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Regular version of the site

Preparatory Year Programme Welcomes New Students

On November 25, the HSE Preparatory Year programme held a special welcome meeting for its new students. The aim of the event is to better acquaint them with HSE and the educational programmes it offers.

This year’s HSE Preparatory Year programme runs for the first time for approximately 90 students from more than 30 countries, including Bulgaria, Vietnam, China, Congo, Indonesia, Mongolia, the U.S., Djibouti, Bolivia and others. They have arrived in Moscow to study Russian in order to prepare for enrolment in Russian-taught undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programmes. During the first semester students attend RFL classes at their level; in the second semester the curriculum will also include other bridge courses to introduce students to Russian terminology in various fields of the humanities, economics or engineering. The students can study both on fee-paying and tuition-free basis. Next year the number of participants is expected to double.

The event opened with a warm-up session where leaders of ReadSquare, an online English-language student newspaper, challenged some of the most widespread stereotypes about Russia. Do Russians avoid talking about work? Are they generally rude, unfriendly and rarely say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’? These and other questions were discussed with the audience. At the session, students shared their first impressions of Moscow. Andy At Yeboah from Ghana, who is currently enrolled in the Master’s programme in Applied Social Psychology, spoke about the advantages of studying in Russia and at HSE. He encouraged students to approach studying in Russia with an open mind and readiness to learn.

Approach studying in Russia with an open mind and readiness to learn

Professor Grigory Kantorovich, a member of HSE’s Academic Council, then talked to students about major milestones in the university’s development, focusing on internationalization. Over the past decade, a growing number of international faculty members have joined HSE; presently, more than 100 people from all over the world teach and conduct research at the university. The international student body has also rapidly grown along with an increasing number of Bachelor’s, Master’s and short-term programmes in English. In 2016, 21 English-taught Master’s programmes will be offered, including four brand new programmes: Strategic Financial Management, Applied Statistics with Social Network Analysis, Advanced Urban Design, and Finance. Two English-taught undergraduate programmes offer the opportunity for economics and international relations students to earn parallel degrees from HSE and University of London. Other international students work on their Russian language skills in Preparatory Year before enrolling in Russian-taught programmes.

After the session, representatives of various HSE faculties spoke with preparatory year students about their educational programmes and possible career tracks. Students learned about opportunities to study in the Faculty of Economic Sciences, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Business Informatics, and the Faculty of Humanities.             

 

Hamza Akorede, Nigeria

I came to Russia because I intend to study economics. I think that in order to be a good economist I need to gain experience and analyze complicated situations in a big economy. My dad studied here and my brother also studied in St. Petersburg. So I came here because I also want to have more opportunities. I speak French and English, and I believe the more languages you speak the more opportunities you have in life. I found Russian more difficult than English and French, especially in the beginning, but I like learning it. After this preparatory year programme I’m going to apply for Master’s, as I already have a Bachelor’s from my university. I am very interested in HSE’s English-taught programme in Financial Economics. I really enjoyed the welcome event - it was very nice and showed that this university is very interested in the positive atmosphere among students. It’s a good message, a good image for the university.

Alexander Karagichov, Israel

My parents, both father and mother, are of Russian origin, so they are both Russian speakers. I think I can speak fluently, read, write, and generally keep the conversation going, but I really benefit from the Russian language classes here. The teachers are wonderful – they are very devoted. I think that if I plan to do something in Russia, whether living here or working, it’s important to first of all understand the Russian mentality and to know the language well. Besides, I really like Russian literature.

After the programme, I plan to do a Bachelor’s either in finance or in international relations.  I haven’t decided yet. I am currently looking at HSE’s English-taught programmes. I think there are a lot of career opportunities in Russia because it’s a very big country compared to Israel. I can definitely find something to do here.

Jazmin Quevedo Cascante, Bolivia

I came to Russia because I saw it as an amazing opportunity. Since I was little I knew that I wanted to go abroad. There are not many opportunities in my country, and there is much to learn outside. I’ve already studied in the United States, and when I was presented with an opportunity to study in Russia I thought it was an excellent idea.

I find the language really beautiful but it’s very hard to learn! I feel that people have a preconception of what Russian people are like and what Russia is. Many of my family and friends wondered why I wanted to go to Russia, to such a cold country. I must say that being here I find it very safe – I easily can go to a store near my dormitory at midnight, something that I wouldn’t do at home. And it’s not always cold – in summer it’s beautiful, with lots of sun. Also, I don’t think that Russian people are cold. If you get to know them, they are very nice and helpful. The country is big and beautiful. I love the Moscow subway, the city and its different sights. There is always something new to see and learn. I’ve been here two months already and haven’t regretted it one bit. I knew a little Russian before coming here – I took classes for nine months. So, when I came here I had the advantage of knowing how to read and how to say a few words. I think I’ve already made some progress in Russian and I am looking forward to knowing much more by the end of the year. I have an excellent teacher who is really nice and very patient. I think that the preparatory year programme is spectacular. After finishing it I would like to apply to a Master’s programme at HSE because this university is quite prestigious. I feel very comfortable with the teachers here. I really liked the programmes that the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs presented at the welcome event.

Ardyanti Laksitaningtyas, Indonesia

I’ve come to Russia because I love this country and I want to learn the language – it’s cool. I already took some Russian classes in Indonesia – I studied Russian literature. But my Russian is not good yet because the system of language teaching in Indonesia is not as good as here. Russia is very different from Indonesia, but as people say, if you can live in Russia, you can live in any country. It’s a bit difficult at first to adapt to life here, especially to the weather, but it’s a step-by-step process for me.

I would like to enter a doctoral programme at HSE, as I already have a Master’s degree from my university in Indonesia. I am interested in the social sciences. I really enjoyed the welcome event as I got a lot of information about HSE faculties, career prospects and professional development. I even made new friends there.  

 

 

 

 

See also:

‘My Prep Year Experience Has Been Phenomenal; I Would Repeat It All over Again if I Could’

The International Preparatory Year programme held its graduation ceremony in July. This academic year, 125 students from 50 countries were enrolled in the programme. They will continue their studies at Russian universities, most of them pursuing bachelor's and master's programmes at HSE University. The graduation was organised as a quest, where the students were able to demonstrate their achievements in learning the Russian language. Graduates from Ecuador, Syria, and Mexico shared their impressions with the HSE News Service, Deputy Director Polina Shanko talked about plans for the coming year, and mathematics teacher Vladimir Gordin gave his advice to future students.

‘Russia Is a Land of Openness and Possibility’

Lorenzo Trufolo graduated from Bologna University and is studying in the HSE International Preparatory Year ahead of his master’s studies in international trade at HSE University. In his interview, he talks about his studies in Russia, participation in academic conferences and competitions, and the challenges of living in Moscow.

HSE Prep Year Students Present Their Research Papers at International Conference in Tomsk

From April 25 to 27, a scientific student conference was held at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU). It was attended by international graduate students and postgraduate students from 57 countries, including four students from the HSE Preparatory Year programme. The HSE News Service talked to the conference organisers and participants about their impressions of the event.

‘The 4th International Economics Olympiad—My Journey’

Oghogho Joy Isibor came to HSE University after earning a scholarship from the Faculty of Economic Sciences for her performance in the International Economics Olympiad. She is one of several foreigners to apply via the same competition. Oghogho is currently studying on the HSE University Preparatory Year Programme before starting her Economics degree. Read on to find out about her experience of the Olympiad, adapting to life in Russia, and the challenges of learning Russian for her future studies.

‘I Made a Lot of Friends and My Speaking Level Improved’

On December 23, students of the HSE Preparatory Year got together for a festive Russian speaking club. They expanded their vocabulary and cultural outlook by immersing themselves in Russian winter holiday traditions and even played the role of Ded Moroz—the Russian Santa.

‘The City of Moscow Inspires Me with the Joy of Living’

The new academic year is gaining momentum at the HSE Preparatory Year, with students from over 40 countries currently enrolled. The HSE News Service talked to the new students about their first impressions and the challenges of studying at HSE University and living in Moscow, while teachers of the Prep Year extracurricular clubs shared their ideas and plans for future activities.

‘A High Concentration of Intercultural Communications’

The team of the HSE International Preparatory Year said goodbye to its students at a graduation party that took place at the HSE Cultural Centre. 197 students from 58 countries graduated from the programme this year. They learned Russian and profile subjects in Russian, which has helped over 100 of them to enrol in degree programmes at HSE University.

What It Is Like to Be an HSE Student

Van Ly Vu took Prep Year programme at HSE University before enrolling in BA in Advertising and Public Relations. In her column for HSE Illuminated, an online student newsletter, she shares her story of becaming a student of HSE University.

‘In the Future, I Would Like to Become an HSE University Teacher’

Karina Kuzhanova, third-year student at the Faculty of Law, and Anna Yatsenko, second-year student at the Faculty of Economic Sciences, moved to Moscow from Kazakhstan to study at HSE University. They shared their impressions of studies and student life with the HSE News Service, as well as talking about some of the most inspirational things in the Russian capital.

'It Was Nice to Experience the Charms of Student Life in Russia'

Ljiljana Filipović, from Croatia, is currenttly studying in the Master in International Management programme at the HSE Graduate School of Business. This year she was also helping international students with Russian language in 'Russian speaking club' organized by International Prep Year programme. In her interview, Ljiljana Filipović shares her experience of the Prep Year programme and offers some useful tips for international students.