‘From the Day I Arrived, I Felt That Moscow Is the Place to Be’

Ikenna Mbata, from Owerri, Nigeria, is a student of the Master’s in Science, Technology and Innovation Management and Policy at ISSEK in Moscow. As part of a series of articles in which HSE students reflect over the past year and look to the future, Ikenna told the HSE News Service about the admissions process that led to him winning a full-tuition scholarship, how his courses are relevant to current events, and why learning Russian is not for the faint-hearted.

Admissions

This time last year, I didn’t know about HSE. I had read and heard a lot about other schools in Moscow and Russia, but not HSE. I only learnt about HSE using university rankings and searching on the Open Doors scholarship website. The ranking status of HSE and the fact that my dream course was taught in English convinced me to come here. I also chose Moscow because of the cultural values and the fact it is the capital city.

After I applied, I was scheduled for a virtual interview within a week

The interview was more like a friendly chat with the interviewers because I answered their questions smartly and engaged them in knowing about HSE and the programme. A week later, I was recommended for admission on a scholarship and the whole admission process started. It was quite a long process with all the documents, but I was glad to pass the hurdles. I used technical support a couple of times I had issues with the site. The Telegram back-end handlers were also very prompt in providing assistance and answers. During the enrolment stage, things were a lot more organised and scheduled, leading to the timely issuance of my invitation number.

The Programme and Professors

About my programme and the courses so far, I would say we are still at the unveiling stage, but I have come to understand what I am in for. I have already taken a quarter of my total courses. I have also experienced first-hand the receptiveness of my professors in interacting with students.

Some of my professors are endearing, with their dress sense and their near-perfect British accents. I am amazed by how one of them knew all of us by our first names

With a pharmacy background, it was a little difficult to fit into the programme, but my leadership and practical management experience helped me stay afloat. Once I had to almost take centre-stage when we had a guest lecturer, my colleague, talk to us about innovations in the pharma sector. I introduced myself and he let me share my background knowledge and discuss it in class. As someone who likes current and world affairs, ‘STI Policy. Basics’ is also an interesting course as it relates to what is happening in the world. So far, I have taken only three classes online, but would have preferred if they happened offline. Overall, the courses are not so difficult for me to study.

Moscow

Moscow is quite fascinating and a beautiful city. I have seen quite a number of tourist sights already, including the Seven Sisters and the MIBC. I use a map a lot to navigate, and the metro and the entire transport system is so organised and helpful (even for first-timers).

Honestly, I feel Moscow has a lot more to showcase to the world than people might think

I live at the Sevastopol Hotel apartment. It is in the south of the city, 45 minutes away from my school by metro. At first I liked the ambience of the environment, but when I compare it with other hostel facilities, I feel bad. The apartment has a lot of restrictions, there are no gym facilities, students have to buy drinking water, and the common study rooms are not like HSE hostels. The rent is also about the highest.

I would like to live in Moscow. I am falling in love with the city, despite the weather. I hope to find a job in a multinational company, but I would not rule out the possibility of doing a PhD if I get an offer.

I do miss the fact that I do not have my family here with me. I miss the home-made Nigerian dishes and the joy of shared family times, though social networks bridge some part of it. I hope to have my family visit me some day.

My friends still wonder how I cope with the weather and some of them are ‘scared to take such risks’ themselves

From the day I arrived, I felt that Moscow is the place to be. It is a well-organised, secure and beautiful city. The cost of living is not high compared to other cities of the same status. It has good study opportunities, and is beginning to have a mix of cultural nuances and diverse backgrounds. And of course, who would not want to come to study at HSE?

Sharing Culture and Language

I have made a couple of friends from my class and outside of class in the residence. We share our experiences of our national and cultural backgrounds—and with my Russian acquaintances, also about Russian language.

Sometimes, I try to practice Russian with my Russian acquaintances and a few of my Nigerian friends who are also learning the language. It gives me the feeling of belonging in a student community

I have been practicing Russian on Duolingo for the past four months and I would say that the language is not for the faint-hearted. All the words are difficult, but one has to embrace the challenge. For me, I can say I am learning well, particularly in reading some basic sentences. So far, I know the basic greetings, numbers, and introductory phrases to get along.

Leisure Time

In my free time, I play tennis, chess, or Scrabble. On weekends, I travel to Studencheskaya to play table tennis there, as there are no facilities at Sevastopol.

After my exams just before the New Year, I hope to take few days to rest, then start my term paper research. In between, I would love to visit fun sights in the city centre in the evenings.

I have not been able to travel outside of Moscow yet. But St Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod are top of my travel wishlist.