The life of an International Student: Motivation, Mistakes, and Lessons
You have many things in mind: questions to answer, research to gather needed information, people to leave behind, and a new culture to embrace. To some, traveling and studying abroad are fun, adventurous, and social. To others, it is a necessity to advance knowledge and improve chances. I am in the second category.
I have lived in Nigeria for a large portion of my life. Nigeria is my country and my home. Leaving was not an unreachable gate of escape from my country to a biblical land of milk and honey. It was a necessity, propelled by frustration with the Nigerian educational system—an educational system with highly qualified professors willing to teach, but an underfunded university system, almost paralyzed by political greed and corruption. This greed prefers to invest in catering to the rich political class—allocating expensive foreign cars to members of parliament while car manufacturing industries suffer, receiving outrageous and unwarranted monthly salaries and allowances. Politicians travel extensively, overflowing their social media with posts and photos insensitive to the plights of millions of Nigerians, who love their country but seek more than mere survival; they have dreams of achieving more and helping others.
People with hopes and aspirations find themselves fighting for the remaining little crumbs, working endlessly to survive while being the subject of global pity—the so-called “poverty rate in Africa” reported by European and American institutions that view Africa as an object of pity while absolving themselves of the legacy of colonialism and the regime changes that destroyed the continent, simultaneously broadcasting their self-congratulatory claims of spreading democracy worldwide.
The insensitivity of the dead political class in Nigeria became a burden to me in my first year at the University of Ibadan, a school I revere and adore. I discovered how many of my brilliant professors were unable to innovate due to a lack of research grants and how the curriculum was obsolete for students in the Education, Arts, and Social Sciences Faculties.
Coming to Russia was a good choice but not an easy decision due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also the beginning of the special military operations by the Russian government. Tensions were high, even in Nigeria. Food prices peaked following the Western isolation of Russia and the economic sanctions. Flight tickets doubled as fewer airlines wanted to come to Russia. I was determined to leave despite all that. I wasn't running away from Nigeria, as I hear from many young people who want to leave. I just wanted a different educational system. I won a scholarship. My school fees would be paid. I'd receive monthly money for my upkeep. HSE is a good school.
Then there was the problem of what to study. Some international students face this problem, especially when moving to a country with a different language. I know I'm terrible at learning new languages. I lived in the Western part of Nigeria for four years but didn’t learn to speak the language. Now that I have the scholarship, what should I study? What will help me impact people's lives positively? How will I do that, and where? These are the questions I asked myself.
The truth is that I've always wanted to be a prosecutor or a criminal law attorney. I was offered admission, and I had to choose between Political Science and World Politics or Jurisprudence. They're completely different courses. The environment is important. Political Science, I thought at the time, would help me contribute to the political reform of Nigeria's sick political system. World Politics was appealing. Russia is a world power with military and political strength. Studying Political Science in Russia would be beneficial.
However, I have a Jurisprudence offer, which is where my heart is. I've worked in a law firm. I appeared in court to take dates or put a request for adjournment on behalf of the attorneys I was working with. I love the courthouse. I love watching attorneys present their cases before the justice or the judge. So, I could pick Jurisprudence or Law, and in five years, I’d be done. But there's a problem. Jurisprudence will be taught in Russian, while Political Science and World Politics will be in English. Also, if I study Law in Russia, will I be able to practice outside Russia? Will the one-year language course help me learn Russian to the point of using it for legal texts and writing? I wasn't sure. Looking at it now, it seems to me that it might have been very difficult.
When the time came to make the choice, I opted for Political Science and World Politics, a seemingly easy course, against Law, which would be in Russian and require a lot of reading.
I have been studying Political Science and World Politics for over two years. It is an amazing course. The curriculum is current and very engaging. I have met professors that I really love. First, a visiting professor who taught me “English for Business Communication” in the first year, who is an amazing woman, and then the former academic supervisor of my program, Yury Kabanov, a patient and energetic teacher who knows the subjects he teaches very well. Finally, my term paper supervisor, Andras Gal. I haven't had another term paper supervisor, but I think Andras is the best supervisor anyone can have. He's patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable. I've had other teachers who are “okay enough” and others I'm not really a big fan of. There was also the condescending mathematics seminar teacher, for which I gave a terrible review at the end of the semester. I later learned that most of my classmates didn't like her as well. She didn't teach the class after ours. I don't know the reason, but I think it's a good thing, and it shows how HSE University values its students.
I am still struggling to come to terms with why I didn't continue with Jurisprudence, because despite how much I love my course and some of my teachers, I still feel there's something missing. Will I go back to study Law after this? This is still a question that I am yet to find an answer to. The easiness that I thought would come with Political Science, as opposed to Law, is just in my imagination. The program is as tough as it gets, from Mathematics and Statistics to Programming with Python to Data Analysis using R Studio.
Maybe I should have embraced the hardship that I saw with studying Jurisprudence. If you're a prospective student, you should be aware that HSE is a renowned university, and every course has difficulties that come with it. So, follow your heart.
I had a friend from Cambodia studying at the HSE campus in Moscow who made the same mistake of running away from his heart to what was simpler. He had to withdraw and return to Cambodia. The point isn't that it will always backfire, but following one's heart is important. Following your heart may not always work out, but you'll be glad that you did what you truly wanted, and when you faced difficult moments while following your heart, you’ll graciously persevere knowing that you're doing what you wanted to do.
There's also a need for seeking professional assistance. While students from certain high schools in developing countries may have challenges getting professional advice, they can ask. One thing about HSE University, or maybe Russians in general, is their authenticity and honesty. Most Russians will tell you what they think about something. As a prospective student, check the course website and write an email to the program supervisor; ask questions. Do not assume anything. You’ll get an honest response. Ask the International Students’ Office; they will likely connect you with an international ambassador.
This isn't a sad note from an unhappy student. If it is anything, it's a reflection from a student who loves his course of study but still believes he didn't follow his heart.
I believe you enjoyed my sotry and learned something from it.
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