Program Description

In partnership with the UW-Madison, the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR), a non-profit educational association and academic exchange organization, offers the opportunity to study the Russian language and area studies in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Vladimir. The programs, which are designed to maximize linguistic and cultural immersion into Russian society, emphasize the development of practical speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills as well as courses on contemporary Russian society and culture.

Students can experience the profound economic and political changes taking place in Russia firsthand. The largest of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia reaches from Europe to Asia. In Moscow, the capital city, discover the 850 year history of the city. St. Petersburg is largely regarded as Russia’s cultural center. Vladimir, a city with 360,000 inhabitants, located south of Moscow, has all the amenities of a small city.

Academics

Participate in one of three language program options in one of three cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg or Vladimir. The Regular Academic Program gives students the option of enrolling at Moscow International University (MIU), Herzen University in St. Petersburg, or Vladimir’s Cora Russian Language Center. Moscow International University, located in central Moscow, prepares specialists in economics, finance, management, ecology, sociology, and foreign languages. The American Council places students in the MIU’s Department of Russian as a Foreign Language. Herzen University, located in central St. Petersburg, is one of the leading education institutions in all of Russia. The American Council enrolls students in the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language. Vladimir’s CORA Russian Language Center is located in the historic city of the “Golden Ring” of communities that have played a significant role in Russian History. The program offers undergraduate-level language programs, combined language training, and subject-area coursework in cooperation with a specialized “CORA” language training facility. Offices and classrooms are located at the Vladimir branch of the Moscow University of Small Business Management.

The second language program option is the Business Russian program which combines a specially designed curriculum for business Russian and a ten- twenty hour per week internship with a U.S. or Russian business in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Students will attend classes at partner universities, either Moscow State University or Herzen University in St. Petersburg, and take part in an internship on some afternoons and one full day per week. This program requires prior knowledge of the Russian language (typically six semesters, although four may be sufficient). Note that all internship placements are subject to availability.

The third language program is an Honors program for students who have very advanced Russian language skills and prior academic experience in Russia, they may have the option of participating in the ACTR Russian Honors program. The Honors program allows students to attend two regular university classes in their field of interest at the host university in addition to the program’s advanced grammar and conversation classes.

Each program location site has a U.S. Resident Director and local staff to provide assistance to participants.

Housing

After an initial orientation and adjustment period, students have the option of living with a host family or remaining in a university dormitory. The majority of participants choose the host-family option. Living with a Russian family introduces everyday Russian life, increases contact with Russians, and exposes students to contemporary language and culture in informal social settings.

Excursions and Activities

ACTR holds a mandatory pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. An orientation session held upon arrival helps with adjustment to the new surroundings. Students travel to local cultural, historical, or social sites one day per week. Students are required to attend at least eight excursions on the semester and year-long programs. The program also includes a 7-10 day trip outside of the host city, but still within the Russian Federation.