News

A group of 20 undergraduates from the United States visited St. Petersburg, 'the northern Venice', this January, taking part in a programme that blended the history, society and culture of the Russian Empire’s capital. Participants arrived from Mount Holyoke College and Smith College, opting to spend two weeks of their winter holidays here (6 – 22 January) learning about this city. Participants were diverse in their fields of studies, Russian knowledge, and travel experience, some even choosing this trip as their first chance to travel outside the borders of the United States.

After completing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering in his native Delhi, India, Shashank Pant began searching for a Master’s programme that would provide a balance between management and science. HSE’s Governance in STI programme turned out to be what he was looking for as he prepares for an eventual career in innovation at a multinational corporation.

In December 2016, an orchestra was formed at HSE whose musicians include both lecturers and students – and not only from HSE. The artists, who are mastering a broad repertoire from classical operas to film soundtracks, are preparing to play at non-university venues and are inviting new participants to join them.

On January 27, 2017, the HSE Academic Council approved a document regulating support for HSE student organizations at its Moscow campus.

Sberbank of Russia has donated books on leadership skills and effective business planning to HSE as part of Students’ Day. The following global bestsellers were included in Sberbank’s first set, which consists of 70 items: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Family Wealth by James E. Hughes, and many others.

Over 150 HSE students and staff participated in the latest Donor Day at HSE, giving blood that will help save 483 people’s lives. This initiative was organized by the HSE Armenian Club in conjunction with the Blood Transfusion Centre at the Moscow Healthcare Department.

Anza Thasneem and Shipra Singh are exchange students from Indian Institute of Management Raipur, a partner university of HSE-Nizhny Novgorod. International Students’ Club Leader Zhanna Shabanova has talked to Anza and Shipra about their impression of Russia, Nizhny Novgorod, and HSE.

Participation in student organizations is an important part of life at HSE. There are about 80 different communities engaged in almost all kinds of activities, from dancing to parliamentary debates. People can also try to do their part and join a charity.

On January 18 at VDNKH, the winter weather failed to stop people from coming out to celebrate the Epiphany with a plunge into icy waters. While traditionally considered a religious event to celebrate the baptism of Jesus, nowadays it has become a famous tradition when people all over Russia go out and immerse themselves in icy waters.

HSE’s Preparatory Year trains international students with little or no knowledge of Russian before they begin Russian-taught full-degree programs. Over 10 months of intensive study, students improve their language skills (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), study in a chosen academic field (humanities, economics, or engineering), and adapt to the new educational environment. Upon completing the Preparatory Year, students are expected to possess intermediate-level Russian language skills and be ready to enter Russian-taught full-degree programmes at HSE and other Russian universities.