Erwin Hettich
University of Tübingen, Germany
-- Higher School of Economics, Moscow --
As an exchange student I was privileged to spend 6 months at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. My impressions of the university, Moscow and Russia are described in the following.
University:
With over 9000 students the Higher School of Economics is a relatively small school in the Russian academic landscape offering, however, a large variety of disciplines and concentrations. Among those you will find economics, management, politics, philosophy and a language department. Most upper level classes are small and personal with good possibilities of participation. I experienced interesting lectures with most of them being up-to-date and on a solid theoretical basis. Professors and Assistants are open-minded and never shy a chat with exchange students. SomeProfessors have also taught in western countries therefore being familiar with our education systems. I found it very helpful to get their slides and presentations to review the material that was discussed during the “pary”(a 2 hour lesson). Lectures at the economics faculty are hold in an ex-military school building close to the centre of the city. The management faculty is hosted in a new building with a good library and lecture rooms, a nice food court (which sometimes seems more like an afternoon discotheque) with good meals. In some of the buildings internet access and printing availability are limited.
Most of the students are young starting to study when they are seventeen years old. Don’t get confused if you experience “catch me if you can” games in dormitories and disinterest in lectures—guess there are things more important than studying while you are sweet seventeen. This might also have been one reason I found it hard to make real contacts going beyond a quick chat in the break.
A very good job is done by the office for exchange students headed by Elena Golubinskaya and assisted by Xenia. Whenever a problem occurs be sure they will sort it out for you. Thanks a lot.
Moscow:
The first thing I was experiencing in Moscow after Vnukovo airport was the gigantic metro system which is truly impressive. Unlike European Metro systems the Moscow Metro is faster, larger, more hectic and has lots of very beautiful stations containing marmot, paintings, sculptures, mosaic and interesting lamps. Even though it transports nearly 10 million passengers a day it gets crowded at rush hour. Another positive impression to mention is the “cultural entertainment” you can experience in Moscow. Uncountable theatres, orchestras, operas and operettas offer fantastic possibilities to spend an evening on cold winter days. We enjoyed every single of the numerous performances we have seen. Tickets are relatively cheap if you buy them in advance. Don’t miss the Tretjakowskays Gallery either as ithas some of the ground breaking works of the 1920´s AvantGarde. An outstanding event during my stay was the New Years Eve on the red square with lots of music performances, military, Vodka and of course King Putin.
Weather can get grey and nasty here, turning the streets into muddy and slippery challenges during winter.
People:
People in Moscow are often rough not giving you much to smile during the day. Pushing, squeezing into the metro and arguing happens when it gets hectic. Don’t expect to be well treated when you buy something – but rather to be thankful that it has been sold to you. Unless you pay for it additionally there is no service in Russia. But take it easy – this will only make you tougher. Getting out of the city and meeting rural people released some of my frustrations.
Dormitory:
I lived in the “Professorskaya Gostinitsa” which is a dormitory especially for exchange students and other visitors of the university. You have your own bathroom, fridge but unfortunately no oven and microwave in the kitchen. Internet was sometimes available depending on the directors will.
I couldn’t get used to the weekly unannounced visits of director, co-director , engineer etc. It seems that Russian students got used to it but I consider it as a big minus touching my privacy.
Russia:
I have travelled to some of the villages along the Golden Ring. If you are interested in Churches and Monasteries the Golden Ring has to offer you a lot. You will find ancient buildings and lots of history around those places. Travelling to St. Petersburg is a must. There is so much to see you can easily spend three days without having seen all of this city. Unlike Moscow St.Petersburg seems to be more European in terms of architecture and its flair. Travelling in Russia is comparably cheap, so don’t miss out to travel and get a glimpse of how the rest of 130 million Russians out of Moscow live.
All in all the time in Russia and Moscow was a great experience which gave me a good impression of culture and life in the east. Leaving the Soviet Unionas a child more than 18 years ago and to coming back to see how it changed was a great opportunity for which I am very thankful.