“I invested a lot of time in applying to colleges because that's what I wanted. That was my main goal and main dream because I knew that for things that I want to do later in life, I needed to get higher education,” says the incoming first year.

Unlike many U.S. high schools, those in Russia focus more on academics and less on extracurricular activities. But Stiuart still became politically active as a teen. He created a United Nations model club and served as general secretary, and he was a member of the only legal liberal party in Russia.

“I feel like the person who graduated in 2019 from Moscow High School is not the same person as I am now. The age difference and the difference in experience is a very good thing.”

Alexander Stiurt

“When the war happened … it became much more dangerous because the legal landscape changed. Even if it was your first time (protesting), you could get into jail,” he says.

Facing increasing pressure and violence as a result of his political activities, he decided it was time to leave Russia.

At 22, he’s older than most incoming students and has more life experience than many. While in Russia he faced the prospect of arrest for his political activities. He left his mother to travel halfway around the world to get an American education, landing at Duke. 

“I feel like the person who graduated in 2019 from Moscow High School is not the same person as I am now,” he says. “The age difference and the difference in experience is a very good thing. I look forward to being a student again.”