twice as an interpreter at the largest international exhibitions.
In the second and third years, I took part in various projects: for instance, we created a mobile application for the New Stage of the Alexandrinsky Theatre (the project 'Metaprogramme Skills4Future: Intellectual Lab Creative Industries') and shot trailers for books by Leo Tolstoy, communicating personally with his great-granddaughter (a minor course 'Media and Mass Communications'). I'm interested in the arts and culture, so these were useful and relevant projects.
I think that over my student years, I learnt to put up with the fact that something might go wrong or not as planned (and I keep learning it). This is what life is about! You should find solutions in unexpected situations and not give way to panic—it is a vital skill both for work and life.
HSE University in the Labour Market
HSE students are well-rounded people as we complete not only the courses of our educational programmes but also minor courses. That means that in fact, we get an additional qualification. Students can also choose optional courses.
I think that a major advantage of HSE University–St Petersburg students and graduates is the ability to work with information and process it quickly. Otherwise, it is difficult to stay on track and cope with the studies as there are a lot of them (but it's still interesting)!
I am sure that thanks to the quality of the knowledge and soft skills I've mentioned above, we definitely stand out among other candidates.
Advice to Prospective Students
HSE University–St Petersburg offers so many opportunities that in the beginning, you don't know where to look first because of the wide range of courses and trajectories, the number of student clubs and events, and the various exchange programmes and career internships. Here, everyone will find something to their liking and will always get the necessary advice and help from curators/professors/senior students and other university staff.
In the programme 'Asian and African Studies,' we also learn a second language. The choice is so wide that it was hard to make. In the first year, I was trying to choose between Vietnamese and Korean. Once, when I returned to my native city Arkhangelsk for the winter vacation, I went to the House of Books. In the language section, there was only one textbook on Vietnamese—it was by Nina Grigoreva, our professor of Vietnamese and the head of the Department for Chinese, South and Southeast Asian Studies. I realised that the chance to learn from such people was very rare and I can't miss it. Thus, I opted for the Vietnamese language. It seems to me that this funny story tells a good deal about the faculty and studies in the Bachelor's programme 'Asian and African Studies' in general.
You really should take part in the contest for academic mobility and various scholarships, as it is an unforgettable experience.
The three words I associate with our university are 'people, creativity, knowledge.' I think that HSE University immerses you in a community of like-minded people with whom you can move mountains if you want to!
Future Plans
I genuinely like what I am doing. It is a real job for an expert in Asian and African studies that combines languages and regional specifics. Face-to-face communication with people and the opportunity to travel make it the most suitable for my interests.
When I applied for the bachelor's programme at HSE University, even my wildest dreams did not picture what my life would be in five years. Today, thanks to HSE University and my beloved Bachelor's programme in 'Asian and African Studies,' I am surrounded by wonderful friends (my coursemates!) and moving in the same direction with them. I have an interesting job and a clear desire to develop in this field. Thank you, HSE University!
