Location:

Moscow, Russia; Saint Petersburg, Russia

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Individualized Russian Language Program for Heritage Speakers is intended to address the specific language needs of students who speak Russian at home or with relatives or who grew up speaking Russian and wish to strengthen their Russian skills.

Program participants work with American Councils staff and host university faculty to develop a tutorial program serving their unique needs as language learners. All individualized programs focus on the development of Russian language skills, including grammar, conversation, and phonetics; courses in literature, history, and area studies are available for advanced students. Participants attend a minimum of twelve hours of tutorials per week.

For more than 35 years, American Councils has operated comprehensive language immersion programs in Russia for thousands of students and scholars. Participants greatly benefit from individual attention in our small classes and from interaction with host faculty who have extensive experience in second language acquisition. In addition to classroom learning, American Councils emphasizes language immersion outside of the academic program through volunteer opportunities at sites such as local public schools, charity organizations, and international NGOs; cultural excursions, discussion groups, and extracurricular activities; and life with Russian host-families where they can become fully immersed in the language, culture and cuisine of Russia. All participants receive undergraduate- or graduate-level academic credit through Bryn Mawr College.

Setting Description:

The Russian Heritage Speakers Program offers two locations for study: Moscow International University and St. Petersburg's Russian State Pedagogical (Gertsen) University. Students may choose to live with Russian host-families or on campus in university dormitories. A full-time U.S. resident director oversees the academic and cultural programs and assists participants in academic, administrative, and personal matters.