Drawn by Russian Language and Culture, German Student Enrols at HSE

Having fallen in love with Moscow and the Russian culture during an exchange programme three years ago at HSE, Alis Maria Endres, a native of Germany, decided that she wanted to return to the university to complete a Master’s degree in management. In order to be able to study in Russian, Alis Maria first enrolled in HSE's International Preparatory Year programme.

‘When I had the option to return to Russia for my Master’s, I took it’, the 26-year old says with excitement. ‘About HSE, I love the international environment – the diversity, the cultural exchange, Russians and foreigners studying together. And the fact that it is one of the best universities in the country, naturally’.

Earlier in her educational career, Alis planned to study linguistics, which she says is still her true passion, but since good jobs for linguists are difficult to find in Germany, she chose management instead. It’s a career in which language skills are a big plus.

‘I ended up in management more or less by accident, but I ended up liking it more than I had initially expected’, she says. ‘At my previous job, I had close contact with the company executives, so I had the chance to gain direct insight into the management of a medium-sized international company. I found it to be a complex and rather challenging field of work, but very interesting for exactly these reasons’.

This year Alis studied in the HSE Preparatory Year programme, having previously completed training as a multilingual secretary (English and French) and a Bachelor’s degree in international business with special focus on the BRIC countries. Apart from Russian language, she was taking courses in history, mathematics, social studies and contemporary history of Russia – all in Russian.

‘All subjects are interesting and definitely manageable, but mathematics is difficult for me, as the topics we deal with here are completely different from what I am used to from school’, she says of her experience. ‘But since all the students in my group help and support each other, I am certain that I will pass this exam as well. And the Preparatory Year office is really helpful with all kinds of problems that we, the students, can’t solve by ourselves’.

As she prepares to begin the programme in management, Alis is making sure to take time to pursue her interests outside her studies. One of her biggest hobbies is historical dancing, which she started the first time she was in Moscow.

‘The name of the group is Trianon. We practice every week, and there is a ball or dance every few months, or we go to balls in other Russian cities, like Kaluga, Ryazan, or Saratov’, she says. ‘And since everyone is Russian, it has really helped to improve my language skills’.

While some things about Russia still puzzle her sometimes, Alis says that learning to accept differences instead of questioning them and asking Russian friends for help if she is really at a loss have been crucial to adapting. ‘Russia is not the first “new” country I have lived in’, she says, mentioning her previous experience studying and working in Ireland and France. ‘But living in Russia is by far the most challenging. It is something you absolutely have to experience for yourself’, she says. ‘Get to know the country, meet new people. You will be amazed how much Russia, or even just Moscow, has to offer’.

Applications for Preparatory Year programme are open until August 31, 2018. Apply online.

Anna Chernyakhovskaya, specially for HSE News service