Student Organizations at the Higher School of Economics: How HSE Immerses First-Year Students into Student Life
Over the past 25 years, the Higher School of Economics (HSE University) has become synonymous with high-quality education, rigorous research standards, a laboratory for innovative ideas and projects, and a model of a multidisciplinary, modern approach to learning. When I was admitted to HSE, I knew I would encounter a rich curriculum and a vast array of opportunities to develop my creative ideas and ambitious plans. Like many prospective students, I envisioned my years of study primarily with books in hand, but HSE University managed to pleasantly surprise me. As it turned out, this educational institution is home to more than a hundred diverse student organizations, and anyone can find an activity to their liking.
An important adaptation tool for first-year students is the discipline of Life Safety (BZD). One of the assignments for this course is to write an essay describing one's first days at HSE and the student events attended. This is not merely a formality but a thoughtful pedagogical technique that encourages new students to observe their surroundings, analyze their impressions, and deliberately immerse themselves in the university environment. Thanks to this assignment, I did not just passively attend events but consciously observed their organization, atmosphere, and the effect they had on me and my new classmates. It became my first research experience within the university walls. So, I will share my impressions of the events that formed my first and brightest understanding of student life at HSE.
"Guitarnik": Music as a Universal Language of Communication
The first event I attended was "Guitarnik" (Guitar Night), held on Khodynka Field. Since my main passion is music and everything related to it, I immediately decided I absolutely had to go to this event! "Those who play, play; those who don't, sing" — this is the main slogan of Guitarnik, which determined not only my participation but also that of many other students. But what is the famous HSE "Guitarnik"? Everyone, of course, has their own perception, but I would describe it as one of the most atmospheric and unforgettable evenings where you can truly feel part of the music world. In my opinion, there is nothing calmer and more peaceful than sitting in a circle of classmates and new acquaintances, listening to favorite songs performed by friends.
Cozy, comfortable, and serene — these are my first associations with "Guitarnik," which, paradoxically, managed to energize me for the entire following week. Throughout the evening, we enjoyed the magical atmosphere and wonderful songs by bands and artists such as "Nervy," Valentin Strykalo, "Bakushki," and many others. The impeccable organization of the event itself is worth noting: despite the large number of people, there was a sense of unity, no hiccups occurred, and the atmosphere remained friendly and relaxed. The attention to detail was also impressive: the evening was long and eventful, so the organizers provided refreshments for all participants.
But "Guitarnik" is not just a concert. It is a social phenomenon that serves several important functions within the student community. First, it breaks down barriers. A shy freshman with a guitar becomes the center of attention and instantly finds like-minded people. Second, it is a space for cultural exchange: modern hits, rock classics, and original compositions are played here, reflecting the broad musical tastes of the student body. Third, it is therapeutic. After a stressful week of lectures and seminars, such informal, live interaction outdoors becomes the best way to relieve stress and restore mental energy. In summary, everything went perfectly, and I am sure everyone will want to attend such an atmospheric event again. It became an ideal, "soft" start for me, demonstrating that student life is not only about studying but also about a community based on shared emotions and interests.
Presentation of the HSE Debate Club: The Art of Winning with Words
The second key event for me was the presentation of the HSE Debate Club, held on September 14. The speakers talked about the basics of debating, its structure, and components. Debates are often associated exclusively with political activity, but the HSE Debate Club covers a wide variety of spheres of public life, representing a model of interconnections between economics, politics, ethics, and even religion. At the event, we also learned about the main roles of the government and opposition, as well as the key features of parliamentary debates themselves.
The speakers brilliantly explained the advantages of participating in debates and gave us a clear understanding of the skills that can be acquired in the future: public speaking, critical thinking, the ability to quickly analyze information and build convincing arguments. However, debates are not just a student game but a prime example of serious high-level intellectual discussion. They perfectly develop skills for public speaking and critical reflection on reality, allowing one to quickly navigate the information flows we encounter daily. Thus, everyone present learned a lot and significantly broadened their horizons.
It was also very pleasant to listen to and observe the speakers, as their speech was impeccable, and each could convey the necessary and important information to us concisely yet clearly. Despite the seriousness of the topic, the atmosphere remained positive, thanks entirely to the friendliness and openness of the speakers, which is undoubtedly one of the event's greatest strengths. The organization, as with "Guitarnik," was of the highest standard. However, it seemed to me that a single presentation could not fully reveal the entire depth and excitement of parliamentary debates, so together with my classmates, I decided to attend the first introductory session for beginners — and I did not regret it at all!
In my opinion, everything must be learned through practice and comparison. The internal polemicist in me truly came to life and was thrilled only during the trial parliamentary debate. Communication between the speakers and the audience is another huge advantage of the club: any attendee could ask a question and receive a detailed, substantive answer. For me, this conference became one of the most important events I have ever attended because, in the modern world, the main characteristic of our daily lives, from business negotiations to discussing everyday issues, is precisely debate. Experience, intellect, strategy, and the art of negotiation — this is how I can characterize what the Debate Club offers.
Therefore, the event not only met but exceeded my expectations, making me truly feel the excitement during the trial debate. In our studies and future work, we constantly have to interact with many people and advocate for necessary conditions, and this is exactly what the debate club teaches. Within its framework, students can hone their negotiation skills, study opponents' strategies, and learn to identify weaknesses in their positions. Since debate topics and team compositions change every time, the game never loses its relevance and fascination. You constantly encounter new perspectives and ideas you might not have considered before. This is a powerful tool for intellectual growth and developing mental flexibility.
"HSE for Children": Social Responsibility and the Thrill of Outreach
In addition to in-person events, HSE regularly holds online conferences and lectures that can leave equally vivid impressions. On September 22, the "HSE for Children" team presented their organization and its activities to us, first-year students. What touched me the most were the personal stories of the project participants, which covered not only their successes and achievements but also the difficulties they encountered along the way. The presentation also provided detailed information about grant marathons and HSE's Counselor Schools.
Since the presentation lasted over an hour, the speakers skillfully diluted the informational part with interactive quizzes and video clips that were no less interesting than the main content. The speakers also shared ambitious plans for the future, announcing projects in which one could participate soon. The most memorable moment for me was the video featuring the children participating in the projects. It managed to move me deeply and remind me of happy, carefree days from my own childhood. But behind this emotional response, I saw something greater: the university's serious social mission.
"HSE for Children" is not just a volunteer movement. It is a large-scale outreach project that solves several strategic tasks. First, it popularizes science and higher education among schoolchildren, making them more accessible and understandable. Second, it provides HSE students themselves with unique pedagogical and managerial practice, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in real life. Third, it fosters in students a sense of social responsibility and involvement in societal development. Participation in such projects helps realize that the knowledge gained at the university is not an abstract value but a concrete tool with which one can change the world for the better, starting with helping specific children with career guidance and broadening their horizons. This event showed me another facet of student life — a creative and altruistic one.
Conclusion: The University as a Unified Ecosystem of Opportunities
All these events took place in September, but students have the opportunity to get to know HSE and other students throughout the entire first year and subsequent years of study. Through disciplines like Life Safety and a rich extracurricular program, HSE helps students adapt to the university's vast territories, to the large number of new faces — both among peers and faculty. Most importantly, it helps you understand what interests you personally, at a conscious age when you make choices independently, without the direct influence of friends or parents.
Having analyzed my first impressions, I can confidently state that HSE's student organizations form a holistic and multi-layered ecosystem for personal development. It harmoniously combines seemingly opposite principles:
- Creativity and Analysis: "Guitarnik" provides an emotional outlet and develops emotional intelligence, while Debates hone cold reason and logic.
- Internal Reflection and External Activity: Writing the Life Safety essay forces you to analyze your feelings, while participating in "HSE for Children" directs energy outward to help others.
- Informal Communication and Structured Activity: Spontaneous bonfire gatherings with a guitar and the strictly regulated rules of parliamentary debates teach flexibility and adaptability.
Thus, the Higher School of Economics offers not just a set of interest-based clubs but a thoughtful trajectory for the "soft" initiation of a freshman into a full-fledged member of the academic and social community. Here, you can not only find friends with similar interests but also "test" different versions of your future self: try out being a musician, an orator, a teacher, an organizer. It is a space for safe experimentation, where any failure becomes not a defeat but a valuable experience, and any success — a building block in the foundation of your future career and personality.
Shared by
Anna Gorfain
