‘A Semester at HSE Will Widen Your Perception’

© iStock

Gordey Morozov, student of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), came to HSE for an exchange semester as part of the incoming international student mobility programme. Studying on the International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies,' he shared why he decided to come to Moscow and spoke on the differences between education processes in Russia and Germany, how studying at HSE University changed his perspective, and why it’s important to be outgoing among your teachers and classmates.

Gordey Morozov

— Why did you choose HSE Moscow as an exchange university?  

— HSE is regarded as Russia's leading university. It is particularly strong in economics and international relations, so academically it was an obvious fit.

I was also curious to experience how the Russian higher education system differs from the German one

Beyond that, I'd been drawn to Moscow as a city for a long time; its scale, architecture, and energy make it unique, and I wanted the chance to actually live there rather than just visit as a tourist.

— Which courses did you like most and why?

— Of all the courses I took at HSE, two stood out in particular: ‘Energy Policy’ and ‘Communication and Negotiation Skills.’ Energy Policy gave me an insight into how the resource dependency of various countries shapes their foreign policy, and how energy has become such a strategic tool. Communication and Negotiation Skills was valuable in a different way, more relevant to everyday life. It highlighted the ‘go-tos and no-gos’ when negotiating or communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds and their interpretation of the phrases used, which is something I am sure is useful in the modern global world.

— Have you noticed any differences in the teaching processes at HSE and TUM?

— The overall academic teaching style at HSE felt fairly similar to TUM, but with a noticeably stronger emphasis on case studies, which I found to be a real advantage. It pushed us to apply and understand concepts rather than just memorise them. Where the two universities diverge more is in grading and participation. HSE places much more weight on in-class participation and consistent engagement throughout the semester, whereas TUM is far more exam-centric, with the final exam typically carrying most of the weight.

I personally appreciated the HSE model more, since it rewards sustained effort rather than a single high-stakes exam

— Has anything surprised you about everyday life in Moscow?

— I wouldn't describe my time in Moscow as surprising or particularly adventurous, since my family is originally from Russia and I'd already visited the city many times before. That said, one thing that did stand out is the quality and accessibility of everyday goods and services. Furthermore, the scale and the size of the city are impressive. Things that can be a hurdle and or pain in Munich (groceries, deliveries, public transport, dining options) are more convenient in Moscow. For instance, you can order or buy anything at two in the morning and nothing is going to stop you from doing so.

— Has studying at HSE made any impact on your perspectives on the future?

— My time here has definitely shaped how I think about my future. It got me thinking more concretely about which fields I see my potential in, and whether to pursue a master's degree in these directions. My perception also changed; how I read global events now is different. I find myself approaching certain geopolitical developments from a different angle than I would have before this exchange, just because I have never thought in that direction—for instance, events in the Middle East and its connection to the energy market.

— Tell us about your future plans.

— In the long term, I'm seriously considering returning to Russia in a professional capacity, and this experience has only reinforced that interest. In the short term, I've applied for an extension of my exchange semester, and on the academic side I still have my bachelor's thesis ahead of me, along with exams at both HSE and TUM. So, I will be preparing myself for this.

— What advice would you give to prospective international students who are considering taking part in exchange programmes?

— My main piece of advice would be ‘don't be shy.’  

Speak up and actively participate in class, and don't hesitate to approach other students or professors if something is unclear. It sounds simple, but it makes a real difference. It's how I ended up making genuine friendships and establishing good connections with professors

It also makes navigating coursework and university bureaucracy considerably easier when you're not figuring everything out alone or guessing.

— Would you recommend studying at HSE University to other young people from abroad?

— Absolutely, and I already have.

A close friend of mine from my home university has applied for an exchange semester at HSE for the upcoming fall based mostly on my recommendation

For other international students I'd recommend it for several reasons: the academic quality, the cultural immersion, and the chance to genuinely understand Russia, which is so often discussed in the news, but through a certain lens. A semester in Russia will widen your perception and let you perceive Russia from a different angle.

Academic mobility at HSE University opens the doors to gaining collaboration experience in an international academic environment, improving your intercultural and teamwork skills, learning more about the Russian educational system, opening up new employment possibilities, and building long-lasting friendships. For more information, please see the incoming mobility website.