Study in Russia, It's an Excellent Investment! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was great. Not too much homework, and class participation and attendance were most important. The teaching method focused on exclusively Russian language lectures for all levels of speaking ability and all types of courses. The teachers were very sweet and caring. The small class sizes allowed for lots of personal attention. We had courses in Phonetics, Conversation, Music, Film, Modern Media, and more.

On-site administration of your program

Everything was perfect! The class sizes, the group size, the support services, everything! Every expectation was met and I had no issues. It was a wonderful experience.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in the center of the city with a host family. It was the most rewarding aspect of my trip abroad. It was there, that I learned the most about Russian language and culture. I was close to the nightlife, the neighborhood was quite safe and welcoming, and my home there was spectacular! It was so old and unique in style. My host family truly cared for me and always made me feel welcome as if I was a family member. We bought each other gifts at the beginning and end of the program, and I was welcomed to return to their home in the future. In order to settle-in, bring a laptop, Russian power-adapter, and unique cultural items from home. A T-shirt of your home city, nice candy or snacks make excellent gifts.

The program utilized host families and all families accommodated any and all dietary restrictions. The quality and quantity of food was always perfect. My advice is to avoid American places and really dive into the culture. Try as many local and national Russian dishes while abroad.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Every week their are spectacular cultural excursions, including famous sites in St. Petersburg, a trip to Moscow, and the island of Valaam or the city of Novgorod. There are also many clubs and bars to explore as well.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Safety was never an issue. Any issues with safety within my program were the result of students acting irresponsibly or not paying attention to their surroundings. St. Petersburg is no more or less safe than any other American city. It has its good parts and its bad parts. Students will never visit or find themselves within uncomfortable situations or environments within St. Petersburg. Just remember that if you enjoy to party, drink responsibly and always travel in groups to avoid bad situations.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

We were encouraged to speak Russian all the time, but we were only policed when at the university or in our home stay out of respect to the local people. Among fellow Americans, it was easy to speak English more often than Russian, but most of the day, I found myself speaking Russian to order food, to use transportation, or talk to my host family. Not many Russians speak English which allows for almost full language immersion. My Russian really improved by the end of the trip.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family