‘The Problems Are the Same Everywhere. If You Want to Bring Changes, You Have to Do It Collectively’

Kafayat Ali

Photo courtesy of Kafayat Ali

Kafayat Ali, from the city of Depalpur in Pakistan, is a graduate of Lahore Leads University and a current student of the HSE Preparatory Year programme. In September, he will begin his studies on the Master’s in Critical Media Studies at HSE University-Moscow. In this interview, Kafayat explains how he helps others discover HSE University, how the Prep Year programme prepares students for their time in Russia, and why studying a country’s social issues can help people all over the world.

— How did you hear about HSE University?

— In this age of social media, it is not difficult to find out about good departments or institutes to study at. When I was applying for a scholarship, I was very cautious about my choice of university. After I won the Open Doors scholarship, I decided to join HSE University in Moscow because of its reputation and the standard of education.

— How did the application process go?

— The admission process was long for me because I first applied to the Open Doors competition and then I won that scholarship. Then I just sent the documents to HSE University for admission.

Almost everyone on the admissions staff knows English very well. They can speak and they can listen. This is a good thing for communicating with international students

I have never had any difficulties communicating with admission committee staff or my teachers. Everyone is polite and good at getting back to you by email.

— After four months in Moscow, what are your impressions?

— I am living in the dorm at Vykhino—it is an amazing location. There is not much noise, and there is a park behind the dormitory where we go for a walk.

In terms of facilities, it is like living at home. We have a refrigerator, bedding, a room, a kitchen, and good washrooms and toilets. We don’t have to pay anything to the university or the dormitory management. I’m very happy with it.

Photo courtesy of Kafayat Ali

Everything in Moscow is beautiful. Taganskaya, for example, is in the heart of the city and has little lights shining in the street. I was surprised and happy to find a Pakistani restaurant there!

You can live a good life here. There are a lot of job opportunities, and you can even work while you study (if you are not a student of the Preparatory Year). Many of my student friends have jobs here

— What’s the hardest thing about living in Moscow?

— Snow! Winter. I haven’t got used to the weather yet.

— You have a video blog. What have you covered in it so far?

— I tell future students about admission to HSE via the Open Doors scholarship. I tell them about coming to Russia without any cost. I want as many Pakistani students as possible to come here because I think the educational quality at HSE is much better than at many other universities. I motivate young people from Pakistan to apply to HSE, and hopefully some will be here by next year.

I am part of the HSE family. And when you are a member of any family, the family should be your priority

— Do you want to be a social media researcher or a blogger in the future?

— I want to be an analyst and a good researcher. If you are just speaking without understanding what is wrong in society, what effect your field has in society, and without doing anything for people, I think it is a waste of time. You are not being sincere with yourself or with others.

I want to investigate and try to solve some social issues, especially in underdeveloped countries where there is too much polarisation. My research target will be my own country. I know its problems. Over time, we should focus on the whole world because we are living in a global village. The problems are the same everywhere, and if you want to bring changes, you have to do it collectively. Hopefully, Pakistan will be the first point I start from.

— What are your preparatory courses like?

— I am only learning the Russian language at the moment. It is not impossible, but it’s definitely difficult, especially when you have to change words to describe different actions. I always try to speak Russian when I go shopping.

My Russian classes are on Pokrovsky Boulevard. We have classes five days a week.

We have the same kind of facilities as any other HSE students, even though we are still on the preparatory course

There are 12 students in our class. There are people from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Turkey, and Morocco. We all learn about each other’s cultures. Our teacher is friendly and we study in a friendly environment. Everybody gets involved and we enjoy each other’s company. Sometimes, we all go out together.

— What do you do outside of class?

— I am the vice president of the HSE University Pakistani Culture Club. There are more than 50 students from Pakistan at HSE University, so we organise various events and tell other students about them. We have already participated in a few HSE University cultural festivals.

Photo courtesy of Kafayat Ali

At home, I was very active in volunteer work. I was the president of the Lahore Leads University volunteer club—it was the largest society in the university. I would like to continue with this work in Moscow.