Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
Photo: freepic.com
21 countries and 52 universities open their doors every semester to HSE students participating in the international academic mobility program. In the fall semester of this year, Sofia Malyukova, a third-year student of the bachelor’s program, went to study at the Ca’Foscari State University (Venice, Italy) under the academic mobility program.Foreign languages and intercultural communication» Foreign language schools National Research University Higher School of Economics.
Her training in Ca’Foscari, whose rich history spans over 150 years, will last for two modules: from September 2024 to February 2025.
Why Italy and the University of Venice
— I have dreamed of studying in Italy since the 10th grade, and today, thanks to the HSE School of Foreign Languages, my dream has come true. I chose the Ca’Foscari University of Venice thanks to the positive feedback from students of our educational program who had already studied in Venice and were absolutely delighted with this university. In addition, the process of creating a curriculum turned out to be quite easy, since Ca’Foscari offers an extensive list of subjects for international students.
Studying at the HSE School of Foreign Languages
— I studied Italian from the age of 14 with a teacher, outside the school curriculum, because I was always attracted by the culture and history of Italy, and language is the key to understanding the soul of the country. Now my level of Italian is C1-C2, which allows me not only to communicate freely at the university, but also to feel confident outside of it.
Having entered the first year of the bachelor’s degree program at the School of Foreign Languages (SFL) of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, I decided to choose French as my second foreign language because I wanted to learn another language from scratch. And I continue to intensively develop my Italian skills thanks to the variety of extracurricular activities of the HSE School of Foreign Languages related to Italian: I take part in annual International scientific and practical conference for students and postgraduates “Lingua e cultura italiana: soft power in the XXI century”, and also help with the preparation of events for the Italian Club of the HSE University School of Economics.
Educational program at the University of Venice
— The program for this semester is intense. I will study English and French, the theory of the first foreign language, the theory of teaching a foreign language, intercultural communication. Mobility at Ca’Foscari University will certainly bring me new unique experience for my future career. This university is one of the strongest in the field of linguistics. Here I will be able to expand my knowledge in a unique intercultural academic environment and learn how cultural differences affect corporate interaction, which is especially important for my specialization “Intercultural Corporate Communication”, which I will begin studying this academic year.
Life in a city of contrasts
— Venice certainly made a strong impression on me right away. It is a city that seems like a fairy tale and almost unreal, especially when you see it for the first time. Walking along narrow streets, crossing numerous bridges, you understand that every corner here breathes history. Venice is a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is a tourist center, which is felt most strongly in the city center. But once you turn aside, go deeper into lesser-known neighborhoods, you find yourself in quiet, almost deserted places, where it seems that time has stopped.
Of course, at first we had to get used to the absence of familiar streets, avenues and cars. Instead, locals travel by water trams (vaporetto), which is very convenient and fast.
As for the climate, there is very high humidity, which is especially noticeable during the rainy season (usually late October and February). On rainy days, the streets can be slightly flooded, a phenomenon called “high water” (aqua alta), and then you have to go around the streets next to the canals. So living on the water is not only romantic, but also difficult. On the other hand, it has its charm: Venice is surrounded by water, and you always feel it.
When I was choosing a place to live, I wanted to live not in Venice itself, but on the mainland, where there are more amenities for living. That’s why I found an apartment in the small town of Mestre, 15 minutes from Venice. These cities are connected by regular buses and trains, so there are no problems with transportation.
And for students in Venice, there is a special transport card that allows you to move around Venice and the nearby cities (Mestre and Marghera) by bus, tram and vaporetto. Some campuses of Ca’Foscari University are located near vaporetto stops, so students also actively use this transport. However, in Italy there are often strikes during which employees of the transport industry do not work, so you have to plan your routes in advance.
Ca’Foscari is like home
— Studying at the University of Venice is an unforgettable experience due to the intercultural exchange, as students from all over the world study here. Among my friends there are not only Italians, but also guys from Japan, Korea, Turkey, America, Great Britain, Russia.
All foreign students are treated very kindly, including by teachers who value foreign students very much and are always ready to help. All Italians are very hospitable and open, so I immediately felt at home among them.
At the university, classes usually start early in the morning, but some subjects can be held in the evening, depending on the course. The class lasts for an hour and a half, which is universal for all Italian universities. In addition to classes at the Italian university, I take some compulsory subjects of my educational program at the National Research University Higher School of Economics online.
Overall, my workload here is distributed very conveniently, thanks to which I have time to devote to additional education, my hobbies and travel around Italy. For example, I have already managed to visit seven cities: Rome, Milan, Florence, Verona, Peschiera del Garda, Padua and Treviso.
As for the canteen, the university has one, but not all campuses. For example, some campuses are just classrooms in historical buildings, where there is no canteen. Moreover, breaks between classes last only 15 minutes, so it is best to take a snack from home to avoid standing in line at the canteen. I cook at home most often, but I also like to try different dishes of Italian cuisine. Sometimes we get together with foreign friends at Italians, cook pasta together and chat, exchanging impressions and telling each other about our cultures.
Studying here is a unique cultural experience that I will definitely not forget. Venice teaches you not to rush, to enjoy the moment and the beauty around you. There is a special magic in Venice that cannot be explained in words, but can only be felt by seeing the city with your own eyes.
Advice for those who want to take part in academic mobility
— First of all, it was necessary to draw up an individual curriculum and coordinate it with the educational office. I chose the subjects that I would study in Italy and transfer upon my return. Therefore, it is very important that the content of the curriculum corresponds to the subjects studied at that time in our educational program at the School of Foreign Languages of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.
The motivation letter was also an important document, as it was where I could explain how the opportunity to participate in the mobility program was connected with my academic and career goals and why my candidacy should be selected. The motivation letter is the only opportunity to “talk” to the admission committee, so it is very important to talk about your experience, personal qualities and plans for the future. Do not be afraid to fully disclose your achievements and show your desire for new heights!
In addition to the motivation letter, letters of recommendation from teachers play a significant role. In my experience, it is important that they reflect various aspects of your activities. For example, I attached recommendations that covered not only my academic successes, but also extracurricular achievements (active participation in the life of the HSE School of Foreign Languages and the HSE School of Foreign Languages Italian Club, experience of volunteering at Olympiads and working as a teaching assistant).
My main advice is to start preparing for the competition in advance and carefully work through each document. Approach this process as responsibly as possible and keep in mind that the commission pays attention not only to your academic achievements, but also to how you show yourself outside of your studies. Show your activity and interests, tell how the academic mobility program is connected with your plans for the future, and then your chances of successfully passing the selection will increase significantly.
And of course, don’t be afraid of anything. Follow your dream, dare and be sure that getting the coveted letter that you have passed the competitive selection for the academic mobility program is quite possible. Good luck!
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