It all started when I came to Moscow for my master’s in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication. After completing my bachelor’s in Literature and Linguistics in Pakistan, I already had a strong interest in different cultures. I enjoyed meeting new people and spending time with them. When I arrived here, I remembered my own confusion at the airport, so I decided that no other student should feel lost the way I did.
During my first weeks, I went to VKO airport again and again to receive international students. I welcomed almost fifteen of them and helped with simple things like finding a cheap hotel or cooking basic meals. Many of them had no idea where to go for documents or how to begin their new life in Moscow. I helped them with all my effort because I always believed that volunteer work brings real satisfaction. Back home, I had worked in NGOs for two years, especially during the 2022 floods in Dera Ismail Khan. I had seen the suffering of people, and I understood the value of helping hands.
Dormitory Number One of the Higher School of Economics felt like a new world. Students from Russia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Belarus, and many other places lived together. I felt comfortable among them because I had always been around different communities. I made many friends, but one of them stood out because his thinking surprised me. I will call him Bilal Qadir. He was a simple boy, but he believed that Pakistani students should stay within their own group and avoid others.
One evening, I felt it was the right moment to show him what intercultural communication means in real life. I took him to the leisure room of our dormitory. Students played chess and Ludo there, and some enjoyed their chai. People joked, relaxed, and shared small things that made the room lively. When we walked in, Egor, our Russian friend, waved at us. A student from India, one from Bulgaria, and one from Belarus were sitting beside him. They greeted Bilal with warm smiles.
The start was slow because Bilal stayed quiet. Others tried to talk to him, but he only nodded or looked down. It was clear he had placed a wall between himself and the rest. Everyone sensed it, so they tried to make him feel comfortable. The Belarusian boy passed him a small chocolate. The Indian student offered a cup of his own coffee. A French student, who joined us a bit later, shared biscuits from his home country. Egor placed a slice of chocolate cake in front of him with a few dates and dry fruits.
A small change appeared on Bilal’s face. He finally asked, in a gentle voice, if international students were always this supportive. Everyone smiled and said they were. They told him that meeting people from other countries opens the mind and softens the heart. They also invited us to Unity Fest, a big cultural event at the Pokrovsky Boulevard campus. I noticed that Bilal was thinking deeply, so I suggested that we go together.
Unity Fest was full of bright lights, colourful stalls, and fresh energy. Our first stop was the Azerbaijan stall. The students welcomed us with warm smiles and offered freshly baked food. They liked Pakistanis and took photos with us. Bilal tasted the food and looked around with curiosity, as if he was seeing the world differently.
Next, we visited the Greek Club. The students showed Bilal their cultural dresses, old utensils, and small decorative pieces. They offered a sweet dish made with honey and soft dough. It melted gently, and Bilal enjoyed it. He admitted he had never tried anything like it. His eyes looked brighter, and he seemed more relaxed.
We then went to the Belarusian stall and joined a simple dance they were teaching. Everyone laughed. After that, we visited the Indian Club. They showed colourful artwork and spices and gave Bilal a small sweet. They even played some desi music in the background. From there, we walked to the Korean and Arab stalls, where students spoke openly and shared small treats. More people joined us, and soon we were all standing together for a group photo arranged by HSE.
Later, we took the metro and then sat on Tram Number Ninety. The ride was calm, and Bilal remained silent for a while. When we reached Prospekt Mira and stepped out, he finally spoke. He said he never expected students from other countries to be so welcoming. He admitted that he had judged them too quickly. He said he wanted to start fresh, treat everyone kindly, and speak with an open mind.
Back at the dormitory, the night felt peaceful. Bilal paused near the entrance, then walked upstairs. On the third floor, he noticed an Indian student sitting alone with a plate of food. Without thinking too much, Bilal joined him. They talked for almost two hours. They shared simple food from one plate and drank cold drinks from plastic cups. They laughed together, and the Indian student said he was happy to gain a new friend.
That was the moment that showed me how good intercultural communication is. It begins with small steps: sitting together with people from different communities, sharing food, exchanging stories, and trusting that people from other cultures also carry the same basic goodness. So, their conversation ended with a friendly hug. I was very happy and I thought that everyone should be open and welcoming when it comes to acceptance.
Bio:
I am Abdul Basit, a writer with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Linguistics. I am currently a researcher at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow Campus.