American Students Delve into Russian Language, Culture, and History
On February 1, a group of American students started their short-term on-campus study programme at HSE University. During three months, the students will take courses in post-Soviet Russian history, contemporary Russian domestic and foreign policy, social anthropology, and a practical course of Russian as a Foreign Language.
The programme is part of long-standing cooperation between HSE University and Middlebury College (USA). The classes help students expand their knowledge of Russia and improve their Russian language skills. Traditionally held in person, the programme had to be temporarily suspended due to COVID-related restrictions in 2020 and 2021.
In a welcome session with Ivan Prostakov, HSE Vice Rector for International Activities, and Oksana Chernenko, Director for Innovations in Education, students talked about themselves, their reasons for participating in the programme, and their expectations of their time in Russia. The group includes students of Russian history, culture and economics, as well as Russian language and literature, who are interested in Russian-American relations.
Ivan Prostakov, HSE University Vice Rector
‘I hope that during your stay and your courses you will understand that our peoples and our countries have much in common.’
During the meeting, held in Russian, the University representatives told the students about the history of HSE University and the specifics of the educational process. They encouraged students to dive deeper into contemporary Russian literature and also take every opportunity to explore the beauty of the Moscow underground and the amazing snowy Russian winter.
Nana Tsikhelashvili, Head of the Middlebury College Programme in Russia
We are very excited to have American students here in Russia! Despite ongoing difficulties, including the pandemic, political tensions, and bureaucratic hassle, they are in Moscow. They are very determined and smart young people, who are really interested in learning the Russian language and discovering contemporary Russian culture. They are eager to study and explore life in Moscow and hope to make good friends among their Russian peers!
Julia Powell, Williams College, USA
I decided to study abroad in Russia because I am a Russian and Economics double major. I started studying Russian four years ago in Moldova on a US State Department Program, and I sincerely enjoyed the language. My interest in Russian was peaked because of my love for Russian Literature. I wanted to study at HSE in Moscow because I could further explore both economics and Russian Language while exploring Russia’s beautiful capitol!
Ivan Prostakov
HSE University Vice Rector
Oksana Chernenko
Director for Innovations in Education
See also:
HSE University and Rossotrudnichestvo Agree to Train Specialists in Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language
HSE University and Rossotrudnichestvo have signed an agreement to establish a Russian Language Centre at HSE University in St Petersburg. It will train teachers of Russian studies and future leaders of educational programmes and courses of Russian as a foreign language. The document was signed by HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Yevgeny Primakov at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Applications Open for 2022 Full-Tuition Doctoral Scholarships
International students interested in joining HSE University can apply for full-tuition scholarships from the Russian government. Applications for the 2022/23 academic year are open from March 1–11. We spoke to HSE University doctoral students about their work and about how scholarships have helped them pursue their research goals.
Applications Open for HSE University Intensive Summer Language School 2022
This summer, the HSE University Russian Language Centre will offer intermediate and advanced Russian-language students an opportunity to learn and practice their skills while immersing themselves in Moscow life.
'I Fell in Love with HSE University at First Sight'
HSE University offers a wide range of online and in-person preparatory programmes for international students, including various Russian language courses for future Bachelor’s and Master’s students, intensive Maths training in Russian, and an English-taught course in Economics. Students come from all over the world, drawn to HSE by the strength of its international reputation and education quality. Several students of this year’s cohort have shared their impressions of the Prep Year programme.
Let's Learn to Speak Russian
A growing number of HSE University’s international students are actively learning Russian, even if their degree programme is taught entirely in English. To help them build fluency, the HSE University Preparatory Programme launched a Russian Speaking Club for its students in March 2021. Now, all HSE University's students, regardless of the programme they are in, can take part in the meetings.
Faculty of Social Sciences Launches New Joint Seminar Series with New York University
In November 2021, HSE University’s School of Politics and Governance and the Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia (New York University) started a new partnership project that involves regular joint online seminars. Denis Stukal, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Deputy Director of the Institute for Applied Political Studies, has commented on the initiative.
'It Was Nice to Experience the Charms of Student Life in Russia'
Ljiljana Filipović, from Croatia, is currenttly studying in the Master in International Management programme at the HSE Graduate School of Business. This year she was also helping international students with Russian language in 'Russian speaking club' organized by International Prep Year programme. In her interview, Ljiljana Filipović shares her experience of the Prep Year programme and offers some useful tips for international students.
‘I Feel at Ease in Russian Class’
Since September of this academic year, the HSE International Prep Year (IPY) programme has offered a supplemental Russian language course for international students studying at HSE. It is designed for students who have successfully graduated from the preparatory programme and are now studying in undergraduate or graduate programmes at HSE on Russian government scholarships. The HSE News Service spoke with students about the course and learned how it is helping them in their studies at HSE.
‘Every Word and Grammatical Construction That I Learned in the Preparatory Year Is Very Useful for Me’
Though born in Ukraine, Roksana Ramirez has lived all her life in Bolivia. A native Spanish speaker, Roksana came to Russia with no knowledge of Russian. She is currently studying at the Graduate School of Business in a Russian-taught Master’s programme in HR Analytics. In an interview with HSE News Service, Roksana describes how HSE’s Prep Year programme helped her become proficient in Russian and how she is now mentoring current prep year students to help them adjust to university life.
From Criminal Law in Texas to Russian Studies in Moscow
After practicing criminal law for 30 years, Rife Kimler of Texas, USA was in need of a break and a change of scenery. Long interested in Russia, the lawyer researched Russian programmes online and opted for HSE University’s Master’s Programme in Russian Studies. In an interview with HSE News Service, Rife discussed what he likes about Moscow and why he has not regretted his decision to study Russian politics and culture at HSE.