Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
At the end of October, the Russian Culture Day festival was held in the HSE building on Pokrovsky Boulevard. The traditional holiday, organized by Directorate for Internationalization of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, is designed to help foreign and Russian students learn more about our country and its color, make new acquaintances and get a boost of emotions.
Today, almost 5,000 foreign students study at the HSE Moscow campus. To help them adapt to a new country, HSE offers them the opportunity to get to know multicultural Russia as part of the Russian Culture Day festival. On October 17, in the atrium on Pokrovka, participants had the opportunity to take part in master classes on assembling and painting a wooden hut, making a bast doll and wax candles, and also take lessons on playing the button accordion, balalaika, and wooden spoons. In addition, they could enjoy pies, bagels, and drinks in a Russian teahouse, play quizzes on Russian literature and music, cuisine, and geography, and guess the paintings and meanings of rare Russian words.
Foreign students studied each topic with interest and took souvenir photos wearing kokoshniks. Edna Jacob came to Russia from Tanzania as part of the HSE International Preparatory Year program (International Prep Year). “A teacher from HSE told us about today’s event, and we were all excited. I’ve already made a wooden hut and painted it,” she shared. “I’ve fallen madly in love with HSE, there are wonderful people and teachers here. I see that they teach us with a special passion for their work.”
Zhang Yifan came to HSE from China. “This is my second month at HSE, and I will be studying for a total of four months as part of an exchange program. I am studying sociology here as a postgraduate. HSE is different from my university. I was a little worried before coming to Moscow, but now I am very inspired, I like it here,” she said.
Other HSE students also shared their impressions of the festival.
Ilya Shevchenko, OP “Economics”, 1st year
— I can study history in lectures, or I can sit here and make dolls out of bast, immersing myself in the atmosphere. It’s great that HSE organizes such festivals. One of the best things about HSE is that there is constant life here, something is always happening, and every time you want to stop and participate.
Elena Hassan, MP “Pedagogical Education”, 2nd year
— I have already managed to make a candle from wax with my own hands, decorated it, I am thinking of using it in the interior of my home. A good and interesting event, everyone here is involved in the process of creating different products, very soulful.
Alina Asanalieva, OP “Economy”, 4th year
— It’s atmospheric and cozy, everyone here is cheerful, playing something. I took part in all the activities: guessing cities, famous people, books. HSE is distinguished by such events, every day is a holiday. They help you relax between classes, thanks to HSE for such an opportunity.
Taisiya Gavrishchuk, MP “Pedagogical education”, 1st year
— I played the accordion here. I can play the piano, but the accordion is completely different, you can’t even see the keys where to press. It was an unforgettable experience, I really liked it. I also tried to play the spoons and bells, it was also fun. The mood is positive, I like it here.
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