Embracing the Russian Soul Past Review
By Eve L (European Cultural Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/28/2014 to 09/18/2014 with
American Councils (ACTR): Russian Heritage Speakers Program
Peoples' core values can be extremely different and resolutely impact their approach to life (deepened my understanding of American and Russian cultures). Sooooooo worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
Perfect balance of work and adventure--teachers are very understanding and communicative. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Dorm building was 300 years old, but it was right in the center, so no complaints. |
| * Food: |
There was no opportunity to cook your own food, as there's no kitchen, so it's endless eating out, but everything is delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The culture is very accepting if you are proactive. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The health provider is great if you choose to use it. |
| * Safety: |
Like any big city--don't be an idiot. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I spent probably too much, but with the dollar's value rising against the ruble, it was extremely easy to do so much that is out-of-budget as a student in the States. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-90 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a schedule of when you're eating at the stolovayas and actual nice cafes so that way you don't eat cheap food for two months and spend the next two avoiding it no matter the cost. |
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 |
Language policy of Russian-only on campus. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Volunteer, make friends, go to all the museums and theaters you can (student discounts on almost everything). |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | There are student discounts on everything. The theater costs about 2 bucks at the current exchange rate. World class music concerts are something like 3 dollars... Volunteering culture in Russia has nothing on American slave-intern culture. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
