I Made the Right Choice

Sofia Gubaidulina, a graduate of Bachelor's programme in Political Science and World Politics, was born and grew up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She heard about HSE University - St Petersburg from her friends, and when she was deciding which programmes to apply for, she knew for sure that she wanted to study in the political science programme. Sofia considers HSE University - St Petersburg to be a place 'where everyone can find something for themselves'.

I was going to apply for the HSE Campus in Moscow but then I learned that there is a Political Science programme in St Petersburg. Choosing to come to St Petersburg was a no-brainer for me. Now, four years later, I can say for sure that it was the right choice.

The Political Science programme at HSE in St Petersburg is amazing. If you look at the proposed courses and their contents as well as our lecturers, you see that it is a very interesting combination that will keep you motivated for four years straight. Cool and modern lecturers work here who are also members of various research teams and centres, and they know how political science works - not just in theory, but in real life.

Our programme is taught in English. This means we read political science academic literature in the original; we discuss, write, and even think in English. This is crucially important if a student wants to continue his/her education abroad or participate in an exchange programme during his/her BA studies.

For me, one important thing about HSE Campus - St Petersburg is its size. It is not big compared to the campus in Moscow, which makes it possible for the students to collaborate with lecturers, for example, when discussing projects face-to-face, receive detailed feedback on papers, and build long-term relationships.

HSE at St Petersburg enables you find yourself - not just your academic self, but your social self, your creative self. I managed to take part in several internships, work as a research assistant, participate in competitions, and even become a nominee for the Max Weber's Student Competition in Political Science.

At the moment I am a research intern at the Centre for Multilevel Government Studies, which was created by the lecturers of our educational programme. This internship is a very exciting experience and a great pleasure for me.

After graduation, I plan to continue my studies in an MA programme in Political Science. Thanks to the skills and knowledge that I acquired while at HSE, I have many opportunities to apply for educational programmes both in Russia and abroad.

As a message for prospective students, I would like to say that it is important to make the most of your studies. From the very beginning, make sure you understand how HSE works, what extracurricular options there are, how you can upgrade your scholarship, and what research activities are available. You should try things and find something that fits your interests best!