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Regular version of the site

Applied Social Psychology Programme Welcomes Ghanaian Student

Although it took some time to adjust initially, after only a short period studying in HSE’s Applied Social Psychology programme, Ghana native Ebenezer Yao Wepari is certain that attending HSE has been among the best decisions he has made in life.

‘Upon arrival, I found myself in a different culture where I had to pay attention to certain relevant details. For a few weeks after my arrival, the situation became normal as I began to adjust to the new environment and especially the use of Metro to travel to various destinations in Moscow’, he said regarding his experience adapting to life in Russia’s capital. ‘As a first timer in Europe, I find it surprising to see the depth of the underground Metros and the beautifully constructed hundreds of stations underneath’.

A graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon with a degree in psychology, Wepari recalled one of his first classes at HSE during which he introduced himself and spoke about his culture.

‘It was amazing to be in that class’, he said. ‘People who followed me on social media asked me to introduce and share how they could have access to such an opportunity. I am almost an admissions consultant or assistant to them. I recommended HSE based on my experience so far and the benefits at hand’.

At HSE Moscow, one of Wepari’s favourite courses has been Cross-cultural Psychology of Organizational Behaviour. ‘It has allowed me to gain an understanding of how culture affects our daily business practices and what is considered when hiring applicants to a specific organization’, he said. 

Following graduation from HSE, Wepari intends to pursue a career related to socioeconomics and politics, using his training in psychology to better understand the phenomenon of social deprivation.

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HSE Psychologists Propose New Approach to Building Soft Skills

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Card File: Plurilingual Creativity

Fluency in foreign languages has multiple advantages in terms of cognitive abilities, communication skills, cultural awareness, and career advancement. But can bilingualism and plurilingualism (knowledge of multiple languages and related cultural contexts) contribute to creative thinking and one's ability to generate new ideas? Studies have shown that linguistic, intercultural and creative competencies are interrelated, and their synergy can give rise to plurilingual creativity. The following overview is based on several papers by Anatoly Kharkhurin, Director of the HSE Laboratory for Linguistic, Intercultural and Creative Competencies.

Readers Found to Rely on Word Spelling Rather Than Sound in Reading

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