‘Challenging and Impressive’: First-Year Students Share Their Impressions of Master's in International Management

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The Master in International Management attracts students from all over the world. Students undergo rigorous training in global strategies and operations; digital transformation and new business models; and corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. In the interview, Juliet Otor Abeyi (Nigeria) and Nikolai Mathieu Muller (France), both first-year Master’s students, talk about why they chose the programme, how their first semester went, and what they hope to gain from their studies at HSE. Anna Gryaznova, Academic Supervisor of the programme, comments on the distinguishing features of the programme.

Juliet Otor Abeyi (Nigeria)

Choosing the Programme

I learned about the Master in International Management Programme (MIM) on the HSE website. I had been searching for a programme that related to my undergraduate degree, and I stumbled upon it. I liked that the programme is international [students have the opportunity to complete a semester abroad at a leading international business school — ed.] and provided a continuation of my undergraduate studies in business management. As I perused the courses, I saw that the programme aligns with my aspirations in the field of management.

First Semester: Challenges and Opportunities

The opportunities I have to interact and network with students internationally is a fascinating experience I won't soon forget. Also, the practical seminars, guest lectures, consulting projects are quite interesting, albeit demanding.

I would say I came to HSE with high expectations. So far, the programme is both challenging and impressive. I like how the professors answer our questions, and I like the level of student participation in lectures, seminars, and group work. I also like the curriculum of the programme: at most, we take 4 courses per module. The most difficult aspect for me has been the online nature of the programme for international students who are not allowed entry into Russia yet. This has been extremely challenging. I have had to spend a lot on data subscriptions, power supply, and even devices so that I can study online and keep pace with my colleagues. I am looking forward to being able to study on campus.

Many of my teachers have impressed me so far. I am learning a lot from my courses with Professor Tom Rawlins (‘Corporate Social Responsibility’), Professor Vera Rebiazina (‘Marketing in the Digital Age’), and Professor Anna Gryaznova (‘Building International Teams’).

Expectations

When I complete the programme, I expect to be fully equipped with the skills, knowledge, and practical skills necessary to manage a multinational corporation. In addition, I have a deep interest in research, and I expect that by the time I graduate, I will have strong research skills. I look forward to contributing to the body of knowledge in management as well as teaching future students in university.

Nikolai Mathieu Muller (France)

Choosing the Programme

I was discussing my wish to study in Russia with my teacher of Russian language in university. She said that the best university in Russia was HSE and that I should go there. So I researched available programmes and chose MIM, because it was best suited to my interests. I also applied to the Master of International Business Programme, which I believe is similar. I chose MIM because the subjects taught are interesting and there are great career prospects. What is so special about it is that it is in Moscow—I am very excited about studying in Moscow.

The First Semester: Useful Courses

The first semester has been very good. My prevailing impression is that I am learning useful things that will allow me to advance my career, a feeling which I did not have during my undergraduate studies. The main problem that I would observe is that almost all students earn quite high marks in every subject, so it is very difficult to differentiate myself from others, even in fields where I believe I have an advantage such as writing.

I have been impressed by my professors—particularly Professor Kemal Kivanc Akoz (‘International Economics’) and Professor Anna Gryaznova (‘Building International Teams’). I have also been impressed by the ‘Financial Markets’ course on Coursera taught by economics Nobel Prize winner Robert Shiller.

Expectations

I expect that the programme will give me a good idea of how to work at a firm and that it will give me a taste of different areas of business that I can then explore according to preference. For example, I discovered finance this year, and I found it super interesting even though I previously thought that it was a boring topic. Furthermore, I expect a valuable diploma which will help me start my career. Lastly, I hope that HSE’s business partners and connections will provide employment opportunities.

Professor Anna Gryaznova, Academic Supervisor of the Master’s in International Management

We had a fantastic first intake with 52 students of 14 nationalities. Our students have various backgrounds—management, economics, regional studies, engineering, etc—and speak 18 different languages. Nine international students could not come to Moscow due to pandemic, but we were able to integrate them into all classroom and extra-curriculum activities.

The programme is very intense – students have classes two or three times per week. We managed to deliver a part of the curriculum in the fall 2020 on campus, and later moved online. Online, having its restrictions, offers us many opportunities. Our international visiting faculty members (from WU, ESSEC, and Loyola University of Chicago) have been able to work with the students without crossing the borders.

We are trying to make the programme as relevant for the business needs, as possible. In the first two modules students already have been working on real projects for EY, KPMG, L’Oreal, Segezha Group and Ministry of Sport of Russian Federation.

In the third module some students left for exchange programmes in our partner business schools: HEC-Paris, EDHEC, University of Antwerp (taking part in the academic mobility programme is a mandatory requirement), while we here began hosting exchange students from abroad – it significantly enriches the learning experience for everybody. 

Another innovation in the programme is the new Advisory Board. It consists of representatives of the corporate partners, faculty members and representatives of the leading international business schools and is chaired by Mikhail Magrilov, Government and Public Sector Leader, PwC Russia. Academic Board takes part in curriculum and module design, making sure that the programme responds to the demands of the market, while members of the boards contribute to teaching, student mentoring and project supervision. 

HSE University welcomes applicants from all over the world and offers not only different levels of study, but also different formats in English and Russian, online and offline. International applicants can apply for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in a separate admissions process for foreign applicants and receive scholarships with full or partial tuition fee coverage.

Master’s applicants have the opportunity to get a preliminary assessment of their portfolio and communicate with their programme of choice online.

There are also ZOOM consulations available for graduate and undergraduate applicants.

Admissions to HSE’s Bachelor's and Master’s programmes are now open. International students can apply online. To learn more about HSE University, its admission process, or life in Moscow, please visit International Admissions website, or contact the Education & Training Advisory Centre at: inter@hse.ru, or via WhatsApp at: +7 (916) 311 8521.