Lost in a swirl of unexpected sleet during a mandatory fingerprinting errand in Moscow, I mistook my first snow for mere rain challenging my picture-perfect expectations and turning excitement into frozen frustration. As a Nigerian international student hailing from sun-drenched lands, this incident starkly revealed the raw realities of Russia's winter and HSE's administrative maze.
A Nigerian student shares his magical first New Year's Eve in Moscow—from icy awe at Sokolniki Park to skating falls, cold-weather dancing, and finding belonging under the fireworks.
A heartfelt reflection on my years at HSE- growth, belonging, intercultural friendships, and memories that shaped the most meaningful chapter of my life.
