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Adila Ulfia Maula Tontowi is a third-year student of the Bachelor’s in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication. After moving from her hometown in Indonesia to France for a year, she decided to broaden her horizons even further and study at HSE University in Moscow. In this interview, Maula talks about navigating intercultural interactions, how the International Prep Year helped her adapt to life in Russia, and what she’s learned about traditional Russian celebrations like Maslenitsa—which is taking place this week.

On February 1, 2025, the HSE Cultural Centre hosted its annual celebration of the Lunar New Year. This large-scale event brought together students and teachers with an interest in the cultures of East Asian countries. The celebration was organised by the School of Asian Studies at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, the Department of Internationalisation, the HSE Chinese Club, as well as other university clubs—the Musubi Japanese Club and the Hanryang Korean Club.

The number of applications has nearly doubled: as of today, more than 2,600 applications have been submitted for undergraduate programmes, and more than 2,400 for master's programmes. This increased interest from international applicants in studying at HSE confirms the university's status as one of the most sought-after Russian universities abroad.

Representatives from the HSE Institute of Education have visited leading Indian universities, including the University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and O.P. Jindal Global University, as well as several research centres. HSE staff gave guest lectures on the Russian education system, highlighting its features and opportunities for international students. The visit aimed to strengthen academic collaboration between the two countries. 

Eating fruit, wearing traditional outfits, and surviving the Moscow cold: Prep Year students from Vietnam, Iran, and Ghana talk about the New Year traditions in their countries and their plans for the celebration in Russia.

This winter, Moscow invites locals and visitors alike to revel in the atmosphere of the upcoming holidays in its shops, theatres, exhibitions, ice rinks, and more. The winter markets in particular create a special feeling of cosiness during the cold evenings. Read on to learn more about some of Moscow’s most festive markets this December.