International Student Network (ISN) is a student volunteer organisation that has been helping international students to adapt to life in Moscow and to study at HSE since 2014, creating conditions for social and cultural integration.
It works in the interests of international students of the Higher School of Economics and is focused on improving the conditions for their social and cultural adaptation in Moscow and at HSE. However, if you are not an HSE student you can still take part in ISN events!
ISN volunteers organise events for both international and Russian students. Language practice events, buddy-programs (system of peer-to-peer assistance between local and international students), social projects, parties, trips to other cities and visiting museums - all this is ISN HSE Moscow.
If you have further questions or want to join the organisation, contact ISN HSE Moscow: isnhse@gmail.com
Follow ISN HSE Moscow Chanel to catch up in Telegram.
What ISN HSE does
Today, ISN HSE Moscow volunteers assist international students of HSE Moscow in the process of adjusting to the Moscow and Russian cultural environment.
Examples of what ISN does:
- One-day and longer trips in Russia (St. Petersburg, Murmansk, Kazan, Sergiev Posad and other cities);
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Cultural exchange and networking events - Culture Cafe, where international students talk about their home country;
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Foreign language practice with native speakers at regular meetings - Tandem Meetings;
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Supervision of the Buddy Program, including selection of volunteers among HSE students;
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Visiting museums, theatre and cinema;
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Themed parties;
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Participation in HSE festivals and other events;
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Walking and cycling tours around Moscow;
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Sports events (bowling, paintball, picnics);
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Charity events and much more!
To keep up to date with all the latest news and upcoming events, subscribe to the ISN HSE Moscow page in Telegram.
Buddy Volunteers
Buddies are one of the section's key projects.
Buddies are [mainly] Russian students currently studying at HSE University, who are voluntarily helping international incoming students to get accustomed to life in Moscow and feel more confident in a new cultural and social environment through assisting them in their basic needs. You meet your buddy upon your arrival or can request their help any time throughout your stay.
What buddies do:
- Meet you at the Aeroexpress station (not at the airport!);
- Deliver you to your dormitory and help you with the check-in process;
- Provide you with general information (the infrastructure around dorm and campus buildings, useful apps, emergency telephone numbers, etc);
- Help you to deal with local documents and forms in Russian;
- Recommend you events and places in the city;
- Remain your first contact and accompany you in case of emergency;
- Re-direct you to a responsible person in case your question requires HSE University administration's involvement.
What buddies do not do:
- Meet you during night hours (from 9 PM till 8 AM);
- Become your full-time personal assistant (respect their own time and space!);
- Offer any financial or other material help.
REQUEST A BUDDY
When you know your exact arrival date, please fill in this form to request a buddy. We highly recommend writing something about yourself in the registration form as it increases your chances of getting a local buddy. You can contact the ISN team at buddy@hse.ru for the questions concerning the Buddy programme.
JOIN HSE UNIVERSITY AS A BUDDY MEMBER
To become a buddy, you can also contact the Buddy Coordinator at the above email address. Also keep an eye on our social media for updates, we do recruitment several times a year!
