According to the Bologna system, the master's degree serves as a transitional step between the bachelor's degree and the doctoral degree. Therefore, for those who have chosen an academic career, entering a master's program is a logical and necessary step. However, studying for a master's degree abroad has a much broader basis. Here are just a few of them:

• A master's degree is highly rated in developed countries, it increases the chances of finding a well-paid job.
• Including you can find a job abroad, in the country where the master's degree was obtained, or in any other place. Therefore, a master's degree abroad for Russians often becomes the basis for immigration.
• Studying for a bachelor's degree helps to learn a foreign language, studying for a master's degree in another country brings language skills to a professional level.
• The master's program develops such qualities as personal discipline, systems thinking, independent planning skills and leadership. All this is also appreciated by employers in all corners of the world.

The top ten countries most popular with foreign undergraduates are the USA, Canada, Great Britain and European countries. This is largely a consequence of the recognition of the high quality of Western education. On the other hand, a master's degree abroad also serves as a way to live richly in pleasant places, communicate with interesting people, and make useful contacts.

All of the above are not mutually exclusive reasons. Each applicant to the magistracy may have several motives.

Types of master's degrees

There are only a few well-known master's degrees. However, in fact, master's programs abroad are quite diverse. For example, there is:

• Master of Theology (M.Div, Master of Divinity)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA, Master of Public Administration)
• Master of Arts (MA, Master of Arts)
• Master of Science (MSc, Master of Science) - exact and natural sciences
• Master of Education (M.Ed, Master of Education)
• Master of Laws (LL.M, Master of Laws)
• Master of Engineering (M.Eng, Master of Engineering)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil, Master of Philosophy - intermediate stage Master of Research (MRes, Master of Research), which is awarded after a year of study
• Master of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA, Master of Financial Technical Analysis)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA, Master of Business Administration)

This list is far from complete; different universities and branches of academic science have their own narrow specializations, master's theses for which receive the status of independent degrees.

Master's degree programs abroad

Education in all master's programs can be divided into two blocks: educational and research. Educational programs are similar to a direct continuation of the bachelor's degree. Classes go in the same mode (lectures, seminars), end with exams and writing a thesis. Research is much closer to doctoral research activities, has little to do with a rigid study schedule and ends with the preparation of a master's thesis (similar to a dissertation).

The duration of master's programs varies: the terms mainly depend on the country where the training takes place. For example, a master's degree in the UK can be obtained in just 1 year, while in the US it takes up to 4 years for a number of specializations. In fact, 1800 hours for the entire master's course in the UK violates the standards of the European Education System, according to which the minimum number of study hours should not be less than 2250. But this does not affect the recognition of English diplomas, and moreover, they are quoted in the world at the highest level.

How to apply for a master's degree abroad?

The first thing to do if you are planning to enter a master's program at a foreign university is the language. It is necessary to find out the exact requirements for knowledge of a foreign language for enrollment, and then learn it and pass on a certificate with a margin of the minimum score. A reserve is needed, since, taking into account the competition, the real passing score may be higher, and most importantly, a good knowledge of the language will significantly affect the effectiveness of education and the quality of one's own life in a foreign country.

When applying to European and Western universities, as a rule, one language is required (English, less often French, Spanish or another). Asian universities may require two languages ​​- English and national. And if admission to a master's program abroad is formally allowed, for example, with good English - but knowledge of Chinese or Korean would be an advantage - you should take care to take advantage of the hint. Asian students are often bilingual or know several languages. This is taken into account when screening out for enrollment, when allocating grants for education, etc.

In addition to language tests, sometimes good results are also required for:

• GMAT (The Graduate Management Admission Test) - assessment of general knowledge
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) - assessment of analytical and verbal skills

Formal entry requirements generally include:

• Bachelor's degree (with an average score of at least 4.5 on a five-point scale)
• Motivation letter (explaining personal reasons for enrolling in a master's program in general, in a specific specialty at this particular university - in particular)
• Letters of recommendation from faculty, supervisors and/or employers

It should be borne in mind that the presence of documents does not mean their timely delivery. Postal delivery may take longer than expected. And most importantly, often copies of original documents will not be accepted without official translation and apostille. Therefore, it is better to start preparing a package of documents in advance.

Features of a master's degree in different countries

Germany

Most German universities offer master's programs in English - not only to foreign students, but also to native Germans.

It should be borne in mind that a master's program in Germany should be a direct continuation of a bachelor's degree. The mere possession of a bachelor's degree does not give the right to enter a master's program in other specialties.

Czech Republic

Master's students can choose the format of study from the most flexible schedule. Full-time, part-time, and even online studies are allowed. In fact, university attendance is not an important criterion. The main thing is doing research, providing results and passing exams.

Norway

As a rule, enrollment in the magistracy is carried out automatically. That is, it is enough to submit documents, and if they are executed correctly, everything is in order. No exams or tests, interviews are also rare.

Nuance: you will study in Norwegian.

Switzerland

Unlike Germany, where the specialty of the bachelor's degree must clearly coincide with the program of study for the master's degree, in Switzerland, on the contrary, there are no restrictions on changing one's profession.

Those applicants who decide to take a significant step away from the previously received diploma are offered special preparatory courses (to compensate for the difference in academic preparation).

United Kingdom

Despite the general standards that define the concept of "English education", specific master's degree programs are much more dependent on the practice of universities. This also applies to the requirements for applicants. The rating of the university and its internal rules are the decisive factor.

USA

Master's students at US universities can receive education for 1-2 years more than is accepted by European standards. This is partly due to the fact that future masters conduct real scientific and exploratory research, as well as conduct their own projects, not only for the sake of getting grades. Business and humanitarian projects become the ultimate goal of many student works.

How much does it cost to study in a foreign master's program

The price of a master's degree abroad varies greatly, depending on the prestige of the university and the cost of living on its campus. The price level varies by an order of magnitude, from several thousand to several tens of thousands of dollars per year of study.

Moreover, if in Norway, for example, the cost of a master's degree is on average below 10 thousand US dollars, then this speaks exclusively of the cost of education. The cost of living is high, and throughout the year for rent, food, etc. have to spend more. A master's degree in Italy may cost more (about $12,000 on average), but other costs will be much lower.

Therefore, when comparing prices, it is necessary to take into account the approximate total amounts - correlating them, of course, with the expected quality of education and the ranking of the university. With this approach, it may turn out that in some specialties it is profitable to study in Europe, in others in America, in others in Asia.

Finally, with outstanding academic achievement, you can apply for a master's degree abroad for free - not literally, but in the form of reimbursement grants, some of which really allow you to reduce tuition costs to zero. A few examples:

• USA, Fulbright grant. Funded by the state. Reimbursements for tuition, medical insurance, transportation, and also includes a monthly stipend.
• UK, Chevening Scholarships grant. Funded by the British Government Treasury. The grant includes payment of expenses for a visa, flight, accommodation, meals, as well as training and scientific activities.
• Sweden, Visby grant. Funded by the Swedish government. The grant pays for tuition and insurance.

Those who have mastered English often choose English-speaking countries. At the same time, they forget that by choosing to study abroad in a master's program in a country with a different language, they have a unique opportunity to learn a second foreign language for free.

By the way! If you have to work in a foreign language, our readers now have a 10% discount on

Rating

This is not the most important parameter, since ratings are often compiled by agencies according to completely different criteria. At the same time, attention can be paid to very different characteristics.

And here is another useful resource for you - U Multirank, which is rather not a rating, but a comprehensive system for comparing different universities. Here you can see the assessment of a particular university according to the criterion of interest. This system is remarkable in that it shows not only the rating as a whole, but also reviews of students of these universities and their graduates.

Internship

Ideally, if an internship is already included in the chosen program. But this happens very rarely.

If you think that you need an internship, be sure to look for the appropriate program.

Opportunity to study in several countries at the same time

When choosing a program, be sure to pay attention to whether it is possible to change the campus, study at the same time in several campuses or even countries.

For example, in the USA there are programs in which students can study in several rotations at the same time. Let's say start studying in Boston, continue studying in London and finish in Shanghai.

Who will benefit from this? Those who want to travel and also plan to get the most global experience from training for their upcoming international career.

Composition of students

Networking is communication with other students. And this is one of the most important components in studying abroad.

Try to find out in advance who will be trained in the program you have chosen.

Within business schools, multinational composition is a frequent occurrence. But there are universities where there are almost no foreigners in master's programs. Of course, this will allow you to get to know the representatives and culture of the chosen country as closely as possible. But it will be more difficult to join such a team due to cohesion and a sense of unity.

University accreditations

Always look for a university with proof of educational eligibility.

Accreditations also have their own gradations. So, the most prestigious certificates for business schools are:

1. AMBA- Association of MBAs. It is the only organization that specializes in the global MBA (unlike the other two) and does not provide accreditation to undergraduate programs. It is considered the best and rarest, because only 2% of business schools around the world can boast of it.
2. EQUIS- European Quality Improvement System The program was created by the European Foundation for Management Development.
3. AASCB- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This type of accreditation is considered the standard of quality in the business world. Until 1997, only an American university / school could receive this certificate.

If a school has 2 or more accreditations, it is considered that the education received in it will be of incredibly high quality

We evaluate our own initial data

Look at the selection criteria for different universities and try to be critical in assessing yourself. In other words, you need to soberly assess whether you fall under the criteria of the chosen university.

And the criteria will be as follows.

Graduate Grade Point Average (GPA)

Here, the arithmetic average of grades in all disciplines for the entire period of study will be calculated. To do this, you need to sum up all the marks, dividing them by the total number.

This score does not include subjects for which there was a test.

Some individual universities ask students in advance to give an average score on a four-point scale. In order not to rack your brains on how to do this, use a simple one.

However, self-calculation of the average score is still considered a fairly approximate indicator. Some universities will be interested in assessment in specific subjects that are directly related to the chosen specialization.

Well, many others indicate the minimum passing average score, without which it will be impossible to enter the master's program of a rating school.

Professional experience

Do you have work or internship experience in your chosen specialty? Fine! This is your competitive advantage over other applicants.

But if you graduated from the university several years ago, before entering the master's program, you should update your knowledge and check their compliance with the requirements of the university with a master's program. Many of them are aimed at working with graduates and young professionals whose work experience does not exceed 1-2 years.

Personal characteristic

Achievements in sports, participation in scientific conferences, victories in case-competitions, experience in organizing events - all this can be of great importance for the chosen university.

We conduct research

To choose the best program, follow these recommendations:

1. Carry out the initial selection of programs according to the selected indicators(country/specialty). This can be done both manually and with the help of certain services (for example,). Analyze the results of the comparison and choose the most suitable options.
2. Contact the admissions office of the program you are interested in. This will help you fully understand the conditions of admission. You can count on a fast response. But if you do not receive feedback for a long time, do not be shy - call yourself. They will tell you in detail about the conditions for admission and even give an approximate assessment of your chances, taking into account your experience.
3. Find alumni of your chosen program onlineLinkedIn. This is pretty easy to do. This is necessary in order to ask questions of interest, look at the successes of former students, find out their general impression of the program, and ask if the knowledge gained was useful in practice.

There are special search engines not only by specialization, but also by country. For example, here are search engines for Holland, Germany, Great Britain, France.

We hope that you will be able to easily and quickly choose a successful program even before graduating from a domestic university, so that immediately after receiving a diploma, you can go to conquer other countries. If you still have a few more difficult sessions to get through, use the services of a student assistance service. They will not only help solve the problem with exams, but also increase the passing score for enrolling in a master's program.

Many students want to continue their studies abroad. The reasons may be different: someone sees this as an opportunity to emigrate - after graduation, get a job in the country and stay; someone is interested in trying themselves in a new field, gaining experience in communicating and working together with representatives of other cultures.

A master's degree from a foreign university with a good reputation increases your career prospects both abroad and in our country. According to HSE LESI research, the salary of young professionals who graduate from a master's program is, on average, 30% higher. A degree obtained abroad will allow you to apply for those positions where knowledge of the language is required to perfection.

Alexander graduated from a master's program in the Netherlands and now works for a large company in St. Petersburg. At THE WALL's request, he spoke about his experience of studying abroad and how his career was influenced by a degree from a foreign university.

“According to research by the LESI HSE, the salary of young professionals who have completed a master's program is, on average, 30% higher”

How did the idea of ​​a master's degree appear, and why did you decide to go abroad

I have always believed that a master's degree is a logical continuation of a bachelor's degree. Of all my acquaintances, only a few stopped at the first step. They were lucky to find themselves a good job right after graduation.

Options in Russia, I did not even consider. In the West, a master's degree can be obtained in a year instead of our two, and the fact that I could start working earlier seemed to me an obvious advantage. In addition, studying abroad was interesting for me academically. The level there was higher and more serious.

“I have always believed that a master’s degree is a logical continuation of a bachelor’s degree”

Admission

I started my search by choosing a university: I looked at the world ranking and discarded those that did not suit me in terms of direction. At St. Petersburg State University of Economics, I studied in a rather narrow direction "Mathematical Methods in Economics" and therefore could not radically change my specialty.

I settled on several universities and business schools in Germany, France, the Netherlands and the USA and already looked for suitable programs in them. I applied for several at once, but the university in Tilburg in the Netherlands turned out to be the best option.

It cannot be said that I had specific priorities when choosing. Each university had its own advantages, so I had to compare many factors at once. If I wanted to, I would go to America, but, unfortunately, the distance from St. Petersburg did not affect the cost of education and position in the ranking.

At Tilburg University, I chose the Econometrics program. For admission, I had to pass the IELTS and the GMAT test. If desired, it was possible to apply for a grant. IELTS cost me 12,000 rubles. To pass the GMAT, I had to fly to Moscow: in St. Petersburg, the queue for it was busy for 3 months. I paid 7,000 rubles for the test, but the expenses turned out to be a little more than I expected because of the tickets.

For Russians, the cost of studying at my university ranged from 15,000 to 35,000 euros. Europeans and citizens of countries eligible for benefits paid 10 times cheaper. Lucky enough for many, but, as always, not for us.

In the first semester of the 4th year, I would recommend to all those entering the magistracy to decide on the university and start preparing. See what exams and tests are required for your program. Find out where and when you can take them. Sign up in advance - places can be occupied for several months, or even six months in advance. If your budget allows, hire a tutor. With it, you can prepare well for IELTS even in a month.

Do not forget about all kinds of grants for foreign students. In my case, in order to receive a discount, it was necessary to write an essay about how you can influence the development of the university and improve its image. Tilburg University positioned itself as international, so I spoke in detail about my love for representatives of other cultures, the desire to exchange experiences with them, and received a 10% discount on tuition for this.

You can significantly simplify the admission process by contacting agencies specializing in studying abroad. They will help at every stage: from finding a program to submitting documents and choosing a hostel. Only in an agency can you competently compare several options and roughly understand what to expect from each of them in the learning process.

“Tilburg University positioned itself as international, so I spoke in detail about my love for representatives of other cultures, the desire to exchange experiences with them, and received a 10% discount on tuition for this”

Education

After arriving in Tilburg, I checked into a hostel and began to prepare for the start of the academic year: I got access to an electronic journal and chose my subjects for the first semester.

Only lectures remained from my usual system of studying at the university. There were no seminars and groups. All studied different disciplines.

The first month I felt pretty lonely. My neighbors in the hostel studied on other programs and most often came already at night - we talked little and only on domestic issues. People close in spirit to me from the course, as one, chose subjects that were different from mine. With one of my good acquaintances from Russia, after the start of classes, we did not intersect at all.

Lecture attendance was not monitored. Lateness, most often, was treated democratically. If desired, you could come 10 minutes before the end without a pen and notebook, and no one would have told you anything. Nevertheless, students tried not to miss classes and come on time.

Throughout the year, grades were available for project work and weekly homework assignments. We did projects in a team of 4 people in the format of a report or presentation. Assignments were emailed to the teacher. If the course on the subject lasted 3 months, it was necessary to send 12 assignments. The top 10 were given an average score.

We took exams 4 times a year. In autumn and spring for short-course subjects, in winter and summer - the rest. Each exam took 3 hours. No tickets, everything in writing.

During the exam, we were strictly controlled: at the entrance to the classroom, the equipment was taken away and escorted to the toilet. It was almost impossible to write off. To pass well, it was necessary to paint in detail the solutions and answers. The result completely depended on the depth of your knowledge.

In general, it was very difficult to study, but the atmosphere at the university helped me somehow tune in. In the absence of a permanent team, students worked hard in the classroom and did not communicate much, and in the evening they all went to prepare. Most of all, this applied to local students - they studied with some special zeal and rarely went out even at the end of the week. This is what I aspired to, but the combination of Friday night and the so-called "street of bars" in 10 minutes on foot rarely left me indifferent. There was practically no opportunity to rest, and every chance to somehow unload my head was very important for me. After stormy weekend evenings, I sat down to study with a completely different feeling.

As it turned out, master's programs in Europe are usually completed after several years of work. I had no such experience, so many things were new to me. I had to ask my classmates for help. They did not refuse, although sometimes it seemed to me that with my constant questions I complicate their life. During the year in Tilburg, I realized that it is better not to count on anyone but myself.

“Only lectures remained from my usual system of studying at the university”

prospects

Even upon admission, when I applied to the agency, I was told that the university does not give any guarantee of employment. On the one hand, this equalized everyone in terms of conditions, on the other hand, the citizens of the European Union and, moreover, the inhabitants of the Netherlands still had a priority. It is much easier for local companies to obtain a work permit for a non-foreigner. A Russian specialist in Europe is waiting for a huge competition.

It was quite difficult to even find a part-time job while studying. The vacancies on the sites were mostly not in the specialty, and those that came up required knowledge of the Dutch language. At the employment center of the university, they offered to get a job as an assistant professor. Graduate students who aimed at an academic career willingly went to this position, which was definitely not about me.

I was hoping to get an internship, as many of my acquaintances from the IT field did, but it didn’t work out. They took only those whose diploma topic was related to the activities of a particular company. Perhaps I made the mistake of not contacting the City Job Center. With their help, my neighbor got a job in a small cafe on the "street of bars", which during the day served as a quite decent pedestrian street. He earned little there, but it was enough to cover a third of the cost of education. Such a salary, however, motivated students from countries not included in the preferential list a little less.

In the end, I never found a job. It all came down to the fact that it was better for me to return to Russia. I cannot say that I left with great regret. I know people who have stayed and are still working. They receive a salary above the average in our country, but the costs of housing and food cover everything. In the bottom line, it turns out a little - living in the Netherlands is expensive, even if you make decent money.

Master's programs in foreign countries are available for students with a bachelor's degree. In many universities, foreigners can study for free, receive scholarships and grants, and start a career.

Anglophone Systems

The duration of courses in the UK and Canada depends on many factors and can take 1-2 years. In the USA, studies can last up to 4 years - for example, a master's program in architecture. For admission, the results of the TOEFL or IELTS tests, the results of tests in the disciplines required for the chosen direction are provided.

The choice of a master's program depends on the goals of the student and his education. You can get a degree:

• Business and Management;
• Master of Natural Sciences (Master of Science);
• Humanitarian (Master of Arts);
• In Management (MBA). This program is designed for applicants with managerial experience. GMAT test required.

For language adaptation in English-speaking countries, universities provide Pre-Masters courses. During the semester, applicants overcome the language barrier, get used to new conditions.

For students with a bachelor's degree, abbreviated versions of master's programs are provided. Upon completion, they receive a diploma or certificate. They do not receive a master's degree. These are Postgraduate Certificate Programs and Postgraduate Diploma Programs.

European system

The term of study in Europe is 1.5 - 2.5 years. Tuition is cheaper than in English-speaking countries. In some European countries, a master's program can be completed free of charge, in Germany or France, for example.

Moreover, if in Canada and the United States free education is available only to citizens, then in the EU such a “gift of fate” may well go to a foreigner.

True, this will be a conditionally free master's program, because for using the library, gym, swimming pool and other joys of life, once every six months you will have to pay from 42 to 350 euros. Most programs are taught in English, so you will need to pass IELTS or TOEFL for admission.

Additional exams in most universities are not provided. To study in Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria, it is necessary to show the level of knowledge of the languages ​​of these countries. Free can be obtained only in the national language. A motivation letter is submitted with the documents, in which the applicant must indicate the reasons for choosing the direction of training.

The best universities in the world are concentrated in Europe. In each of them, foreigners are offered a wide range of master's programs, including MBA. Control over the student's studies is carried out in accordance with the pan-European ECTS system. Exams are held in the form of testing or conversation. For failure, they are immediately expelled.

Someone leaves for the USA to become a professor. Someone is studying in a private school in Germany. And someone eats eclairs and cheese in France - study is already over. In the materialTheHSE - honest stories of 5 students who went to study abroad

Ruslan Dergalov

Master in Germany

I was born in Nizhny Novgorod and graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at the HSE Moscow campus in 2017.

In my bachelor's degree, I did many things, but in an amateurish way - I have problems with concentration. Months of immersion in sound editing followed half a year of studying the ancient Roman city. I was equally interested in political science, cultural studies, and journalism.

Master's degree

I am currently a student of the Master's program "Cultural and Intellectual History: Between East and West" - an international master's program formed by the University of Cologne, the University of Warsaw and the Higher School of Economics this academic year. I chose it because I am well acquainted with the teachers and leaders of this master's program and I love Cologne - I have already been there twice as part of educational projects in the bachelor's degree. The first semester of study takes place in Russia, and the second - either in Cologne or Warsaw, depending on the choice of track. I have yet to study in Germany. My research is at the intersection of graffiti studies and memory studies.

I have no problems with the language, because at school I studied German from the 1st grade, and in the 11th I received a language diploma. But we will still have special language courses in March before the start of the "Cologne semester". And so, upon admission, a prerequisite is knowledge of German or Polish and English.

Admission process

Admission consists of two parts: a portfolio competition and an interview.

The most important thing for the admissions committee is the description of the research project that you will be doing in the magistracy (project proposal). To the description, you need to make a small annotation (abstract) of the project and write a CV in English / German, write a motivation letter and collect language diplomas or their analogues that would confirm knowledge of German or Polish and English.

The interview was in English based on portfolio materials. The commission discussed the project proposal in a friendly manner and asked clarifying questions about the project and academic interests.

About money

Within the framework of the program, there are 5 scholarships for 400 euros per month, but I could not win it, so I am going at my own expense. A prerequisite for training is to have on your bank account from 3600 to 5040 euros - 720 euros per month.

And although I work - I have my own income - it did not work out to save 3600 euros, so my parents helped me. I also plan to work in Cologne, it is psychologically difficult for me to live without my income.

It is difficult to get financial support from HSE: it seems to be there, but it seems not to be. We will be reimbursed for the tickets, and, perhaps, there will be additional funds from patrons. It's sad, but not terrible. It would be naive to count on an extra 100,000 euros from the university for our master's program.

Future plans

I plan to return and live in Russia in the future. Half a year in Cologne is a cool life and educational experience, not a step towards migration. It is difficult in Russia, but there are many good people who surround me and whom I love with all my heart. I think I'm too old for new moves, change of social circle. And I want my comfort zone.

I hate tourism and the concept of "I want to visit all countries." It is much more interesting to plunge into another life with your head, finding yourself in another country for work or educational issues. And it is better to do it at student age, while you are easy-going. Globally, I want to give 3 pieces of advice: plan your studies abroad in advance, learn languages ​​and learn to google grants, scholarships and opportunities.

Kirill Ponomarev

PhD in the USA

I'm from Yekaterinburg, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from the HSE Moscow campus.

In the economy, I quickly realized that audit and consulting were not for me. I wasn’t drawn to finance either, but I really liked all the “mathematical” subjects. Moreover, I worked constantly as a teaching assistant, and I was interested in explaining things to others. Everything led to the fact that I wanted to try to become a professor - to enter a PhD.

Master's Choice

The best PhD programs in economics are located in the States, which is why I originally intended to go there. I applied to 9 different universities, of which I was accepted to 2 - UCLA and Duke University. For me, the choice was pretty obvious: despite the fact that the programs are about the same level, I went to Los Angeles.

Studying for a PhD is not for everyone. While your classmates are already actively building their careers, you are still solving homework and passing exams. In the first year, as a rule, there is no time for anything other than studying. I thought that people study a lot at HSE, but this is a completely different level. Any exam, no matter how difficult, someone will pass 98 out of 100, and this competition pushes you to study more and more.

However, you need to rest, otherwise you will burn out or fall into depression, which is quite common among PhD students.

From the second year at our university, everyone starts teaching - this is the main source of income. Professors never teach seminars, only PhD students do it, and this system works great.

Most often, PhDs are obtained in 5–6 years, after which they enter the Job Market. You closely follow all the major universities - who and where could get a job, in which fields there is more demand and it is easier to find a job, and where it is the other way around. After all, how much do Amazon pay economists these days?

It so happens at UCLA that a large proportion of graduates go to big companies like Amazon, Uber, HBS, and so on. or returned to the central banks of their countries. I'm still more interested in science and want to become a professor, but it's nice to realize that there is always the opportunity to switch and go to the private sector, where, most likely, the salary will also be an order of magnitude higher.

Relocation, language and culture

In general, I easily endured the move, but here everyone has their own way - I know guys who had a hard time at first. There were no special difficulties with the language, but initially it was quite difficult to understand Californian English. Here they speak very quickly, often use slang and chew half of the words. You can completely get used to it in a couple of months.

Before we arrived, we were asked to watch some videos that explained everything an international student needs to know. They also talked about the peculiarities of the language, and about the culture, and about the documents, and about life in LA. But it doesn't cure culture shock. There are several things that surprised me.

I still can't get used to the fact that the phrases "Hey, how is it going?" or "How are you doing?" or "What's up man" basically just means "Hello" and does not require any response. Or, for example, the phrase "I know, right?" means simply "Yes", and if the professor says "You might want to ..." it means that everything said further 100% should be done

To write any exam, you have to buy a special notebook called Bluebook. You are not allowed to use your own sheets. There are insanely many coffee shops here, but coffee tastes the same everywhere and is rather nasty. For a decent cup, you have to go to one of the few good places and pay about $ 5. There are very (very!) many homeless people here. Some of them may even have regular jobs and, say, an iPhone 7, but can't afford rent.

I still don't know where exactly I would like to work or live, but first I want to try to get a job at some university here in the USA.

Kristina Torosyan

Master in France

background

I am from St. Petersburg, I graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Economics.

It has always been interesting for me to get the experience of studying and living abroad, to plunge into the international atmosphere. While still undergraduate, I spent an exchange semester in France and knew French at a basic level.

I was looking for double degree master's programs or exchange programs and saw on the HSE website a program with ESCP Europe in Paris. I love cheese and eclairs, and I heard only good things about HSE from my friends, so I quickly decided to go there and began to actively prepare for the entrance exams.

Language

Spoken French is very different from formal French taught in school. Plus, the French value their language very much and are reluctant to communicate in English. Because of this, at first there were difficulties - even going to the store or to the post office seemed like a test, but after a year I felt comfortable.

At first, I only communicated with foreign students, because the French are rather closed and do not take the initiative to establish contacts. The first step should always be done by yourself in order to integrate

After 3.5 years in France, of course, there is no longer a barrier in communicating with the locals, but in my circle of French and foreigners, it still remains in half.

moving

France is a very bureaucratic country - everything is on paper and by mail. Therefore, during the move, there were difficulties - to open a bank account, a SIM card, housing, honey. insurance and so on. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance to get through it.

After the move, the first time is euphoria: everything is new, I want to try everything. But after 2-3 months, you start to face routine difficulties, miss your home and friends. This is perhaps the most difficult period. But if you overcome it, further - only better. You get used to the local rhythm of life, favorite places appear, a social circle is formed.

About money

After a year in graduate school, I had a 6-month internship at a marketing agency, with which I ended up signing an indefinite contract. I still work in it, although initially I planned to graduate from the master's program and return to Russia.

It was thanks to the double degree program and HSE that I ended up in France - this is already a huge help! Plus, I received a scholarship from HSE that covered 70% of my tuition - nothing would have happened without it.

Now I plan to stay in France, but the desire to stay for life has not yet appeared. Therefore, in the long term, I hope to return to Russia.

Do not be afraid of your desires: even if you don’t succeed the first time, you have to try again and again! The main thing is not to stand in one place, to leave the comfort zone, to test yourself for strength. Sometimes we don't know how far we can go.

Anastasia Faikina

PhDin the USA

background

I graduated in economics at the HSE Moscow campus in 2016.

The prospect was to work in some bank, like everyone else, earning decent money, sitting in the office. But by about the 3rd year, I realized that this was not my thing - all these finances, banks, consulting... I liked Risech, there were interesting ideas and work with wonderful professors. It was decided to try their luck - to apply for a PhD.

Country selection and language

In the US, most of the top PhD programs. Of course, I wanted to live in one of the best countries, plus everything is fine here with the funding of my studies, they cover tuition. And a normal salary for life with a small load.

It takes time to get used to American accents, of which there are millions, and to delve into all the jokes and must-have phrases on your own. A year and a half later, I almost always think in English or mixed with Russian. In terms of study, there were no difficulties with the language initially.

moving

The first weeks everything was strange, as many places work differently. But, as in any country, you soon adapt and get used to it. In addition, I have several Russian classmates, communication with which facilitated the new environment. The adaptation period is more difficult morally than physically. What could be better than living in Southern California by the ocean?!

The desire to stay, of course, is there. In Russia there are no such career opportunities for me as there are here. And, of course, the standard of living is much higher.

Studies

In the first year, you need to take compulsory graduate-level courses (macro, micro and econometrics) and pass qualifying exams for them at the end of the year (in addition to regular exams at the end of the quarter). It is very important to pass them on the first or at least on the second attempt, otherwise difficulties will begin. In the first year, it often seems that everyone is smarter than you, but in the end you cope with everything!

From the second year onwards, studies are focused on research, you start studying literature, looking for your own ideas and working on them. Throughout the year, the department constantly hosts seminars on various topics with professors from top universities. So there are many opportunities, there would be time for everything!

Since my second year, I have also been working as a Teaching Assistant, who leads the discussion section: in our opinion - seminars, one couple per week. This covers the tuition and gives a normal salary for a student here.

Help from HSE was available only at the time of admission, mainly from my supervisors.

We live in such a big world that it is normal to move somewhere and try yourself where there are more opportunities and prospects. Choose programs according to your abilities, consult with professors / recommenders. Otherwise, you will simply throw away money on application fees. Your referees are the people who will become very close to you at the time of admission, appreciate their time and support. It is better to choose someone who knows you very well, but not very famous, rather than vice versa. If you enrolled in a PhD - relax and save moral strength for the next 5-6 years!

Nadia Ustinova

Master in Germany

background

I was born in Moscow and graduated from the HSE Media Department in 2016.

Applying to HSE was one of the most spontaneous and cool ideas of my life. I won several olympiads in the 11th grade and went out of competition to almost all journalism departments in Moscow. Moscow State University seemed the most obvious option, but one day, after hanging out with a then mediacom student and hearing how great it was there, I came to HSE on the first day of applying and left all the originals there. I didn’t really know anything about the mediacom and HSE at that time, I wasn’t even at the DODs. But so far I have never regretted it!

Master's degree

I had the idea of ​​going to a master’s program abroad for a long time, but it always seemed that I would graduate from HSE, work for a couple of years, and only then would I seriously think about it. In the middle of the fourth year, I realized that either now, while I am young and nothing keeps me in Russia, or never. Then I realized that I lacked a purely journalistic education, and I would like to develop in related areas such as media management and digital project management. Plus, I grew up in an international atmosphere - half of the family lives in Germany, my stepfather is French, and I had a lot of friends abroad. Never had any problems with English.

As a country for learning and living, Germany was the most obvious choice, even despite a good knowledge of French and relatives in France. Firstly, this is one of the few countries offering free education in English for foreigners. Secondly, I very often visited Germany and knew the country quite well - I felt comfortable there. Thirdly, Germany is one of the most progressive countries in terms of the media and digital industry with good prospects for future work.

At the end of the 4th year (in May 2016) I received notifications from 3 universities in different parts of Germany where I entered: two public universities and one private school - all programs in English. In the end, I chose a private school because they had the strongest program and good internship opportunities in large companies. Education is paid, and my parents supported me financially. There was no help from HSE.

Language

In Munich, I was lucky to have a roommate who didn't speak a word of English, so my German jumped sharply from A1 to B1 in 3-4 months. Now I study German myself, but for everyday life this is more than enough: studies are completely in English, and German is required only for some projects.

There are many dialects in Germany (Bavarian, Swabian, etc.), so Germans from different regions often have difficulty communicating. Therefore, when traveling in Germany, you need to carefully use some words. Once in Berlin, I went into a cafe and, out of habit, greeted the waiter in the Bavarian dialect. At that moment, everyone in the cafe fell silent and looked back at me - Bavarians are not liked outside of Bavaria, so it would be better if I were silent at all.

moving

Munich is the most expensive city in Germany. And the prices for a room here are 3-4 times higher than in Moscow. At the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, it is practically impossible to find something on your own, because so many students are looking for apartments at the same time, and good options are taken literally in seconds. I found my room through an agency and overall I'm satisfied so far.

Despite the fact that after Moscow, Munich seems very small (1.3 million inhabitants), it is pleasant to live here. The Germans call the city "a big village, which is very difficult to move into, but which is very difficult to leave." Here I feel less free in our idea of ​​life in Europe.

The local bureaucracy is the envy of any Russian organization, everything is closed on weekends, and the possibilities of the service sector lag behind those in Moscow. But this is exactly what ensures equal work opportunities, good wages and a high standard of living in Germany. I like this approach: you need to not only receive, but also give something in return

In general, the Germans are quite closed and shy guys. For 1.5 years here I have only made two good German friends. They care a lot about their comfort zone and independence, so in order to gain their trust, you have to wait a long time and make friends with them a little from a distance. If we talk about communication on the street or in a store, the Germans are insanely polite and open, they will always help you find your way, prompt and kindly wish you a good day.

Work

For the first 2 semesters in Germany, I only studied and sometimes took some “hacks” remotely from Russia. At some point, I realized that I did not plan to return to Russia in the near future and began to look for work. In Germany, students are only allowed to work 20 hours a week during the semester and 40 hours during the holidays, so many companies offer special positions for students. The schedule at the university allowed me to work the full 20 hours allowed, and from November I went to work as a "working student brand manager." This year I plan to combine study and work and write my dissertation at the company where I currently work.

So far, I see no prospects for myself in Russia, although I love Moscow very much and would like to live there forever. Now, as long as I have a job and my family and young man in Europe, I would like to stay here. Maybe try to live in Berlin, France or Holland.

life hacks

• Be prepared for the fact that finding accommodation can take a couple of months - consider a backup plan, like a hostel or Airbnb.
• Unfortunately, vegetables and fruits in Germany, which are sold in supermarkets, are tasteless - from the word "completely". So immediately run to look for Turkish shops and markets - you can find a lot of interesting things there.
• Do not give in to stereotypes: the Germans do not eat shank and do not drink liters of beer every day. German dishes are generally not the most popular in the country. So if you go somewhere to eat with the Germans, be prepared for the most popular and cheapest dish in Germany - Turkish doner or shawarma. By the way, the best German beer is Augustiner, they don't even export it.
• If you are traveling in Germany, learn how to say hello in different regions. For example, in Bavaria everyone says "Servus", and in Cologne "Tag". In no case do not confuse. For reinsurance, you can always say "Hallo".
• Break stereotypes about gloomy Russians, smile at people on the street.
• Ordinary people are much less interested in our politics than we think, so instead of discussing sanctions, show pictures of Lake Baikal or tell us that we have subtropics, and not just eternal winter.

Editor: Ekaterina Eliseeva

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As elsewhere, scientific areas in Russia are at different stages of development: some - for example, gender studies - have not yet taken shape in principle, others - for example, astrophysics - have a number of serious problems. Talented professionals often face a choice: work in uncomfortable conditions or prepare for a move. Our editors interviewed representatives