'Intercultural Dialogue': HSE University-St Petersburg Volunteers at IPW-2026
In 2026, for the third time, HSE University-St Petersburg has served as a platform for global academic dialogue, bringing together representatives of 45 universities from 20 countries. Participants in the International Partners' Week were traditionally assisted by volunteers chosen from among HSE University-St Petersburg students: they met and accompanied guests, helped them get to know the university better, and immersed them in Russian culture.
The volunteers at IPW-2026 were more than 100 students of educational programmes 'Asian and African Studies', 'Philology', 'Sociology and Social Informatics', and students of the School of Economics and Management and the School of Social Sciences. To make the work efficient, the team was divided into two groups: navigating and accompanying. The first coordinated the movements, showed the delegates their way to lectures and roundtables, and helped with transfers. The second helped the guests adapt to the new environment. The students took part in shaping guests' personal schedules, worked as interpreters during official meetings, and gave tours around the famous locations in St Petersburg.
Valeria Konyaeva
Coordinator of Volunteers, Manager at the International Student Mobility Office
'The main selection criterion is the English language proficiency B2+ and some experience of working on international HSE projects. It's the third year that our international colleagues have praised the work of our team. Many guests highlighted that such a large and active volunteer movement is very rare, even for world-leading universities', shared Valeria Konyaeva.
IPW-2026 vividly started with an opening ceremony at the Sergey Kuryokhin Centre for Modern Art. International experts watched the performances by the students from the Ballroom Dancing Club and the cheerleading team 'Northern Raven'. Natalia Ugriumova, head of the Department of Physical Training, highlighted that preparing a performance for the big stage was a creative challenge: 'Instead of a classical dance, in a short time, students prepared a modern performance, which reflected the interconnection of epochs. Despite the difficulties, a choreographer helped the students to show all their dance skills and loosen up. When the students saw the stage, the dressing room and musicians, they instantly felt the energy of this large-scale event. For the students, being a part of such an international event at their university is a great honour and invaluable experience'.
Elizaveta Sandalova, head of the Ballroom Dancing Club, 3rd-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Public Policy and Analytics', coordinated the rehearsals. 'We performed for the experts from dozens of countries, and each of us understood: at this moment, we are the face of HSE University-St Petersburg. The most vivid emotions are the mix of awe and total composure. After the performance, there was just one thought: we've done it!', shared Elizaveta.
During the International Partners' Week, the students did not just practice their interpretation skills but also made professional connections. Many volunteers called this experience the 'school of global thinking'. Evgeniia Rusina, 3rd-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Sociology and Social Informatics', supervised the navigating group and personally accompanied Luo Zhanhui, Chinese Consulate General in St Petersburg, Ma Xiaodi, Consulate for Education, and other Chinese guests. 'I already worked at IPW last year and was aware of the logistics, the atmosphere and requirements for volunteers. This time, I got a very important experience of communicating with top diplomats, and put into practice my knowledge of the Chinese language and culture. Despite the busy schedule, work tasks and weariness, I felt like a part of a huge event. I will keep this atmosphere of trust in my heart', said the student.
Elizaveta Lobanova, 2nd-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Asian and African Studies', took part in IPW for the second time as well: this year, she practised the Spanish language by accompanying Maria Pia Chirinos Montalbetti, vice-rector of the University of Piura (Peru). 'We went to the Hermitage Museum, and I was happy to see her genuine excitement about the historical city centre. Participating in IPW teaches you to interact with people of different cultures and understand the peculiarities of others' mentality. It is especially awesome when guests from the last year return and recognise you. Now, I'm learning Chinese, and I hope that at the next IPW, I will meet the delegations from China', stated Elizaveta.
Her groupmate, Sofia Sukharevskaya, worked at IPW as a volunteer for the first time. She accompanied the delegation from Khalifa University (the UAE) and also helped the guests from Vietnam, India and Brazil. 'I speak English, Korean, Japanese and German, so I didn't feel any communication barrier. The guests were sociable and genuinely surprised by how many facts about the history, architecture and art students of HSE University-St Petersburg know. It was a great practice for me as an interpreter; I enhanced my soft skills and exchanged contacts with experts. I am sure that it will come in handy for my future internships', added Sofia.
International partners of HSE University-St Petersburg personally thanked the students for their work. Bambang Pramujati, rector of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS, Indonesia), emphasised: 'I felt very comfortable, almost like at home. All the students are really friendly, and I'm grateful to them for their support. I am sure that our partnership with HSE University-St Petersburg will continue, and together, we will create amazing projects for our students'.
'The team of HSE University-St Petersburg volunteers symbolised the university's openness. This year, guests and students communicated even more, and it is incredible, as even a single conversation can change your mindset. I hope that IPW-2026 results won't be far behind and will open up new opportunities for mobility programmes and international research projects. I wish our future volunteers to be brave: don't be afraid to talk to the guests, learn languages and enjoy each moment of such events', summed up Valeria Konyaeva.
