‘When Students Are Entrusted with Such Important Tasks, It Is Both Thrilling and Daunting’

Photo courtesy of the African Energy Week Organising Committee

Students of the International Relations programme at the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs—Daniil Moskalev (third year) and Elizaveta Evseeva (fourth year)—completed a six-month internship with the African Energy Chamber in South Africa as part of the Africa track. They shared their experiences with the HSE News Service, speaking about their adventures abroad, the challenges they encountered, and the opportunities that opened up before them.

The internship was possible thanks to a cooperation agreement between the HSE Centre for African Studies and the African Energy Chamber, which includes both joint expert and analytical activities as well as student internships in South Africa.

Daniil Moskalev

Photo courtesy of Daniil Moskalev

Finding Oneself on the Other Side of the World

I first learned about the internship through announcements from the Africa track, which I joined in my second year. This is a programme run by the HSE Centre for African Studies, where talented students are trained as specialists in business African studies. My initial thought was: ‘Why not give it a try?’—but it was difficult to truly grasp such a fantastic opportunity. I assumed there would be enormous competition for such a position, so I applied with a calm attitude, hardly daring to hope that my application would succeed. It was difficult to imagine that just two or three weeks later, I would find myself on the other side of the world, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Opportunities and Trust in Students

During the internship, we were involved in a wide variety of tasks within the African Energy Chamber. The freedom to choose our areas of work, combined with the remarkable level of access and trust within the organisation, allowed us to explore different professional roles. In our very first weeks, we were brought into the process of preparing the annual energy report on global energy trends, developed in collaboration with the S&P Global team. Over the course of three highly active months, we managed to write several articles, contribute to the Chamber’s media promotion projects, and help organise Africa’s largest industry event—African Energy Week. When students are entrusted with such significant responsibilities, it is always both thrilling and daunting, especially within an environment so strikingly different from what we are accustomed to in Russia. Our free time was equally full of unforgettable experiences—from climbing the mountains of Cape Town to an impromptu visit to Walvis Bay in Namibia. After such an abundance of experiences, it would be impossible to remain indifferent or dissatisfied.

Photo courtesy of Daniil Moskalev

Preparing for a Life-Changing Journey

I never felt fear about flying to South Africa—only nervous excitement. When I learned that I had passed the selection process, I was stunned: it was difficult to process that something truly life-changing was happening right then and there. ‘Jackpot,’ I thought, and immediately began frantically studying South Africa, its complex history, and its culture. I was also apprehensive about immersing myself in a completely different linguistic environment and speaking English every day. But once you realise there is no alternative, the situation forces you to adapt in survival mode—which, incidentally, greatly improves your language skills.

There was definitely a certain barrier, but it was more psychological than educational. There is nothing wrong with speaking imperfectly as long as you communicate effectively. Once I understood this, speaking a foreign language became much easier.

Photo courtesy of Daniil Moskalev

Broadening Horizons

The internship helped me expand my personal horizons and test my resilience under unfamiliar circumstances. This kind of experience—placing a student directly into the whirlwind of corporate life—leaves a profound mark, both in terms of professional self-determination and in developing adaptability across all aspects of life. The pace at which I lived during those three months still pulses within me today. Experiences like this sharpen both hard and soft skills, but most importantly, the internship inspired me to continue striving forward and awakened a greater zest for life.

Why People Come to HSE

I truly enjoy studying on our programme; student life is the best period of one’s life. HSE has always offered abundant opportunities for career development, extracurricular activities, and valuable international experiences—that is precisely why students choose to study here.

Elizaveta Evseeva

Elizaveta Evseeva (centre)

Photo courtesy of Elizaveta Evseeva

A Flight to a New Life

It all began when NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), visited our Pokrovka campus to deliver a lecture. I already had experience in macroeconomic analysis through my work at the Central Bank and had participated in analytical projects focused on African countries as part of the Africa track. However, I had never heard of the AEC before. During his speech, NJ Ayuk mentioned the possibility of internships within the organisation. I had promised myself never to miss an opportunity in life, so I submitted my CV.

I knew that the African Energy Chamber’s office was based in Johannesburg, South Africa. I possessed theoretical knowledge about South Africa, understood its politics and economy, and was familiar with the facts and figures. Nevertheless, I lacked a full picture of everyday life in the country. My interview, which ultimately resulted in an internship offer, took place on a Thursday evening. By Friday morning, I was rushing around with paperwork to formalise my resignation from the Central Bank, where I was working at the time. And on Monday, a plane carried me into an entirely new life.

Photo courtesy of Elizaveta Evseeva

How the Internship Unfolded

Our leadership at the African Energy Chamber was supportive, energetic, and highly approachable. It seemed that one could pursue virtually any initiative and take on as much responsibility as one was willing to handle.

We became involved both in preparing and delivering African Energy Week and in producing analytical materials, the most significant of which was the African Energy Outlook, developed in cooperation with experts from S&P Global. Along the way, we connected with representatives of dozens of domestic and international companies, ministries, government agencies, and regulators. We found friends, a second home, and fell in love with our new life.

Unforgettable Impressions

Definitely the moon, it was like a lantern! In the Southern Hemisphere, even the sky is different from what we are used to: the crescent moon appears upside down, looking either like a little bowl or a lantern.

And, of course, I cannot fail to mention how, after hearing all sorts of frightening stories, we trembled the first time we stepped outside alone. South African cities traditionally occupy around three out of the top ten positions in global rankings for the highest crime rates. Or how confidently we offered comments and suggested revisions to experts from the Big Three companies with decades of experience—suggestions that were later accepted. How carefree it felt to run barefoot through the Namibian desert. How we participated in African Energy Week, and during a session with some of the industry’s most prominent experts, heard our own names announced from the stage. How we climbed the mountains of Cape Town and witnessed the most spectacular sunset of our lives.

The Greatest Challenge

Probably managing to do everything—and cope with it all. There were times when we simply took on too much. In the lead-up to major deadlines, we sometimes worked through entire nights without sleep. During what was supposedly free time, we hurriedly responded to dozens of emails, rushed from one task to another, and constantly navigated chaos. I was afraid of failing to do enough, of missing something important, of not achieving all I could. And carrying such a heavy and overwhelming burden was not always easy.

Yet everything that initially seemed difficult or insurmountable—from everyday struggles during the first few days, to adapting to people from different cultural backgrounds, to handling serious professional responsibilities—was ultimately overcome. In the end, I realised and proved that I was capable of far more than others had expected of me—and more than I had expected of myself.

Studying at HSE University

I believe that at HSE, each student takes from the university exactly as much as they decide they need. One can strive for top marks and devote most of one’s time to academic achievement—and naturally gain a great deal from that path. Or one can choose a more balanced trajectory, distributing time between studies and other ambitions. I love studying, but I focus on what genuinely interests me and aligns with my vision for the future. I have many plans, including combining my studies with professional work. For me, continual growth and forward movement are essential—even if the path ahead is expected to be challenging.