'Cultural Bridges': HSE University-St Petersburg International Students Talk about Academic Mobility in Latin America
The HSE building on Kantemirovskaya Street hosted the 'Cultural Cafe' devoted to Latin America. Students from Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador shared the traditions, landmarks, and lifestyle of their countries.
'Cultural Cafe' is a series of events about international mobility. This time, participants 'visited' Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil and Peru. Students from Latin America shared cultural traditions, cuisine and formats of higher education in their countries, and HSE students told about their academic mobility experience.
Fatima Sicaru Toledo Velasco came from Mexico in January 2026. For a semester, she will study business management, statistics and economics at HSE University-St Petersburg.
'Last year, my friend came for a mobility programme to St Petersburg. It was he who recommended that I go to HSE University-St Petersburg: he spoke highly about the people and the university itself. Lots of things are still unusual for me: different weather, language and culture. I wanted to use the event to change the ideas about Mexico and become a living bridge between our cultures', underscored the student.
Valentina Salome Alvear Silva, 2nd-year student of the bachelor's programme 'International Programme in Business and Economics', moved from Ecuador. Her mother also studied in Russia, so it was easier for the international student to adjust to the new country.
'It's important for me to discover new cultures. At HSE University-St Petersburg, there are a lot of international students, events and activities where you can meet people from all over the world. 'Cultural Cafe' is another opportunity to talk about my homeland, share my experience and inspire someone to visit Ecuador', highlights Valentina Salome Alvear Silva.
Polina Skuba, 4th-year student of the bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics', came back after a semester at the Universidad de Monterrey in Mexico. She recommended that all future participants of the mobility programme take the application seriously and carefully shape the curriculum.
'I studied economics and business, political science, international agreements and Spanish. It was a memorable trip—I visited three cities, attended a conference and unexpectedly met my distant relatives in Mexico City. Academic mobility is an amazing chance to root out stereotypes about Latin America. I discovered a whole new world with a unique mindset and brilliant people', shared the student.
Alisa Aznabaeva, 2nd-year student of the bachelor's programme 'Asian and African Studies', said that 'Cultural Cafe' helped her to find like-minded people and build professional connections to make a well-considered decision about the destination for your mobility programme. Now, she studies Spanish and takes an interest in Latin American culture.
Groupmates, 2nd-year students of the bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics', Kseniya Nagibina and Anastasiia Valueva highlighted how important the intercultural exchange was—it helped to learn interesting details, which only the locals know.
Sofia Kotereva
Manager at the International Student Mobility Office
'One of the advantages of academic mobility to Latin America is convenient university campuses. Students can find everything they need on the premises: dormitories, laboratories and libraries. Studies, travelling and events in such company develop the skills of intercultural communication and create fond memories. Besides, it is a great chance to dive into the international environment, which brings together people from around the world. This experience is a lucky ticket, which gives you a competitive advantage when seeking employment, teaches you independent life and broadens your horizons', summed up Sofia Kotereva, manager at the International Student Mobility Office.
Since 2023, HSE University-St Petersburg has been holding regular academic missions to Latin America. The trips result in joint research and educational projects, new mobility programmes and international exchange.
