BRICS, Diplomacy, and Economic Analysis: An HSE Semester in Brazil
A semester in Brazil became far more than a period of academic mobility for HSE University students—it turned into a full-fledged professional experience. While studying at universities in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, they simultaneously undertook internships at the General Consulate of the Russian Federation and the Trade Representation of Russia, combining academic training with practical experience of international work.
In the autumn semester of 2025, students of the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs combined their studies at leading Brazilian universities with practical work at Russian diplomatic missions abroad. Academic mobility gave them not only the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of international relations and the global economy, but also to gain first-hand experience in diplomacy and foreign economic activity.
Maria Bakhareva and Dmitry Lobov, students of the International Relations programme, together with Ekaterina Cherkasova, a student of the World Economy programme, studied at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte. At the same time, they worked closely with the General Consulate of the Russian Federation in Rio de Janeiro and the Trade Representation of Russia in Brazil.
Academic Environment and Engagement with the International Agenda
Maria Bakhareva chose the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) because of its strong focus on international relations and the opportunity to improve her Portuguese language skills.
‘Rio de Janeiro is a city with a unique atmosphere, and the opportunity to study here has been an important stage in my professional development,’ the student noted. ‘My experience in Rio was truly multifaceted. I chose to live with a host family, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of local traditions and to adapt more quickly to the language environment. With each passing day, it became easier to communicate in Portuguese and to learn more about local customs and everyday life.’
Classes at PUC-Rio were held in an interactive format: students actively participated in discussions, analysed academic texts, and prepared short research projects. According to Maria Bakhareva, this approach contributed significantly to the development of analytical thinking and public speaking skills.
An important part of the programme was cooperation with the General Consulate of the Russian Federation. ‘I had the opportunity to meet the Consul General and the attaché, speak with members of staff, and learn about the specifics of their work and their day-to-day responsibilities,’ said Maria Bakhareva.
Another valuable professional experience was participation in the BRICS International School, organised by the BRICS Expert Council–Russia together with representatives of HSE University at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Maria Bakhareva volunteered at the school, assisting with delegation support and liaising with Brazilian colleagues.
‘During the school, I was able to attend fascinating lectures delivered by representatives of different BRICS countries. It was not only an opportunity to broaden my knowledge, but also an excellent way to immerse myself in the international academic community,’ she explained.
As part of the event, HSE students met their fellow student Sofya Khodakova, who joined the delegation as a prize-winner of the Fifth International Olympiad on Financial Security.
‘One of the most memorable moments of my mobility period was a surfing lesson at Arpoador Beach, as well as attending a match of the football club Flamengo at the Maracanã Stadium—incredible experiences that I will remember for a long time. I also gave my Brazilian classmates Alyonka chocolate bars, and they were absolutely delighted. I would even call it true “chocolate diplomacy.” They not only enjoyed the taste, but also wanted to keep the wrappers as a souvenir and said that one day they would definitely like to visit Russia,’ Maria recalled.
In addition to her studies, the student travelled around Brazil, visiting cities such as São Paulo, Petrópolis, Belo Horizonte, and Ouro Preto, seeing the Iguazu Falls and even flying to Buenos Aires for two days. ‘It was a unique opportunity to compare cities and two countries, to understand their distinctive features—from architecture to the atmosphere in the streets,’ she shared.
Practical Experience in Foreign Economic Affairs
Dmitry Lobov and Ekaterina Cherkasova studied at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte. The university was chosen for its strong International Relations programme and solid academic reputation.
‘Our first steps in Brazil were connected with certain bureaucratic difficulties. One of them was finding accommodation. We found an option through social media, but after transferring the money, the landlord stopped responding, which came as an unpleasant surprise. Fortunately, we noticed the signs of fraud in time and quickly found another flat through more reliable channels. It was an important lesson: you need to be cautious when searching for accommodation online,’ Dmitry Lobov explained.
The learning process was highly interactive: classes were structured around discussions and group projects, which helped develop teamwork and professional communication skills.
At the same time, the students completed an internship at the Trade Representation of Russia in Brazil. They were involved in monitoring news, preparing analytical reports, and drafting informational materials for the official resources of the Representation.
‘This experience enabled us to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of economic cooperation between Russia and Brazil and to apply our theoretical knowledge in practice,’ Dmitry Lobov noted.
During the internship, they also visited the office of the Trade Representation in São Paulo and discussed current areas of bilateral cooperation with its staff.
‘Brazilian culture and the mindset of local people were quite different from what we were used to in Russia. We quickly learned not to treat lateness as a problem and realised that Brazilians are very tactile and open. Despite these differences, it was easy for us to adapt, especially because local students actively supported us and were genuinely interested in communication,’ Dmitry Lobov added.
During their stay in Brazil, the students travelled extensively: they visited Ouro Preto, Brasilia, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, the Iguazu Falls, and many other cultural and historical sites. ‘We realised how important it is not only to study at university, but also to discover the country through its people and culture,’ Dmitry Lobov emphasised.
An Experience for the Future
According to the students, the combination of academic study and practical training was the key advantage of the mobility programme. The opportunity to study academic disciplines while simultaneously working on real tasks within diplomatic and foreign economic institutions allowed them to form a more comprehensive understanding of their future professional paths.
‘For those planning to undertake mobility in Brazil, we would recommend preparing in advance. First, be sure to learn at least the basics of Portuguese. Without it, both studying and everyday life will be difficult. Secondly, be prepared for bureaucratic challenges, as visa applications, finding accommodation, and other tasks require attention and patience. Most importantly, do not be afraid of difficulties and learn to adapt to new conditions. That is also part of studying abroad—learning to solve problems, not just acquiring knowledge,’ Dmitry Lobov shared.
The participants intend to use the experience they have gained in their future careers in international relations and the global economy.
Text written by Maria Bakhareva, third-year student of the International Relations programme
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