Tag "international students"

In February and March 2025, four students of the HSE Preparatory Year took part in the Russian Language Olympiad for Students of Preparatory Faculties, which was held online via the website of the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute.

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.

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.

Learning Russian is one of the challenges international students face when they come to Russia. HSE University helps them not only with Russian classes, but with informal events such as the Russian Speaking Club, where they can absorb the language in a relaxed and non-competitive setting. The HSE News Service talked to the organisers and participants of the club about their impressions of the first meeting and plans for the future.

In October, the HSE International Prep Year programme held orientation sessions for its newcomers. Why should one study Russian? What is the admission process like at HSE University? Is it easy to navigate through Moscow and the HSE buildings? The HSE News Service discussed these and other questions with Faizullah from Afghanistan, Sechang from South Korea, and Faith from Zambia—all newly enrolled students of the Prep Year.

On July 3, 2024, the International Preparatory Year programme held its graduation ceremony. This academic year, 215 students (150 on state-funded and 65 on fee-paying places) from over 50 countries were enrolled in the programme. Graduates from Nigeria, Sudan, and Vietnam shared their impressions with the HSE News Service. Alexandra Nazarchuk, Director of the International Preparatory Year Programme talked about their achievements and plans for the coming year.