My background
Hello, my name is Yasmina Alisherova. I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan but I was raised in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. I graduated from gymnasium school which focused on learning languages, especially Russian and Russian literature. I was also a school president during my high school years and I am also a FLEX alumni 2022-23.
Why study abroad?
Before my exchange year, I never thought I could make it to one of the best universities in Russia or anywhere else besides Kazakhstan. But my exchange year and the experience I gained showed me truly that there’s nothing I can’t do. After exploring the world and experiencing different education systems I realized studying abroad was the best option that suited my education and exploring different cultures always captivated me.
Gap year
After my exchange year which was during my senior year, I decided to take a gap year. During my gap year, I worked in American Councils as a city representative of Shymkent. While I worked I made a lot of projects, mostly ecological projects. I also worked as an English tutor and tried myself in different work fields. One of the main reasons for taking a gap year was because I dreamed of becoming a pilot but unfortunately, I couldn’t due to my health.
Why HSE and Political Science?
As I started to research more about universities and my future major, I decided to try myself in political science. It was like a quest for me, especially studying politics in Russia. I was interested in their point of view about political science in this particular country. One of the reasons I chose my major is to find out more things about myself. Politics is not my cup of tea but I believe if you dislike something, you have to look at it through structure. I decided to take my bachelor's degree as an experience. HSE gives me the power to speak my truth which will be heard and seen and more importantly discussed. Furthermore, community and program were one of the reasons for me to choose my school. HSE collaborates with international universities and still has an opportunity to let their students continue their degrees in European countries.
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Application process
Application for my school is easier if we compare it to U.S. schools. To apply to HSE is free and they don’t charge you for taking their exams too. Russian universities pay more attention to your grades rather than extracurriculars. For international students, there are several ways to apply. The first one is through the Olympiad exam. The Olympiad is usually held during fall and the beginning of winter. Those exams are usually held face-to-face and questions are varied based on your major. I’ve chosen a second way where you take their inner exam. My exam consisted of three subjects: math, and Russian, and I submitted my IELTS results as my third subject. My IELTS results are 7.0 and my GPA is 5.0 out of 5.0. HSE pays more attention to their inner exam where they test your knowledge based on your major.
Scholarship
The scholarship I won was a Russian government scholarship that covers the cost of tuition. My scholarship is based on the decision of the HSE scholarship committee. As I mentioned earlier, I chose the second option and if you scored 160 points on it you would be eligible for the scholarship.
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Studying at HSE
Studying at HSE has been an incredible experience so far. What I like most about studying at my university is how approachable and open the professors are with students. They genuinely encourage us to engage with them, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and collaboration. Most of my classes involve open discussions between teachers and students, which I find particularly unique as it not only improves our communication skills but also helps us develop critical thinking.
The first month, however, was quite challenging for me. Adjusting to the pace of the lessons and balancing my studies with my social life was tough at first. these initial struggles, but the community here made all the difference. Everyone here is incredibly supportive and understanding. Whether it's helping someone find their way to class or assisting with coursework, people are always ready to lend a hand and help. This sense of belonging and solidarity has been a constant source of encouragement and motivation for me, and I’m grateful to be part of such a nurturing environment.
