"It’s been a roller coaster sincerely..."
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Being an international student of one of the most prestigious universities in Russia comes with lots of responsibilities, hence a wide range of experiences, opinions, etc. In this interview with three international students, we will see other life perspectives in Russia as an HSE student.
Obasa Oluwatimileyin Deborah
Nigeria
– How long have you been in Russia?
Deborah: I've been in Russia for almost a year. *smiles*
– That's amazing! And how has it been for you so far?
D: It’s been a roller coaster sincerely. There have been lots of ups and downs, happy and sad times.
– I believe you are a student of the Higher school of economics, what course are you studying and what year are you?
D: I am a first-year master's student in Agrarian Economics.
– Agrarian Economics? That's an amazing course to study. Can you tell me why you chose it?
D: *exhales* Well, I love agrarian economics and it’s been my dream to have a diploma in this course.
– So how has it been for you? Do you study English or Russian?
D: My departmental courses are in Russian, but my faculty courses are in English. I did a preparatory year in the Russian language which already prepared me for this. It’s a fun course to study aside from the hardest subjects which are Micro and Macroeconomics. It's so frustrating. *laughs out loud*
– You must be a very smart lady, that's very impressive. Tell me why you choose Russia.
D: I didn't choose Russia, Russia chose me. *smiles*
– *Laughs out loud* Indeed. But you must have had some reasons why you let Russia choose you.
D: At the time I was looking for countries where I could pursue a master's degree, Russia ticked all the boxes in terms of, the kind of university I wanted, the type of environment, and also the kind of weather, so everything I wanted was in Russia. And Russia is quite different from my country in every way possible and that was perfect for me because I needed a change of environment
– Have you experienced any form of Racism here?
D: Yes, when I was applying for a job in an agricultural firm, they were impressed by my resume and were ready to hire but they changed their minds when they realized that I didn't have a Russian Passport.
– That's quite sad and I hope you get a job pretty soon. Anyway, Can you tell me a happy event that you'll always remember here in Russia?
D: When my husband finally came to join me here. *smiles*
– That's nice. Congratulations to you! And do you like Russian food?
D: Yes, I like some. My favorite is Манная(manaya). It's made with milk, Manka, coconuts, and sugar.
– Nice! So what can you say about Russians in General and will you recommend HSE/Russia to anyone?
D: Russians are nice people generally and yes, I'll recommend HSE/Russian to anyone, but it also depends on the person's preferences.
Teodora Danicic
Serbia
– How long have you been in Russia?
Teodora: I arrived in Russia on the 4th of December 2019, so it's been almost a year.
– That's great! And how has it been for you so far?
T: There have been a lot of challenges for me here in Russia, because every day, you have a new experience about something.
– I believe you are a student of the Higher school of economics, what course are you studying and what year are you?
T: I am studying for a bachelor's degree in International relations and I'm a first-year student.
– So how has it been for you? Do you study English or Russian?
T: I study in Russian and it's been hard because, I have to go through this whole adaptation process because I'm a foreigner and there are a lot of Russians in my class and I have to get used to it and the words used in class are different from the daily words used on the streets, so I have to work twice as hard to fit in, which seems impossible.
– Tell me why you choose Russia.
T: We know that Russia and Serbia hold strong relationships and are quite similar in religions and culture, also my mom somehow influenced my decision to come here.
– Have you experienced any form of Racism here?
T: Yes, so many times. In the metro, in the dormitory, literally everywhere.
– That's quite sad. Anyway, Can you tell me a happy event that you'll always remember here in Russia?
T: Studying in the HSE Russian Language Preparatory year was the highlight. There I met people from different nationalities and we had a strong connection. My teachers were equally amazing. Those were the best times of my life.
– Do you like Russian food?
T: Yes, I like Bortsch, my mum came here last year and we made it together.
– Nice! So what can you say about Russians in General and will you recommend HSE/Russia to anyone?
T: Russians are friendly people generally, even though I had some issues adapting with them and yes, I'll recommend HSE/Russian to anyone, anytime. It's the best.
Helen Selorm Wohoyie
Ghana
– How long have you been in Russia?
Helen: I've been in Russia for about 11 months. I arrived last year in December.
– That's great! And how has it been for you so far?
H: It's been amazing sincerely, I love it here and I'm glad I decided to study at HSE Moscow and most especially in Russia.
– I believe you are a student of the Higher school of economics, what course are you studying and what year are you?
H: I am currently doing my second masters here at HSE. I recently graduated this June with a red diploma from the department of Social Sciences and my program was Population and Development. Afterward, I applied for another master's in Data Analytics for Politics and Society in Saint Petersburg.
– Wow! That’s amazing and impressive! We both know how hard it is to get a red diploma here at HSE, so congratulations! But why did you choose to apply for another master's degree and not a Ph.D., naturally, that should have been the next step?
H: I didn't apply for a Ph.D. because I don't want to do it here in Russia because the stipends are small. *smiles* But I chose this 2nd master's course because I wanted to gain lots of experience in data analytics before I proceed with my Ph.D. Currently, I'm learning programming, python, etc.
– That's brilliant! But why did you choose to move to Saint Petersburg, you got tired of Moscow. *laughs out loud*
H: No, I still love Moscow, but being in Saint Petersburg has always been my dream. I fell in love with pictures and videos of the city and that was the major reason for coming to Russia. Unfortunately, the first master's degree program that I chose had its base in Moscow.
– Have you experienced any form of Racism here?
H: Not at all, it's been love and respect over and over again. In the metro, bus, church, malls, everywhere.
– That's great to know. Anyway, can you tell me a happy or bad event that you'll always remember here in Russia?
H: I've not had any bad experiences yet, and I hope not to have any till I leave, on the contrary, I have lots of happy moments and my favorites are when I get to hang out with my Russian mates and family and enjoying lots of milk from their kitchen *laughs out loud*
– Do you like Russian food?
H: Yes, I love their soup, it's so delicious and it's the best I've had so far.
– Nice! So what can you say about Russians in General and will you recommend HSE/Russia to anyone?
H: I always do!
