The article analyses the main trends in the development of higher education exports in Russia and Poland. For this purpose, data from the official statistics of both countries, OECD, have been collected and analysed. A list of countries from which the flow of students to both countries is increasing has been determined. An analysis is made of whether the number of students in Russia from the CIS countries depends on the ruble exchange rate fluctuations. To identify the motivation of international students when choosing a country of study, a survey of students from 18 countries studying at RUDN University was conducted. This university is the most international in the Russian Federation; students from 160 countries learn there. The survey results are compared with a similar survey that was conducted in 2012, as well as with a survey previously conducted at the Technical University of Opole. The main problems international students face in Russia and Poland have been identified. The economic reasons for the desire of both countries to increase the number of international students are formulated.