Past Review
By Megan C (IR, Tufts University) for
CIEE: St. Petersburg - Russian Area Studies
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned so much about Russia, made some wonderful friends, and even want to go back! It really lends some perspective to your university studies, which can be a bit of a bubble.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2006 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All classes are with fellow Americans in the Center for Russian Language and Culture (which serves foreign students). There is a heavy emphasis on Russian language. While it would have been great to take university classes with Russian, my language skills (and those of most program participants) is not at that level. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
As stated earlier, the program administration in St. Petersburg clearly had a long-term and positive relationship with the host university. Their knowledge of the culture (even the American administrators') was fabulous! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a Russian woman who had hosted many students before, so she was familiar with the challenges foreign students face. I had my own room in the apartment. <br /><br /> Students were spread out all over the city and in St. Petersburg, there are a series of bridges that go up a little after midnight. So if you are out with friends on the "wrong" side of the bridge when it goes up, then you are stuck. That, along with the fact that the metro closes early, impedes nightlife. My neighborhood was average, but safety should always be highly considered in Russia. |
| * Food: |
Russian hosts will feed you SO MUCH. We all have stories about how we tried to turn down food, but you must eat it all! So you definitely won't starve. The food is fairly simple, but I didn't have a problem with it at all. Definitely try Georgian food! There is a great Georgian restaurant off of the Fontanka--Legedze. Check it out! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program arranged amazing trips to Tallinn, Novgorod, and Moscow. You are also given a week's vacation to travel, and some friends and I went to Kiev. They did a great job of balancing academics and the cultural exploration aspects of study abroad that are so vital. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
As I stated above, the program tried very hard to make all students as safe as possible at all times. There are cultural issues that are difficult to deal with, but CIEE did a good job of helping us navigating that. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | For about half of the students, we were responsible for our own transportation to and from school, so that included bus and metro fare. Food was provided by the host family, but if you ate out, you paid for that. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Certain things in Russia (food, drink) are fairly inexpensive to Westerners, but anything "Western" is pretty expensive. To some extent, that applies to eating out. Remember that you will probably spend more than you would at home, because of the "Why not, I'm abroad!" mindset. You certainly want to take advantage of and experience all the unique cultural aspects of your new location, and that can add up. Getting money transferred or sent from home isn't the easiest thing in Russia (but certainly not impossible), so be prepared when you go. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I think no matter where you go, it is up to the student to try and use the language as much as possible. If you only hang out with Americans, then you are bound to speak English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I don't think this advice is CIEE-specific, or even Russia-specific (but maybe more true in Russia than other places): be flexible! Things won't always go according to plan, but roll with it--you will DEFINITELY laugh about your whole experience later! |
