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Ravan Nuraddin ogly Novruzlu was born in Gazakh, Azerbaijan. Later, his family moved to Moscow, the city where he grew up, studied, and finished school. He enrolled at the University of Klagenfurt in Austria, where he studied International Business and Economics from 2021 to 2022. He transferred to the HSE Graduate School of Business (HSE GSB) in 2022 and graduated in 2026. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Ravan talks about what it felt like to get a perfect score in his thesis defence, how the knowledge he gained at HSE helped him grow his listenership to half a million people, and why one should never stop learning.

Gabriele Marchini, from Italy, graduated from the ICEF Bachelor’s Programme in Economics and Finance. In his interview with the HSE News Service, he shares why he chose Moscow to pursue his education and why he looks forward to continuing his academic path at ICEF.

Huh Yun is from South Korea, lived in Kyrgyzstan, and has now moved to Moscow to study on the HSE University and Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme in Economics and Politics in Asia at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Yun talks about what makes HSE a forward-thinking university, how students can help each other settle into university life, and why it’s important to keep challenging yourself.

Zou Jiaxu moved to Moscow from Heihe, China, at a young age. Having finished high school in Moscow, she decided to enrol in the Bachelor’s in Media Communications at the Institute of Media of the HSE Faculty of Creative Industries. Now in her second year of studies, Zou talked to the HSE News Service about the opportunities for practical experience available to HSE students, her volunteering and extracurricular activities, why learning Russian is a never-ending process, and the importance of making friends wherever you go.

Akhtar Hussain, from Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, is a second-year student of the Master’s in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication at the HSE University School of Foreign Languages in Moscow. In this interview with the HSE News Service, he shares his experiences of seeing Russian history come to life, representing the university on stage and on the football field, volunteering, and more.

Benjamin Owusu Sarpong, from Kumasi, Ghana, is a final-year student of the Master's programme 'Politics. Economics. Philosophy' at HSE University–Moscow. Now in the final stage of his studies, Benjamin spoke to the HSE News Service to reflect on his experiences—including the various ways HSE brings different cultures together, the numerous opportunities for self-development outside the classroom, and the essential Russian phrases every international student needs to get by.

Alessandro Locatelli, from Florence, Italy, is a third-year student of the Bachelor's in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication at the HSE School of Foreign Languages. In his interview with the HSE News Service, he reflects on why it’s important to integrate a cultural dimension into language learning, what makes HSE lecturers special, and how curiosity motivated his decision to study in Russia.

Felicia Akpelike, from Ghana, is a first-year student of the Master's in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication at the HSE School of Foreign Languages. In her interview with the HSE News Service, she talks about why she enjoys Russian language and culture, the benefits of studying in an international environment, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone.

Aleksandra Wallace, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA, is a first-year student of the Bachelor’s programme ‘International Relations and Global Studies’ at HSE University. In her interview with the HSE News Service, Aleksandra spoke on her Russian roots, why she chose to study in Russia instead of the USA, how she balances two cultures and actively participates in student initiatives, and why it’s important to find friends who support you.

Lucas Akolzin, from Brazil, is a third-year student of the International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies.' In his interview with the HSE News Service, he spoke about why he decided to pursue education in international relations, what political leaders inspire him, and how his Russian background encouraged him to study in Moscow.