In October 2015, thanks to the HSE mobility programme I went to University of Lancaster in England for 2,5 months. I had a dream of studying abroad and that was my 2^nd attempt to do that. I had been told that I had to undertake several simple steps to reach my goal: pass IELTS or TOEFL (I prepared by myself and passed both successfully), write a good motivation letter, collect other documents – and you’re half way to your dream country. I was so happy when I received a message that I was nominated. 

It was easy to apply. University of Lancaster was in contact with HSE Office for International student programmes. Whether you aretravelling as an exchange student or a part of the Double Degree Programme, HSE has multiple exchange agreements, so you can choose from a variety of Universities in the UK. My programme ‘Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation’ also has its own faculty-specific arrangements, for example with universities in Seoul (South Korea) and Bremen (Germany), so do not worry, if the university you want to go to is not on the main partner list, there is a chance to go through your faculty. 

I chose the UK guided by my long-term affection for the English upper-class and Harry Potter and the fact that Lancaster is ranked among  top 10 English universities and has a very strong school of management. My course was called ‘Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Practice’ and some of the subjects were similar to those we had in our Master’s programme in HSE. 

HSE subjects that helped me to fit in well in the educational process in Lancaster were those from ‘Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation’ programme. For example ‘Economics of Innovation’ (created and taught by Dirk Meissner, Ian Miles and Vitaliy Roud) introduced us to the foundations, history of development and systemic approach to the concept of Innovation. HSE lectures on the development of the phenomenon on national, regional and local levels had some shared content with the first lectures on practical Innovation in Lancaster.

Practical knowledge on the management of technological resources generated by the studies into clusters, technopoles and the modes of interaction between universities and industry is vital for global and national governance. Those studies helped me in Lancaster during the discussions of international policies in the sphere of science and technology.

Also lectures from the ‘Foresight’ subject in HSE were very memorable. It is a new direction in governance and business that helps to indentify different models of future development. Ozcan Satitas, our professor and a researcher, told us about key roles and functions of the foresight and strategic planning as well as potential scenarios of technological development.

The method of road-mapping in dealing with the transition from Foresights to actual decision-making was helpful for my business project at the seminar on creating new business enterprise in Lancaster.

‘Measurement of STI’ subject became for me a practical guide on using various statistical data in the sphere of technology and information society. In my writing tasks I used various methods of analyzing and interpreting the results and even now it helps me to write my master’s thesis on the Strategies of Intellectual Property Protection in Pharmacy.

Naturally at the beginning I was stressed among the new people, but friendly and active professors and group mates helped me to get used to Lancaster and feel at home. I moved to the main campus, so-called University town, where most of the students live. Shops, cafes and a sports center are in a walking distance. As expected, the weather was not always warm and sunny but delicious doughnuts (really the best!) and coffee kept my mood and energy afloat.

And the library! It was the first time ever when I saw no spare seats. The library of Lancaster abounds both in e-materials and traditional paper editions, and one can find literature on any subject. Students spend there almost all their time, it’s possible to have a snack there, some rest or even take a nap (there are comfy sofas on every floor). It’s open 24/7 and honestly, the library was my favorite place.

In regards to a daily life, after a week in England I realized that home food tastes better, and almost all the students went home for lunch and dinner. Cooking at home also significantly saves money and, considering the exchange rate, you simply can’t afford to have dinner in a café every day. The prices start from 200 rubles for a coffee and 300 for a sandwich. Yet, a proper lunch would cost you around 500-600 rubles. We did our weekly shopping in a big supermarket in the city, same 600 rubles would buy half a kilo of chicken and vegetables.

England is not a country to all tastes, moreover, Lancaster is a port city in the north, where it’s always rainy and humid. Yet, despite all that I have only bright memories of the trip, studies and the people I met. I would gladly come back there one day. I am very grateful to the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge and the exchange programme for such an opportunity. 

England does not welcome everyone, but I found an approach and fell in love with it.