‘I Found the Pokrovka Campus to Be Lively, Thriving, and Energetic’

Diksha Khosla

Photo courtesy of Diksha Khosla

Diksha Khosla came to HSE University-Moscow from the northern Indian state of Punjab. She currently studies on the Master’s in Strategic Corporate Finance at the Faculty of Economic Sciences. Diksha spoke to the HSE News Service about the challenges and opportunities available to international students in Russia, adjusting to the Moscow vibe, and her efforts to showcase and celebrate Indian culture at HSE University.

Diksha Khosla

— How did you end up at HSE University?

— My brother was here in Moscow, and this encouraged me to explore further studies abroad, specifically in Russia. I was searching for top universities and programmes when I came to know about HSE university. The ranking and working of HSE caught my attention. I applied for a scholarship at the university and received one after the general test and interview process.

I applied for a direct scholarship, so my admission process included a portfolio competition, motivation letters, and interviews. All the communication through various representatives was organised and carried out online. It was all pretty smooth.

— What is life at the university like?

— My courses include corporate finance, macroeconomics, econometrics, mergers and acquisitions, banking, sustainable finance, international finance, etc. The teachers are supportive and ready to answer your questions, especially if you organise your time well. Since my course is conducted in English, I think there is an edge over those international students who study in Russian.

I would say that HSE is challenging for sure, but it is good in a way that it helps you to become more efficient and smarter

Since I reside in the HSE dorm, I interact with other international students. Many of my pals are international in origin. In addition, I tend to be a really inquisitive person, so I find it easy to converse with others, learn about other cultures, and comprehend how they think. My classmates are incredibly kind and helpful. I believe that accepting differences takes some time, but once you make an effort to comprehend, things gradually become better. On a separate note, I think if one can speak Russian, it becomes much easier to befriend locals. Otherwise, sometimes it can be really hard because not everyone here is comfortable speaking English.

— Did you find it difficult to adjust to Moscow?

— I had already lived outside my hometown during my educational journey in my country. So, living in a hostel or without my parents wasn’t really a problem. Also, my brother was here, so I still had someone to count on. However, when I came to Moscow, what I strongly missed was the vibe of my country. In India, especially the place from where I come, people are generally loud and the culture is vivid. Here, it was much quieter. The only place I found lively and thriving with high energy was when I came to my campus (Pokrovka) in the university. The fast pace of Moscow was also new to me, because I have never lived in a metro city before this. The main thing I miss is the food.

Photo courtesy of Diksha Khosla

The weather here is unusually cold for me. It was my first time witnessing a temperature drop down to -20 degrees. Another common issue faced was the language barrier. There was an ongoing need for translators to survive.

As a foreign student, life can be challenging due to all the changes and the cultural shock of a new country

Nevertheless, with time, one starts to adjust and find comfort in these changes. In my case, I think all of it helped me learn about several aspects of life.

— What are your professional plans?

— I want to work in corporate while remaining connected with academic and volunteering activities. For now, I plan to move back to India. I am also trying to find work in Moscow, but it is an uphill battle, particularly due to language constraints.

— Tell us about your experience as the head of the India Club.

— ‘Namaste India Club’, as we have named it, was created this year. I saw that there are several international clubs, but none from India, though there are several Indian students here. So, I seized the opportunity presented before me. I would also like to thank Oxana Budjko, Head of the International Office at the Faculty of Economic Sciences, who showed me the path and kept me updated about several events.

Photo courtesy of Diksha Khosla

We currently have around 40 members in the group. Our goal is to unite all Indian students at HSE to foster friendships and make life as an international student a bit easier in Moscow. We host Indian national events, educate others about our culture, and build a supportive community. We also organise various events and talks from time to time.

The India Club has added a sense of purpose to my life—we work together for our community and not just for ourselves

We participated in Unity Fest this year, and the response was amazing. I love how so many people from different countries around the world love India so much. They were drawn to the exhibits of artwork, the distinctive outfits, the enthralling dances with exquisitely detailed movements, and the culture in general. What attracted so many people was actually the diversity of the country. We also plan to organise several events next year, including talk shows and celebrations of significant Indian holidays. Everything is new to me, so I am trying to figure out how to organise things at HSE with the help of my colleagues.

— What do you like to do in your spare time?

— I try to find time to do music. I have also performed as a vocalist at several Indian events in Moscow. Apart from that, I love to dance and explore the city.

— What do your friends and relatives think about you studying so far from home?

— My friends are very happy and excited to see me here. It seems that they all love Russia as well!