Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
In early May, official delegations from all over the world arrived in the Russian capital for the Victory Day celebrations. Volunteers were brought in to meet and accompany the distinguished guests, including students from the OP “Oriental Studies” Faculty of World Economy and World Politics (FMEiMP) HSE Natalia Kulakova (3rd year) and Polina Slobodenko (1st year), as well as Anton Klyuev, a 2024 graduate of the same program, visiting lecturer Schools of Oriental Studies HSE.
Volunteers acted as translators and assistants, ensuring the high-ranking guests had a comfortable stay in the capital.
Natalia Kulakova and Polina Slobodenko worked with the delegation from the People’s Republic of China, and Anton Klyuev joined in accompanying the Palestinian delegation. The HSE students not only provided language support, but also participated in a volunteer program, collaborating with liaison officers of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“The HSE motto “Not for school, but for life” is not just words. It is our approach to relations with the world. The opportunity, as a student, to apply your knowledge, to feel professional life, to see how history is made, from the inside, and not in the news feed – this is not just interesting. Such moments allow you to better understand yourself, what you want to do, what inspires you,” commented Anastasia Likhacheva, Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Relations at HSE.
She also added that it is necessary to try professional life as early as possible and that HSE provides such opportunities. At the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics, this is considered one of the priority tasks.
“I learned about volunteering from friends, participation in such an event is professional experience for me, so I was happy to join the volunteer corps. I attended a planning meeting, passed an interview – and I was sent to accompany the delegation of the PRC,” shared Natalia Kulakova.
The student also said that she had to help representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompany delegations, mainly at the hotel. “I was pleased with the opportunity to feel the kitchen from the inside. This is an invaluable experience of working with foreign delegations,” she believes.
Before participating in the volunteer project, Polina and Natalia were not acquainted. “We had no problems with work communication. Together with representatives of the embassy in Moscow, we followed the Victory Parade ceremony, we told foreign guests in detail what was happening on the screen,” shared Polina Slobodenko.
Polina has been studying Chinese for a long time and says that she was interested in observing the processes that took place inside the delegations. “What was the process of preparing the motorcades and the reaction of foreign students who were waiting for their country’s delegation to leave on the street worth,” Polina explained.
She is confident that such events can help students, especially juniors, to get in touch with the region they are studying during their studies at the university and gain excellent experience in intercultural communication at a high level. “In addition to achieving professional goals, participation in such events allows us to make a small contribution to the celebration of such an important memorable date for our country,” the student added.
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