“Make Sure That You Have Strong Math Background!”
Nargiz Mammadova, an Economics: Research Program international first-year student and extended scholarship recipient about her way to get the scholarship, current engagement, and future plans
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Science of Economics (also known as BSE) at ADA University, Azerbaijan. It was the utmost colorful chapter of my life. Providing oceans of knowledge, motivation, and sweet memories, ADA became the main author of my all success. For me, ADA went beyond being a university that supplies the best education in South Caucasus, it also gave me an opportunity to be a student of professors, such as Dr. Elkin Nurmammadov (Dean of School of Business), Dr. Ali Gunesh (Assistant Professor of Economics), and Dr. Ruslan Aliyev (Assistant Professor of Economics) whom I owe a lifelong indebtedness.
Economics: Research Program international first-year student
My first acquaintance with the Economics: Research Program (ERP) at HSE University was a matter of a sudden touch to the random link on the web which took me to the destination of my Master’s studies. A year ago, I was looking for a master’s program that aimed to well-prepare the students for a Ph.D. degree. HSE University offered this chance and I am very glad to take advantage of it. My future plan is to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Economics in Germany or in the US.
With fair grading as the only common point, there is indeed a world of difference between ERP and BSE because of which I am still continuing to be under the pressure of cultural shock. Like, in the Fall semester at HSE University, you must select your electives that you are going to study in the Spring semester, while at ADA, you select your electives a day before the new semester kicks in. GPA mechanism is also different such that the maximum GPA is 10.0 at HSE University whereas it is 4.0 at ADA.
My advice to future students: Never give up! Believe me, that is the key that will open the gates of opportunities even during the times of health crisis- COVID-19 pandemic. Also make sure that you have strong math, macro, micro, and statistics background that will ease the learning process for tough courses. Gain more international friends with which you will not only share your lecture notes, but also cultural values. Above all this, study for knowledge, not for a grade since the grade is just a number that will sleep on your final academic transcript but knowledge carries everlasting and non-depreciative value.