Elie Noujaim, Lebanon

I completed my bachelor’s degree in political sciences and am now preparing for a master’s programme in International Relations at HSE University. I felt the need to pursue higher education at a well-established university. Moscow is an international hub, a city where global perspectives converge. Engaging with the city’s world-renowned theatres, profound literature, and rich history provided me with a warm welcome to this nation. Today, all my efforts are directed towards deepening my knowledge of Russia and achieving native-like language proficiency.

The Prep Year programme has wonderful teachers who guide me through these challenges, and I am truly grateful for their support.

My curiosity drew me to the Russian Speaking Club, which gathered a diverse group of students from around the world. It was there that I experienced the real meaning of my chosen field, International Relations: it became more than an academic major—it transformed into a living dialogue between cultures.

The Preparatory Year has provided me with the necessary interface to learn Russian and about Russia. It’s a challenging adventure worth pursuing, and I know the lessons learned here will serve me greatly in my future endeavours.