Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Explode Your Possibilities in Moscow! Past Review

By (Theatre Performance, Fordham University) - abroad from 09/15/2013 to 12/15/2013 with

National Theater Institute: Moscow Art Theatre Semester (MATS)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Anything is possible if you have the tools. Moscow teaches you how to create the tools.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrators in the American Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre are on top of their game and very helpful to the American students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm was very nice, clean, and convenient.

* Food:

The cafeteria is delicious, and is state subsidized, so it's cheap!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Russian culture is completely different and makes one feel uncomfortable at times, but it is good to experience the difference.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Very concerned about student's safety and health. Good medical attention given when needed.

* Safety:

I felt safe in Moscow, although some friends were approached, one punched in the head, and one pick pocketed. These events seemed to be a fluke, and we all felt relatively safe.

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

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)

Moscow, like any big city, is expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30-40 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get large sums of money from ATMs and do it less frequently because there is a charge.

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

We had Russian three times a week and we were encouraged to use our skills in the city.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Exit Level Acting in Italian at Fordham, but began Russian only in Russia.
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? Learn cyrillic before travelling to Moscow. Learn key phrases.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Teaching style
  • Collaboration with others
* What could be improved?
  • more time in class for individual work
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Moscow trains "Actor-creators," not "actors." Be prepared to do EVERYTHING.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Acting
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: At times, the work seemed unevenly distributed, and Russian gender bias affected who could do what in our class. This shouldn't stop you from going to Moscow, just be aware that this is part of the environment.
Credit Transfer Issues: