Through Thorns to Stars: Yu’s Moscow Path

We talked to Yu Xinghe, a Chinese student, about her life and study.

Yu, let’s start at the beginning. Tell us about yourself and your life in China before the move. What were you studying?

Hello! My name is Yu Xinghe. Before coming to Russia, I spent four years completing my Bachelor’s degree in China, majoring in Russian Language and Literature, which is essentially what is categorized as ‘Philology’ here in Moscow. During my third year of university, I actually had the chance to study at SPbU (St. Petersburg State University) as an exchange student for a year. I absolutely loved the academic atmosphere in Russia, so after graduating in China, I decided to return for my Master’s at HSE.

What is your focus now?

I am currently enrolled in the Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication program, specializing in the Translation and Interpretation track. Back in China, I already obtained my national professional certificates for Russian-Chinese translation, but I feel my English isn’t yet at the level where I can work as a trilingual interpreter. That is why I am here, to push that boundary. My goal is to work for a Chinese corporation and handle the complex business and diplomatic affairs between our two countries.

Many students in China choose the US or Australia. Why was Russia your “first spark”?

It’s interesting. in Chinese schools, our curriculum includes a lot of classical Russian literature. Because of our shared history with the USSR, we have many opportunities to engage with Russian stories. I became fascinated by the “Russian character” and the history of the Soviet Union. I wanted to see with my own eyes how these people live, work, and think. Also, practically speaking, while I used to enjoy American TV shows, the cost of living in the West is now incredibly high. Russia offered a unique history and a more logical path for my career.

I’m struck by her fluency. She handles the complex Russian cases with the confidence of a local. It’s clear that her time here hasn’t just been about getting a degree, but about a deep, practical immersion into the language she first discovered in her school textbooks in China.

How did HSE end up at the top of your list? And as someone who already speaks the language fluently, was it a difficult process to get here? What was the biggest challenge studying the Russian language?

I applied as a candidate through the Chinese Ministry of Education. Because of my academic results during my Bachelor’s, I was granted a scholarship. When they gave me the list of available Russian universities, I saw the Higher School of Economics and remembered a close friend of mine who is an alumnus. He had recommended the Vyshka atmosphere very highly. I actually convinced my best friend, who also has a high level of Russian, to apply with me. We decided to take the leap together, and fortunately, we both succeeded!

Regarding the language... even now, grammar is a workout! At the start, I constantly confused Russian and English letters: like the Russian “У” and “Р” and the English “Y” and “P.” And the cases! Chinese has nothing like that. But once you get used to the system, it’s not so scary.

How does HSE compare to your university in China, Nankai University?

It’s a common saying that HSE is an unusual university in the Russian landscape, but for me, it felt familiar. At Nankai, we had a system very similar to HSE’s Magolego (university-wide electives), though we didn’t call it by that name. The level of control from professors is very strict in both places. The academic rigour is demanding; you aren’t just expected to attend lectures, but to produce results constantly. We have to work on entrepreneurship projects and practical interpretations. You have to be involved in many different aspects of university life simultaneously.

It is this shared culture of hard work that seems to have smoothed Yu’s transition into the Moscow rhythm.

What were the most common stereotypes you heard about Russians in China? Which ones turned out to be true and which ones are false?

Of course, there are the famous ones, vodka and bears. In China, people often joke that Russians keep bears as pets or walk them on leashes. Because I studied Russian history and literature, I knew these were just myths. However, I did have a stereotypical moment in Irkutsk! I actually saw a bear there, though, to be fair, it was right on the edge of a forest, not in a city center.

There is also a stereotype that Russians are lazy or disorganized. But my personal experience has been the complete opposite. I’ve noticed that Russians are incredibly disciplined when it comes to rules. They pay extraordinary attention to contracts, legal agreements, and specific conditions. When it comes to business and formal obligations, they are very serious and meticulous.

Did you experience any “culture shock” in how we interact?

Absolutely. One of the biggest shocks happened during business dinners. In China, the host is expected to talk constantly, especially about the food. You describe every dish, the ingredients, and the history as a way of showing hospitality. But I noticed that for Russian clients, dinner is for eating.

You’ve become quite the explorer. If a friend came from China and you had to show them the real Russia, without stepping foot in Moscow or St. Petersburg, where would you take them?

I would definitely suggest Murmansk. For us in China, the Northern Lights are something incredibly rare and fascinating; we don’t have anything like that. I would also take them to Irkutsk to see Lake Baikal.

How does the atmosphere change once you leave the Moscow Ring Road (MKAD)?

It’s a different world. In Moscow, the prices are twice as high, the pace of life is frantic, and everyone is dressed very formally, almost like they are always heading to an official meeting. In other cities, people are much more relaxed and simple in a good way. There’s less English spoken, but the energy is calmer.

Russian trains have a very specific atmosphere, the sound of the wheels, the tea, and the conversations with strangers. What was the most Russian thing you experienced during those long hours on the tracks?

In literature, the “Road” is often a symbol of an endless, unfolding destiny. And I felt that symbolism myself. Traveling by train in Russia is like a wonderful trial. In China, our high-speed rails are incredibly fast, but in Russia, the trains move much slower. At first, it’s a shock, but then you start to enjoy it. It forces you to embrace a slow life. You sit by the window, watch the endless landscape, and just exist. It’s the opposite of the Moscow rush.

Was there a specific moment where you felt you finally understood the Russian way of life?

It happened at the end of my exchange year in St. Petersburg. I spent my free time walking the streets, visiting theaters, and going to museums. But the most profound moment was in the spring.

What happened?

In China, the flowers were already blooming by that time, but in Russia, it was still freezing. The frost felt endless. It felt like we weren’t even living in the real world anymore. Many of my Chinese classmates couldn’t handle that atmosphere, the constant cold and the grey sky, and they actually gave up and went home.

And how did you feel?

I was also in a bad mood; It felt very heavy on my soul. But then I realized something about the Russian character: Hope is born from the act of waiting for spring. Just when you fall into complete despair, spring finally arrives. I think that describes the Russian spirit throughout history, they don’t lose heart; they endure the winter and they stand back up.

For a student coming from the high-speed, ever-blooming rhythm of southern China, mastering this patient “waiting for spring” is perhaps the most profound lesson in intercultural adaptation one can receive.

Is there a food that felt strange at first but now feels like home?

Borscht with smetana (sour cream). At first, I hated the idea of sour cream in soup. Many people in the East are lactose intolerant, so it felt risky. But my mom visited in October and told me to try it. Now, I can’t eat borscht without it!

What are your plans after graduation? Will you stay in Russia?

I have a contract with my government, so I must return to China to work for at least two years. But I hope to work for a company that does business with Russia. I would love to come back on business trips.

What is your advice to a Chinese student thinking about moving to study in Moscow?

Master the language. Don’t give up. If you can’t speak fluently, life here will be very hard and lonely. But if you can communicate, you can ask for help and find happiness.

Finally, if you had to describe Russia in one sentence, what would it be?

“Per aspera ad astra” — Through the thorns to the stars.

We would like to thank Yu for this insightful conversation. We wish her the best of luck with studies at HSE and her future career as a translator. We have no doubt she will achieve every goal she has set for herself!

Interviewed by

Anna Petrovskikh