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Is this program right for you?

This program is designed for students who have an interest in Russia. The program can accommodate different levels of language proficiency, especially beginning and intermediate Russian language students.

Program Snapshot

  • Improve your Russian language proficiency with intensive training
  • Live in the 300-year old St. Petersburg and experience the relationship between traditional and modern elements influencing Russian society
  • Participate in optional volunteer projects organized through a well-developed network of contacts that facilitate integration into Russian society
  • Experience a rich cultural program including local and regional excursions, visits to museums and historical sites, and interaction with locals

Subject Areas

  • Art
  • Cultural Studies
  • Culture (host country)
  • Ethnic Studies
  • History
  • Language (host country)
  • Language, Literature, Culture (host country)
  • Russian Culture
  • Russian Language
  • Russian Studies

About St. Petersburg

Envisioned by Peter the Great as his “Window to the West,” French and Italian architects created a testimony to opulence with palaces, mansions, landscaped parks and gardens, canals, and vibrant colors. Having endured bombardment, famine, the horrors of Stalinist repression, and the city’s near total devastation in World War II, the people now cope with an emerging new political and economic reality. Known as Leningrad from 1924 to 1991, the city of nearly five million is easily navigated by bus, trolley, and an efficient metro system.

Where You'll Study

St. Petersburg State University

Founded in the 18th century, St. Petersburg State University is one of Russia’s leading institutions of higher learning. The University’s 16 departments provide instruction for more than 20,000 students. The campus has expanded from its original site on the Neva River, and now includes over 400 buildings around the city center and the suburb of Peterhoff. CIEE students study at the University''s Smolny campus, in a quiet neighborhood on the east side of downtown St. Petersburg.

Thoughts From Abroad

You can’t get closer to Russia than being here, and with over three hundred years of history, St. Petersburg provides an amazing venue for studying this country. I love watching students’ excitement after a history class field trip to one of the major art museums. Or an arts class field trip to a musical performance. It is wonderful to see students with just a little Russian language early in the semester later go on their own to places featured in class—whether it be on the weekend to the Church of the Spilt Blood built where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated, or to Buryatia, a traditionally Buddhist, Germany-sized part of the Russian Federation in Siberia. We began the Area Studies program to provide students who didn’t have (and might never have) four semesters of Russian language a chance to study here. We did the right thing. Coming with little or no language can be tough, but you can make enormous progress, and have unique experiences.

— Nathan Longan, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Dr. Nathan Longan, Resident Director, received his B.A. in Russian studies at Dartmouth College in 1982 and his Ph.D. in Slavic languages and literature from the University of Michigan in 1992. He is a past participant of the CIEE Russia study abroad program. One of his central research interests is second language acquisition. He is the author of a number of articles on the topic and was a contributing author to the textbook Russian, Stage Two. Nathan likes the pace and the cultural life in St. Petersburg, especially the ballet and the many art exhibits and installations.

Administrative Director Irina Borisovna Shuliakovskaya is a long time St. Petersburg resident. She received her Masters Degree in Political Economy from St. Petersburg State University in 1986 and has many years of experience working in international education. Irina has been associated with CIEE programs in some capacity since the early 1990s; from 2002 to 2008, she was the Co-Curricular Coordinator and became the Administrative Director in 2008. Her knowledge of St. Petersburg is encyclopedic, and she is happy to share this knowledge with all CIEE students.

Resident Coordinator Jarlath McGuckin graduated from the University of Rochester in 2002 with a degree in Russian and Political Science. In 2009 he received an M.A. in Russian Studies from the European University in St. Petersburg. In the spring of 2003, he began working for CIEE as Assistant for External Relations and then as Coordinator for Campus Relations in the CIEE Portland, Maine office.   Jarlath moved to Russia in the summer of 2006 to take on the role of Resident Coordinator. He is fluent in Russian and was a former participant in both the CIEE St. Petersburg and Prague programs. In his free time, Jarlath can be found practicing the Brazilian martial art of capoeira or playing guitar and singing at clubs in St. Petersburg.

Click here to read more about what took him to Russia and the Czech Republic, and his passion for study abroad.

Recommended Credit

semester: 17 semester/25.5 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75
  • 0–4 semesters of college-level Russian or equivalent. At least one semester recommended, but motivated students with no previous Russian have been very successful in this program.

Program Dates

Fall 20098/26/2009 - 12/19/2009
Spring 20101/27/2010 - 5/22/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Spring 201011/1/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200916 weeks
late August - mid-December
Spring 201016 weeks
mid-January - mid-May

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $11,900
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing and most meals, orientation, field trips, local excursions, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Visa Fee$209
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$8,117
    Housing and Most Meals$3,500
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$11,900

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing and most meals, orientation, field trips, local excursions, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,450
    Personal Expenses$1,450
    Additional Meals$750
    Local Transportation$250
    Books and Supplies$100
    Total$4,000


  • Spring 2010 $12,100
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing and most meals, orientation, field trips, local excursions, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$8,332
    Visa Fee$194
    Housing and Most Meals$3,500
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$12,100

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing and most meals, orientation, field trips, local excursions, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,450
    Personal Expenses$1,600
    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$250
    Additional Meals$600
    Total$4,000


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.