From the Other Side of the Fest: A Volunteer's View on Welcoming HSE's New Communicators
For most, August 30th at the HSE Centre for Cultures was a day of firsts: the first student ID, the first lecture as part of the university family. For me, and two dozen other volunteers from the School of Communications, it was a day of creating those "firsts" for others. Our task was not to listen, but to facilitate, to engage, and to transform nervous energy into the first sparks of friendship and belonging through the interactive zones we curated.
Long before the first freshman hesitantly walked through the doors, we were in a whirlwind of preparation. The "theoretical" part of the Fest—the solemn speeches—was crucial. But we believed the practical, interactive layer was where the real magic of acquaintance would happen. Our team's goal was to soften the formal edges and spark genuine conversations. We set up several thematic stations, each designed as a gentle, engaging introduction to the new community.
Among them, one of the most touching was the “Greetings from HSE” postcard station. Here, newcomers could pick a postcard and write a few words to their families back home or friends in other cities. "It's a small thing, but it made everything suddenly real," shared first-year student Alina, carefully addressing her card to her parents in Samara. "You're sharing this big moment, making them a part of it from a thousand kilometers away." My role was to provide pens, stamps, and a bit of encouragement, watching as a simple action bridged the gap between their past life and this new, exciting chapter at HSE.
The central intellectual pillar of the day was the introductory lecture from the Dean of the School of Communications. He did not sugarcoat the path ahead. Instead, he offered a remarkably honest look at the pluses and minuses of the communications industry—discussing the thrill of creating impactful campaigns alongside the realities of tight deadlines and a fast-paced digital landscape. He talked about the power of a well-crafted message and the ethical responsibility that comes with it. This balanced perspective was invaluable; it was a conversation with a seasoned professional, not a promotional brochure.
His speech culminated in a quote that perfectly captured the day's spirit: "Therefore, I congratulate you once again, because ahead of you lies a completely fantastic time called student life. I want you to live it in such a way that you will have something to remember, in every sense of the word. But I must tell you, you truly have time ahead of you." These words hung in the air—a permission slip to explore, to make mistakes, and to fully immerse in the experience, without the paralyzing pressure to have everything figured out on day one.
From my volunteer station, I had a unique vantage point. I saw the transformation in body language—from the focused pensiveness of writing a postcard to the attentive nods during the dean's talk. We, the volunteers, were the connective tissue, the friendly faces ready to answer questions both practical ("Where do I mail this?") and profound ("What did he mean by the 'ethical responsibility' part?"). We shared our own lived experience, the kind you won't find on any official website.
The moment of handing out student IDs was solemn. But from our perspective, the real initiation had already happened. It happened at the postcard table, where thoughts turned to home, and in the lecture hall, where minds were engaged with the future profession. By the time they received their cards, many were already processing the day's emotions and insights. We didn't just witness the start of their student life; we helped frame its first memories.
Why was this mix of the personal and the professional so vital? Because it addressed the whole person—the emotional being missing their family and the aspiring professional eager for the truth. Instead of a generic pep talk, they received authentic connection and honest mentorship. The Fest successfully avoided being a redundant information session. It became a space for reflection and early bonding. As a volunteer, I didn't just give my time; I received a powerful reminder of the community we're building. Seeing that mix of introspection and inspiration in the newcomers' eyes is perhaps the most rewarding part of all.
Shared by
Valeriia Shiryaeva
