The First International Speaker at HSE Talks

HSE Talks were founded by students from the HSE Faculty of Business and Management. The first event was held on November 10, 2014. Georgii Koreshkov, head of HSE Talks, is dedicated to promoting this kind of interaction among students. He got the idea after watching a number of TED Talks videos. ‘HSE needs something like this, and we will do it no matter what!’ Georgii said.

HSE Talks are aimed at ‘sharing ideas that are worth spreading’, which is the official slogan of TED conference. The length of each talk is 5-20 minutes long, but if the audience enjoys the speaker and the topic, extra time is allotted for the speech and discussion. Speakers are primarily chosen due to their experience in the field and their ability to speak on a relevant topic.

HSE Talks #5 was the first time an international speaker was invited. Prince John Abakah, a fifth year student of the Moscow Power Engineering institute (MPEI), gave a talk on how to avoid procrastination.

He delivered his talk in English in a way that differed from the English heard in a language class or on recorded audio for the IELTS exam. The audience was excited but a little confused at the beginning since for somebody it was the first time listening to a native speaker.

Prince was very persuasive, using gestures and mimics and crossing the room several times in an attempt to engage students by giving them sheets of papers for to-do lists. He admitted, that it felt so good crossing out a completed task from a list. The feeling of fulfilment was immeasurable.

‘The questions that came from the audience were enough to tell me the message was accepted. I must confess I really had a nice time sharing my ideas and knowledge with others’.

‘HSE Talks provides a wonderful and unique opportunity for students to express themselves and to listen to those who have already achieved noble results. Is it really true that everything is possible? I was assured of this having listened to speakers at HSE Talks’, Georgii said.

The founders of HSE Talks are interested in cooperating with international students and organizing an English version of HSE Talks. International students from HSE have already expressed their eagerness to be involved. It is hoped that the international experience involved might help Russian students overcome the language barrier and broaden their horizons.

Source: online student magazine Read Square. If you wish to become a contributor, contact magazine’s editor-in-chief Yulia Kazakova (ylvkazakova@gmail.com)

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