© HSE University
Russian students lead an active lifestyle: they go to concerts, attend festivals, competitions, sporting events, play in the student theatre... Whatever university you choose, you will always be able to find something you like, be it sport, entertainment, or something creative.
© HSE UniversityA variety of festivals for young people is held in Russia, including music, theatre, sports, ethnic, and linguistic festivals etc. Most students are not only the audience but also the participants of these performances – they sing, dance, appear in drama performances, and reveal their various talents.
The most memorable event in the life of any student is the initiation ceremony for freshmen and graduation day.
The third year is when students celebrate their Equator, that is, the mid-point of their university studies. The event features concerts, skits, and jokes. As a rule, each university has its own amusing rituals for freshmen and graduates.
For example, Hippocrates himself greets medical students at their admission ceremony, biology students are given different liquids to try, such as tea, citric acid, etc., and are asked to determine the composition of the liquid, future journalists are offered to eat pieces of newspaper with jam.
Graduates also have their funny traditions: for example, medical graduates place bandages on the monuments of prominent Russian scientists Sechenov and Pirogov, graduates of the faculty of journalism of Moscow State University climb the monument to Lomonosov, the founder of the University, and graduates of Bauman MSTU ride around student hostels in washtubs tied to cars.
The Club of the Jolly and the Quick-Witted (KVN) is where students from different departments compete in humorous acts and perform funny sketches. The wittiest participants form the University KVN team, which plays in inter-university games and the all-Russian KVN. The best of the best get to participate in a KVN television show.
During the Days of National Cultures students from different countries tell other students about their home country, its culture, traditions, and national cuisine. Such meetings broaden the students’ horizons and help them learn many fascinating new things.
Universities run a variety of creative associations such as student theatres, bands, dancing groups, music and singing studios, etc. Even if you study physics or math, you can still enrol in a school of drawing or a literary club.
Debating societies welcome those who like to debate on social and political topics or aim to share their views on the future of science. Some universities run intellectual quizzes.
Universities have hiking and travel clubs, which arrange joint trips, walks and hiking tours. Everyone is welcome to join the community.
Russian students often establish clubs and societies to suit every interest, from paragliding to chess, motoring or oriental games such as dice and backgammon.
Universities have volunteer centres where students can learn about ongoing projects, initiatives, events, and volunteer internships in Russian and foreign organisations. There are opportunities to work as a volunteer in Russia and abroad. You can also find many communities in social networks devoted to volunteering in Russia. Join them and you will always be in the know when it comes to doing a good deed.
When you enrol in a Russian university, you automatically gain access to its sports grounds, stadiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, fitness halls, and its sports community. You can get involved in amateur and professional sports alike.
Each university hosts its own tournaments, competitions between departments, participates in intercollegiate, municipal, all-Russian and international competitions, including the Universiade.
Are you into sports? Join a sports club at your university. The coaches who work with students are staff from the physical education departments, honoured athletes, winners of national and international competitions. Students attend university sports clubs for free. Students who achieve outstanding results in different sports become members of university teams. For information on sports clubs, visit the pages of universities on the Study in Russia website or on the Sports sections of the university website.
You do not have to join a club to pursue sporting interests. You can visit sports halls and gyms (many of which are in the buildings of the dormitories), swimming pools and other sports facilities at the university at a convenient time and at a discount, or free of charge (depending on the university).
There are many opportunities for outdoor activities in Russia. Parks and public gardens are great places to go rollerskating, cycling or skateboarding. In winter, you can visit skating rinks or ski-runs. There are also climbing walls and suburban resorts.
