Pandemic 2020-2021, international education and new growth opportunities
Even while entering the university, I paid attention to the possibilities of student mobility which different institutions provide. HSE was one of the TOP-universities at this field, and that is why I ended up studying here. From the very beginning of my studies, I wanted to participate in academic mobility program - I was thinking of taking this opportunity during my second year of bachelor, but in the end for some reason I put it off. However, when I already took this chance, everything went completely differently from what I have expected.
2020 year. Spring. The filing of the documents for international mobility programme and at the same time the beginning of the pandemic.
I applied for international exchange programs both at the Higher School of Economics and at my faculty of the Graduate School of Business in order to increase my chances. The results came in after a month - I was able to study in both universities of the first priority. There was no end to the joy! As well as nerves, because I missed the first letter of admission, and then frantically called everyone in the study office. After everything was sorted, I asked the center of international mobility to contact me with the student with whom we were going on mobility. We met several times in Moscow, and then went on a trip together.
My dream has always been to return to Paris after a trip with a friend in 2019, and study at a business school, which I aspired to and reached.
However, as I said during the COVID-19 period, not everything was so rosy. Some universities were closed, and I did not want to come to another country and study online. Hoping for the best, we with another student, moved our mobility from autumn to spring 2021. We arrived in France in February, and then stayed here until June-July.
Life in France, in many ways, took place in a student dormitory or at the university, which, fortunately, was open. We did not have an academic group, so every day we got to know new people. The educational system here is excellent and, in some aspects, similar to the Higher School of Economics - a lot of practice and theory, supported by examples. Studying in an international environment was amazing and interesting.
I made friends, I got to know myself better. I would really like to say "thank you" to all those people who surrounded me on mobility. With some of them, we became almost a family. During the quarantine period, many things were quite difficult, but we overcame them together.
I am from Moscow - I was born, grew up and studied here, unlike many students who come to enroll in HSE from other cities, so the experience of living in another unfamiliar city and country was completely new for me. I became even more independent and courageous. It seems to me that it was a very useful journey for the development of me as a person for the understanding that I can take care of myself at the highest level and be happy everywhere.
Paris was beautiful. I have never walked so much in the parks! All the cafes and museums were closed so it was the only option to have a good time for us. It is now the beginning of June 2021, and the city is gradually coming into life and opening up. We are starting to go to cultural places, restaurants, to feel the real rhythm of the city. It is very beautiful here - the architecture in Paris spans several centuries, it contains the Gothic style, Art Deco, Modernism and many others. Just walking down the street, you are already visiting exhibitions and monuments!
Thanks a lot, the team of student mobility office, HSE, my friends and parents and myself who made this dream come true!