Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersion Amidst a Pandemic. January 21, 2021

By (Lehigh University) - abroad from 06/22/2020 to 08/14/2020 with

American Councils (ACTR): Advanced Russian Language & Area Studies Program (RLASP)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
While my program was online, I nevertheless was reminded of the value of study abroad programs in reinforcing a global understanding and conception of the world. In today's interconnected world such a mindset is becoming imperative in how we build cooperation and understanding between diverse cultures and peoples.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program's rigor and depth of content was the perfect level based on my prior level of Russian (~B2). My courses all included highly relevant material, and I constantly was exposed to new grammatical concepts and lexicon without feeling like I was being pushed beyond my comprehension limits.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Although the program was online, American Councils staff was readily available through email, WhatsApp etc. and were constantly ready to assist with any issues.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

N/A, the RLASP for 2020 was online. Please ignore this filler star rating.

* Food:

N/A, the RLASP for 2020 was online. Please ignore this filler star rating.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Obviously due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during the time of the program, we were not able to visit Russia in person. However, American Councils instead developed a VLOG video series to introduce students to daily life in Russian and highlight cultural differences. For students who had had no experience living in Russia, I could see the VLOG's being very helpful.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A, the RLASP for 2020 was online. Please ignore this filler star rating.

* Safety:

N/A, the RLASP for 2020 was online. Please ignore this filler star rating.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The program perfectly focused on areas of my Russian that I strongly wanted to improve, most notably advanced grammar topics, phonetics, and political/historical courses.

Finances

* 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)

N/A, the RLASP for 2020 was online. Please ignore this filler star rating.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? N/A
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Petition to individual departments are your home institutions; many have extra travel funds/scholarships that can easily be applied to study abroad programs and be used in conjunction with financial aid!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

All lessons, interactions, questions, and free discussion was conducted in Russian. Teachers rarely if at all used English, and program staff most of the time refrained as well. Emphasis was placed on simulating full cultural immersion despite the online nature of the program.

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? Intermediate Level Courses
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? While my experience is shaped by having to learn online, I would suggest incorporating media in your target language into your daily life. In my case, I read the news/watched videos + movies all in my target language as much as I could.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Rigor/Difficulty
  • Wide range of *real* topics as mediums for learning Russia i.e. geography
  • Professors
* What could be improved?
  • Video Blog for more experienced Russian students/ those who have been to the country before
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing major stood out that I saw as some issue I wish I was prepared for.

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 Linguist
You 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!