Prepare for a Degree in Russian at HSE
HSE’s Preparatory Year at the Faculty of Pre-University Training equips students who have little or no knowledge of Russian language with the necessary skills to enter Russian-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. Students begin by studying Russian language and then go on to study specific subjects in Russian-taught classes. They receive conditional acceptance to HSE full-degree programmes.
Zerozaki Laforet spoke to the HSE English News Service about his experience of the programme.
— I am from Indonesia, but my father works as a diplomat in the embassy. That means that with my family we travel to different countries and live there for four years and then go back home for three years. We have been to Mexico, Canada and now Russia. It seems that my father has only one year left here so, later on, I either have to stay here in a dorm until I finish my degree, or see if I can transfer my major when we go back to Indonesia. I decided to stay longer than planned so I can continue my Russian studies.
— What is your impression of the programme?
— They chose some good textbooks that correspond to the right level for the student to study, and the class doesn't get bored when the teacher tells us a story. But sometimes they like to repeat the same easy grammar a little bit too often so the pace becomes slow. Also the time management could have been worked on because the appointed time can't be changed but sometimes the teachers change it.
— Why did you decide to choose it?
— I was initially taking a break from my former university for a year, but then as time passed I really wanted to learn Russian in the long run.
— Did the course meet your expectations?
— Yes.
— What has been the most challenging thing in your studies?
— Knowing which words to use and what to talk about.
— What's next? If you stay in Moscow, which faculty would you like to study in?
— I am considering taking management in creative arts in a different university.
— How do you feel in the streets in Moscow after the Russian course?
— Not much different from the streets in other cities. But at least I can help my parents a bit since they know very little Russian.
See also:
‘Everyone Quickly Engaged in Conversations and Demonstrated Their Creative Thinking’
The online Russian Speaking Club opened only a month ago, but has seen a rapid growth in the number of participants. Every week, the club holds free online meetings where participants and a Russian language tutor discuss various topics related to the Russian language and culture. Below, the club leaders share their impressions and plans, which include going offline.
Russian Speaking Club: Practicing the Language and Meeting New Friends
For HSE Preparatory Year students, the Russian Speaking Club is a way to improve their language proficiency in a relaxed atmosphere. At this year’s first such event, they discussed online communications and social media. Michael Dzodzoe from Ghana and Leen Sabbagh from Syria shared their impressions with the HSE News Service.
‘My Prep Year Experience Has Been Phenomenal; I Would Repeat It All over Again if I Could’
The International Preparatory Year programme held its graduation ceremony in July. This academic year, 125 students from 50 countries were enrolled in the programme. They will continue their studies at Russian universities, most of them pursuing bachelor's and master's programmes at HSE University. The graduation was organised as a quest, where the students were able to demonstrate their achievements in learning the Russian language. Graduates from Ecuador, Syria, and Mexico shared their impressions with the HSE News Service, Deputy Director Polina Shanko talked about plans for the coming year, and mathematics teacher Vladimir Gordin gave his advice to future students.
‘Russia Is a Land of Openness and Possibility’
Lorenzo Trufolo graduated from Bologna University and is studying in the HSE International Preparatory Year ahead of his master’s studies in international trade at HSE University. In his interview, he talks about his studies in Russia, participation in academic conferences and competitions, and the challenges of living in Moscow.
‘Ecology Provides the Best Opportunities for Professional and Personal Development of Young People’
In early May, the HSE Institute of Ecology and the International Children's and Youth Award ‘Ecology is Everyone's Business’ held a joint seminar in Dagestan, where they discussed the launch of youth environmental projects for federal and international competitions. At the meeting, the Institute's experts presented methods of organising project activity in the field of ecology and sustainable development for educators and young people in Dagestan. Teachers and students from more than 50 schools, colleges and universities of the republic took part in the event.
HSE Prep Year Students Present Their Research Papers at International Conference in Tomsk
From April 25 to 27, a scientific student conference was held at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU). It was attended by international graduate students and postgraduate students from 57 countries, including four students from the HSE Preparatory Year programme. The HSE News Service talked to the conference organisers and participants about their impressions of the event.
‘The 4th International Economics Olympiad—My Journey’
Oghogho Joy Isibor came to HSE University after earning a scholarship from the Faculty of Economic Sciences for her performance in the International Economics Olympiad. She is one of several foreigners to apply via the same competition. Oghogho is currently studying on the HSE University Preparatory Year Programme before starting her Economics degree. Read on to find out about her experience of the Olympiad, adapting to life in Russia, and the challenges of learning Russian for her future studies.
‘We Will Be Glad to See Winners of the Olympiad among Our Prospective Students’
In early April, the final round of the engineering profile of the Moscow Pre-Professional Olympiad was held at HSE MIEM. Fifty teams (about 200 school students) from Moscow took part in the competition. As a result, 52 participants received awards.
HSE Students Support Phonetics Competition for Chinese Students
The Glinka State Conservatory in Nizhny Novgorod has held a phonetics competition in Russian as a foreign language for Chinese students of the preparatory department. The spectators, jury members, and support team of the competition included HSE University-Nizhny Novgorod students of the Bachelor’s in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Business Communication, Academic Supervisor of the programme Marianna Korenkova, and Chinese language teacher Elena Ammosova. The Chinese students opened the event with performances of famous solo works in Russian.
‘I Made a Lot of Friends and My Speaking Level Improved’
On December 23, students of the HSE Preparatory Year got together for a festive Russian speaking club. They expanded their vocabulary and cultural outlook by immersing themselves in Russian winter holiday traditions and even played the role of Ded Moroz—the Russian Santa.