Orientation Day for International Students at HSE University–St Petersburg
HSE University–St Petersburg held a comprehensive adaptation event for international bachelor's and master's first-years and participants of academic mobility programmes. Read on to find out why students from all over the world choose HSE University–St Petersburg for their studies.
This academic year, HSE University–St Petersburg welcomed a record number of international students: 192 people were enrolled in bachelor's programmes and 152 in master's programmes. The new arrivals have come from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Representatives of 42 countries have joined the student body: from Italy to Sierra Leone, from Ecuador to the PRC, from Morocco to Chile.
'We are happy to welcome you to HSE University-St Petersburg, the most international HSE campus. We genuinely love our international students; we have lots of them. The sheer fact that you chose our university proves that you skip shortcuts: studying here will be interesting and hard, but only through challenges can you grow and gain new opportunities. Learn Russian, communicate with people from various countries, and join projects and events at your university. If something goes wrong, come to us: we will help and suggest a solution. We are always there for you!' said Olga Gaidova, Director of the International Student and Alumni Centre, in her welcome speech.
This year, the geographical scope of applicants has expanded: the university enrolled students from Thailand (for the first time in a while) and Zimbabwe.
'As usual, we have students from various countries in Africa—Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Algeria, and Morocco, as well as Asia—Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and India. The number of applicants from China has increased as well, which is something to be happy about. As for Latin America, we have two students from Chile enrolled in the Master's programme 'Data Analytics for Politics and Society,' shared Ksenia Khramtsovskaya, Graduate Programmes Coordinator at the Centre for International Education.
Among the CIS countries, the leaders continue to be Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. As for further abroad, the majority of students came from Pakistan, Ghana, the PRC, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.
The most popular bachelor's programmes among international students are 'Design,' 'Business Administration,' 'Media Communications,' and 'Political Science and World Politics.'
Dwumfour Willington Sarfo from Ghana chose the Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics.' He looks at the future positively and is sure that he will have a good time at HSE University–St Petersburg: 'I have already met some Russians, and they seemed very sympathetic and warm-hearted. Everyone was ready to help me. I was surprised that representatives of HSE University met me right at the airport, explained everything, and helped with the dormitory—it was very nice. I believe there are four wonderful years ahead.'
Darya Luneva from Vitebsk is a first-year student in the track 'Fashion Design.' She decided to study in St Petersburg because she fell in love with the city after a school tour. 'I understand that it will be hard, but I hope I will cope with everything. I was very lucky with the dormitory: it is well-renovated, everyone is very friendly, and the university building is only a 20-minute walk away,' shares the student.
Taisa Tsybulka from Minsk decided to study design in St Petersburg as it is a very creative city. 'I think I will go through many changes—in my lifestyle as well. I've also heard a lot about there being four exam periods in a year, so I am a little nervous that it will be challenging. But this is why I enrolled in HSE University–St Petersburg. The harder the studies are, the more skills I will gain.'
Artyom Statsenko and Viktoriya Chevelyova came from Kazakhstan. Their professors in Almaty recommended the Bachelor's programme 'Business Administration' at HSE University–St Petersburg. 'Our spirits are high! The impressions of the academic building are amazing; we're happy that it's the place where we are going to study. We liked our student peers; we have already got to know lots of people. We think it will be exciting,' say the students.
Karina Baburina, Undergraduate Programmes Coordinator at the Centre for International Education, shared some insights about the admission campaign: 'HSE University–St Petersburg is a common choice for students from CIS countries: there are a lot of applicants from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Moldova. The main admission paths are direct application via the university website, Rossotrudnichestvo quotas, and the INTO HSE Olympiad. For the majority of students from far-abroad countries, it is their first time in Russia, which makes the adaptation programmes especially important.'
The most popular master's programmes were 'International Business in the Asia-Pacific Region,' 'Data Analytics for Business and Economics,' and 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia,' which reflect global trends.
'I think that HSE University is one of the best in Russia. I read a lot about the university on the internet and opted for the Master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia.' I believe I am very lucky to study here. I am looking forward to immersing myself in the Russian language and culture. I want to start interacting with other international students and learn about them. I think I will have a very eventful life at HSE University,' shares Henry Mawuli from Ghana.
Blessing Ochefije from Nigeria decided to continue her education at HSE University–St Petersburg after her bachelor's programme and was enrolled in a state-funded place in the Master's programme 'Finance.' She already speaks Russian and loves St Petersburg for its architecture. 'For my research, HSE is the best university. I like Russia in general. There is a global stereotype that Russian people are very strict, but it is not true. Everyone around me is very warm-hearted and open, and I dream of staying in St Petersburg in the future,' said the student.
Mohammad Emran from Bangladesh chose the Master's programme 'International Business in the Asia-Pacific Region' at HSE University–St Petersburg because he heard a lot of positive feedback about the university from his friends who studied in St Petersburg. 'I came to Russia for the first time a month ago, and I really like it here. I managed to catch the summer—it was wonderful. Now, we'll see what it is like in winter. I speak some Russian, I can ask "How are you? What's your name? What are you doing?" I plan to study the language further. Another important thing for me is that Bangladesh and Russia have good relations,' comments the master's student.
Thanks to the Orientation Day, the international students learnt about the system of academic support, migration regulations, university infrastructure, and extracurricular activities. For English-speaking students, Olga Tarakanova, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages, held a special Russian language workshop: first-years mastered basic phrases and expressions necessary for daily communication.
Irina Komarova, Manager at the International Student and Alumni Centre, presented practical guidelines for the start-up period of life in the city and university. She shared information about some reasonable safety rules, medical insurance, and navigation around St Petersburg and the university. 'We live in a multicultural environment: HSE University–St Petersburg welcomes students from different countries, continents, of different ages and religions. Respect the differences, learn Russian, meet the locals, and take part in events organised especially for you by the Association of International Students and our centre. Participate not only as attendees but also as organisers—share your culture and traditions. If you have difficulties, tell us about them. We are always there for you: from the first day of studies to the thesis defence,' summed up the speaker.
Valeria Konyaeva, Manager at the International Student Mobility Office, said that the most common issues for international students are related to preparing documents, registration at their place of stay, extension of visas, and getting SIM cards. Many ask for help in issuing medical insurance and coping with the Russian bureaucratic system. Thanks to the round-the-clock support and individual approach, HSE University–St Petersburg creates a unique environment where international students feel like full members of a large international community.