'Lessons in Flexibility and Finance': Master's Student from HSE University-St Petersburg Spends a Semester at One of the Best Malaysian Universities
Kseniya Turenko, 2nd-year student of the master's programme 'Finance' at HSE University-St Petersburg, spent a semester at the University of Malaya. Read on to find out how students live in Malaysia, how the programme in Economics is different and what studies in another country give you.
TOP-100 World Universities
— I chose the university for my mobility programme based on several criteria. On the one hand, I wanted to get to know the educational practices which are completely different from those in the CIS countries. On the other hand, I planned to keep the focus on finance and searched for universities with the relevant programmes. This is how I ended up at the University of Malaya—it ranks among the top 100 universities in the world and is one of the leading institutions in Southeast Asia.
The university campus occupies a vast territory—300 hectares, which is equivalent to 400 football fields. So at first, it was a little difficult to navigate without a map.
In September, there was a welcome week for international students. I didn't manage to participate in all the activities, but other students had only positive impressions. Creative and sports events helped us unite and find new friends.
Another System, Familiar Topics
— Educational approaches at HSE University-St Petersburg and the University of Malaya are opposite in some aspects. Our semesters are very intense, but thanks to the consistent preparation, exams come easily. In Malaysia, quite the opposite, students treat exams more seriously than daily studies.
Most courses in the financial track are aimed at theory. I got the chance to put the gained knowledge into practice when preparing for the final group projects.
We had courses in accounting, investments and finance. We also had a big, narrow block of courses in real estate management. I was familiar with many topics thanks to the studies at HSE University-St Petersburg. It gave me confidence and helped me to integrate into the educational process quickly.
I found new professional horizons thanks to applied econometrics. I mastered a new programme—EViews, which is used for data analysis. I am sure that this hard skill will be useful for both academic and practical work.
How to Find Like-Minded People in a Foreign Country
— The main thing in this regard was people and atmosphere. I was lucky to meet some friends from other Russian universities—they quickly became an important part of my life. We played board games in the evening, went hiking, and explored the Malaysian nature. These moments helped me to feel at home in a completely new place.
Sometimes, when doing group tasks, it was hard to find a common approach with students from other countries: we had different ideas about the practical side of the profession. But in the end, we overcame all the disagreements. The international environment taught me flexibility, patience and working in a team.
Life Outside the Campus
— I didn't feel the language barrier anywhere. All the Malaysians whom I met during the mobility programme spoke English and understood me well.
Several months before the trip, the university created a special chat for the participants of the semester mobility programme. There, I met girls from Germany and Belgium. We rented an apartment hotel unit together as close as possible to the campus, each had their own bedroom and a shared living room. The cultural differences did not influence the daily routine; everyone felt very comfortable. There were a gym and a pool in the same building. Sport helped to take my mind off my daily routine.
The Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has a developed transport infrastructure and affordable taxi services. I could quickly get to the campus by bus and to the city centre and other landmarks by metro.
In general, the university location is very convenient; after the classes, you could feel like a tourist. I visited all the most famous landmarks in the city: the Petronas Towers, Independence Square, Chinatown, authentic markets and Hindu temples. During the vacation, I visited Langkawi Island. Its views remind me of the Maldives. Some students went to Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and had a rest in Singapore or Bali.
Mobility as a Growing Point
— The trip to Malaysia changed me a lot. I became more independent; I behave more confidently in extraordinary situations; I learned to strike a balance between theory and practice.
The mobility programme strengthened my competencies in finance and econometrics, introduced me to new tools, and most importantly, helped me to understand which educational environment and topics were the most interesting for me. I enhanced my soft skills: ability to adapt, communicate with representatives of different cultures and cope with difficulties in a team.
I would recommend those who are planning to go on a mobility programme to prepare in advance: explore all the available university resources, talk to students who already have this experience or studies in the country full-time. You'll be lucky if you manage to get to know your future coursemates before the trip. It is much easier to cope with routine problems like searching for accommodation or getting a visa together.
To adapt to a new environment more quickly, you must create an island of stability. In a new country with a different climate, where you have to get used to the infrastructure and meet new people, the stress level inevitably rises. But sport, reading or other habits, which you bring with you from Russia, can help you enjoy the trip as much as possible and avoid focusing on little difficulties.
Those who want to enhance their skills, work on international projects and meet like-minded people from all over the world can go on a mobility programme in the fall semester. Submit your documents by April 24.
