Would happily return with AC Past Review
By Nicholas I (Russian History, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/14/2020 to 05/14/2020 with
American Councils (ACTR): Advanced Russian Language & Area Studies Program (RLASP)
A deep understanding of everyday Russian life and a surprising comfort with life while immersed in their culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The course of study was rigorous and fast paced but still gave me plenty of time to actually explore the city where I was studying (Moscow) and concentrate on developing my speech through interactions with locals. I am extremely grateful for their expertise in matching students to extracurricular activities such as internships which I found to be hugely valuable for developing career relevant skills as a researcher and introducing me to colleagues in the Russian historical profession and their approaches to the work of historians. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My hat is off to the support staff both in Moscow and D.C. who did their best to keep us updated with timely information and bent over backwards to move the program into an effective online format when we were recalled to the U.S. during the middle of the Spring term. I would happily study with this program again. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was very immersive for a Soviet Historian like myself. |
| * Food: |
Moscow has incredible food options at affordable prices if you look around |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Completely. This is entirely an option of personal choice and how strictly you hold yourself to the language pledge. I couldn't be happier with my results. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was lucky enough not to face serious healthcare issues during the trip. Classmates that experienced health issues were able to access quick and excellent care. |
| * Safety: |
Moscow right now is an incredibly safe city for foreigners provided good judgement is observed and reasonable precautions are taken. Despite living in on the edge of the city and spending a large amount of time solo exploring I experienced no bad interactions with locals nor any unprofessional interactions with law enforcement. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a fantastic experience on the American Councils RLASP program even with the disruption caused by the COVID pandemic. This program gave me a solid foundation of academic instruction while leaving me the latitude and freedom to explore and interact with the environment and culture in which I was studying. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Moscow can be expensive but then again I'm not the kind of person who goes out clubbing, to bars or out to fancy restaurants so I was able to make ends meat pretty well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We made a language use pledge and were strictly held to it. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3rd year russian |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | It really depends on learning style. I'm an aural learner so going out, listening to lectures and speaking with locals was the most proactive means of interacting with the language for me outside of the academic program. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How comfortable I would be living in a foreign place. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
