Open Air for future experts in international relations: internships in Africa, mobility in Brazil

At the beginning of July, Open Air, the annual festival of bachelor's degree programs of #world_faculty - was held in Malaya Ordynka, where the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs of the HSE University is located.

More than three hundred guests visited the stands of educational programs, asked questions and received all the information about admission, passing grades, academic and extracurricular life at the Faculty. And most importantly, they sensed its unique atmosphere.

In her welcoming speech, the Dean Anastasia Likhacheva shared her experience of studying at the Faculty 15 years ago and talked about the increasing number of educational programmes. Today even the Faculty’s 3-4-years students are employed, facing no problem of the first employment. The main objective, central for the education at the Faculty, is getting prepared for an interesting and successful career, no matter what region a student chooses.

The Dean also introduced a new format, the Africa Education Track, which includes both educational and applied projects for students.

The Africa track is a system of educational and applied activities provided by the Center for African Studies at the HSE University. The Center specializes in expert and analytical work, researching markets of African countries, assessing financial, legal and political risks and involving students of the Faculty in this work.

“There is a lack of staff to work with Africa,” said Andrey Maslov, Director of the Center. - It is important that by the time people receive their diplomas they are already career-oriented, motivated and have had at least one internship in Africa. We have students working for us, several of whom are already receiving competitive salaries and traveling to Africa on business trips.

The Faculty’s students willing to specialize in Africa, receive an individualized educational plan tailored to their interests.

“These are internships and trips chosen according to the student’s specialization,” explained Andrey Maslov.

Olesya Kalashnik, a 3rd year student, told about her experience. She takes an active part in the Center’s work and has also participated in working trips to Tanzania and Ethiopia.

“It became clear to me that Africans expect us to act, not talk. My personal highlights include meetings with the Regional Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the head of the ICT sector at the UN Commission for Africa. For me, they are the evidence to work directly 'in the field'.