![‘It’s a Very Small Area of Political Science, and Working to Redress That Is Very Satisfying’ Illustration for news: ‘It’s a Very Small Area of Political Science, and Working to Redress That Is Very Satisfying’](/data/2023/03/17/2036776798/steve-harvey-fZAyIk-51Es-unsplash.jpg)
‘It’s a Very Small Area of Political Science, and Working to Redress That Is Very Satisfying’
On March 15, Judas Everett defended his doctoral dissertation ‘The Effect of the Patterns in the Dissolution of Communism on the Transition to New Systems in Eastern Europe’, which investigates the relationship between the demise of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe and the quality of democracy in the post-communist regime. The defence took place remotely. His academic supervisor was Professor Andrey Akhremenko of the HSE University School of Politics and Governance at the Faculty of Social Sciences. In his interview, Judas talks about the topic of his research and explains why political science is more important than ever.
![K-pop, Chinese Calligraphy, Indian Cuisine and Azerbaijani Songs: All of Asia Visits HSE University Illustration for news: K-pop, Chinese Calligraphy, Indian Cuisine and Azerbaijani Songs: All of Asia Visits HSE University](/data/2023/03/09/2034489355/bg5VoIms0l0%20(1).jpg)
K-pop, Chinese Calligraphy, Indian Cuisine and Azerbaijani Songs: All of Asia Visits HSE University
In February 2023, the HSE University Cultural Centre hosted the festival ‘Colour of Asia: From Riyadh to Tokyo’ coordinated by the university’s Korean Club. A total of 24 student organisations took part in arranging the festival, including national, environmental, and charity clubs.
![Maslenitsa: HSE International Students Celebrate Russian Traditions Illustration for news: Maslenitsa: HSE International Students Celebrate Russian Traditions](/data/2023/02/27/2032820638/48460.jpeg)
Maslenitsa: HSE International Students Celebrate Russian Traditions
On February 22, the HSE University Faculty of Humanities held a Maslenitsa celebration at the building on Staraya Basmannaya. At the event, which was aimed at helping international students settle in, students learned about the meaning of Maslenitsa (or Pancake Week), enjoyed festive games and attractions, and feasted on pancakes with condensed milk. HSE students from various diasporas also showcased their own traditions for seeing off winter and offered a taste of their national dishes.
![‘My PhD Taught Me about Life, Professionalism, Research, and Controlling My Emotions’ Illustration for news: ‘My PhD Taught Me about Life, Professionalism, Research, and Controlling My Emotions’](/data/2023/02/20/2033325411/Wai%20Yan%20Phyo%20Naing_cropped.jpg)
‘My PhD Taught Me about Life, Professionalism, Research, and Controlling My Emotions’
Wai Yan Phyo Naing first came to HSE University from Myanmar to enrol in a master’s programme at the Faculty of World Economy and World Affairs in 2015. After graduation, he decided to pursue a PhD at the Doctoral School of International and Regional Studies. On February 16, 2023, he successfully defended his dissertation on ‘Evolution of Myanmar’s Policy Towards China (1988–2020)’.
![‘Working in Academia Is My Lifelong Desire’ Illustration for news: ‘Working in Academia Is My Lifelong Desire’](/data/2023/02/08/2045512066/Majid%20Sohrabi_1.jpg)
‘Working in Academia Is My Lifelong Desire’
Majid Sohrabi is a 28 year-old student from Iran currently enrolled in a doctoral programme at the HSE University Faculty of Computer Science. Before starting his PhD, he graduated with honours from the university’s Master of Data Science programme. In addition to studying, he also works as an assistant at the School of Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence and a research assistant at the Laboratory for Models and Methods of Computational Pragmatics.
![‘HSE Has Made Me Confident and Brave’ Illustration for news: ‘HSE Has Made Me Confident and Brave’](/data/2023/02/06/2044854635/HSE-11401_Preview.jpeg)
‘HSE Has Made Me Confident and Brave’
Enrolment in undergraduate programmes is underway. International recipients of the Russian Government Scholarship can study at HSE University for free and get a place at an HSE dorm. Senanu Dekpo-Adza from Ghana and Hamisha Rijal from Nepal study at HSE University as part of the scholarship programme. They shared their experiences of admission and studies at HSE University with the HSE News Service.
![Wushu, Tekken and Fortune-telling by the Book of Changes: Lunar New Year Celebrated at HSE University Illustration for news: Wushu, Tekken and Fortune-telling by the Book of Changes: Lunar New Year Celebrated at HSE University](/data/2023/01/24/2044538705/112_2023-01-22_15-34-32_DP.jpg)
Wushu, Tekken and Fortune-telling by the Book of Changes: Lunar New Year Celebrated at HSE University
This New Year, according to the Asian calendar, arrived on January 22nd. On this day, HSE Cultural Centre brought together Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cultures. To the sounds of Asian songs and Korean drums, the guests tried their hand at calligraphy, studied jianzhi and origami, played Ttakji and Go, ate traditional cookies and expelled evil spirits. The Lunar New Year at the university was organized by the School of Asian Studies and the HSE Chinese Club.
![‘I Learned How to Cheer Myself up, Find Motivation, and Work Hard’ Illustration for news: ‘I Learned How to Cheer Myself up, Find Motivation, and Work Hard’](/data/2023/01/12/2042101230/20180709_5888.jpg)
‘I Learned How to Cheer Myself up, Find Motivation, and Work Hard’
How to cope with the new culture? What activities and events does HSE University offer its international students? How to deal with rules and paperwork? Students from different countries and educational programmes at HSE University-St Petersburg shared their memories about life at the university in 2022.
![HSE University-St Petersburg International Activity Results for 2022 Illustration for news: HSE University-St Petersburg International Activity Results for 2022](/data/2022/12/30/1718123618/%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B8%20%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BB%D1%8D%D1%88.jpg)
HSE University-St Petersburg International Activity Results for 2022
HSE University strives to be part of the international academic community, follow world educational standards, and provide students with ample opportunities. Students of HSE University-St Petersburg have well-developed cross-cultural communication skills thanks to international educational programmes, participation in international academic mobility and double-degree programmes, and daily interaction with students from all over the world. The International Office reports on the results of international activity in 2022.
![‘I Made a Lot of Friends and My Speaking Level Improved’ Illustration for news: ‘I Made a Lot of Friends and My Speaking Level Improved’](/data/2022/12/30/1718112234/IMG_5655.jpg)
‘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.