Where to Study Russian Language Abroad: Meet Estonia

Curious about Russian language study abroad programs? You’re in the right place! CIEE offers several exciting study abroad programs in an incredible location: Estonia.  

Let’s dive in as we discuss our Estonia study abroad programs, and specifically, our fascinating Russian language options!  

Where Can I Study Russian Abroad?  

With CIEE, you can study Russian abroad in the small but mighty country of Estonia.  

Sharing a border with Russia and Latvia, and located right below Finland, Estonia might be hard to find on a map, but trust us when we say studying abroad here will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.  

This remarkable country is filled with medieval fairytale towns, rich history, must-see natural attractions, renowned museums, top-notch education systems, and intriguing technological advances. No, really, Estonia is considered one of the world’s most advanced digital societies, with a robust technology system including electronic ID cards, e-voting, e-health, e-school, e-banking, and much, much more.  

Read More: 10 Reasons Why Estonia is the “It” Destination for Tech Students

All our Estonia study abroad programs take place in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital. This lively city is known for:  

• The Old Town, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe
• Serving as Estonia’s hub for politics, finances, culture, history, and education
• The Town Wall, a defensive wall dating back to the 13th century
• Incredible architecture and beauty – Tallinn is referred to as the “Gem of the Baltic”

And that’s just a sneak peek – there’s much to discover in this long-standing city.  

An Estonia study abroad program promises a diverse and exciting experience for all students, including those interested in Russian-language learning.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Estonia  

Should I Study Abroad in Russia?  

While we don’t currently offer study abroad programs in Russia, we consider Estonia to be a great alternative.  

Prior to becoming the Republic of Estonia in 1991, the country was part of the Soviet Union, alongside a string of other countries in the region including Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, and others. So, not only is Estonia’s history entwined with Russia’s, but a large part of the Estonian population speaks the language as well. In fact, 35% of Tallinn citizens have Russian roots. You’ll be getting a fully immersive Russian language study abroad experience in Estonia.  

Why Learn Russian Language?  

Learning Russian is valuable because it’s one of the top 10 languages spoken in the world. In addition, Russian is considered a geographically widespread language, spoken in many places throughout Europe and even Asia, so knowing the language is particularly helpful when traveling.  

It’s worth noting that Russian is also the root language for a variety of different Slavic languages, meaning if you know Russian relatively well, you likely can communicate with others who speak a different Slavic language variety, like Polish, Latvian, Serbian, Czech, and more.  

Russian language has been at the forefront of world history and culture. Notably, some of the world’s most renowned scholars, writers, artists, and musicians perfected their craft in the language, including Leo Tolstoy, Vladimir Nabokov, Wassily Kandinsky, and more. Learning Russian is more than just learning a language; it’ll help you better understand different histories and cultures.  

Plus, dedicating some time to learning a new language is impressive. Your colleagues, professors, and future employers will take note.  

Is Russian Language In-Demand in USA?  

Great question! Our answer? Absolutely. Russian speakers are particularly needed in different United States government agencies due to the language’s international prevalence.  

These types of agencies include:  

• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Defense
• Department of Energy
• Health and Human Services
• Department of Labor  

And many more!  

Further, interpreting services are always needed across a variety of different industries including education, healthcare, legal, and more. Learning Russian is worthwhile. And learning it abroad and immersing yourself in a local culture is an even better way to pick up on the language and learn more about its historical and cultural context.  

Top 2 Russian Language Study Abroad Programs

Now, let’s get into the fun part! Which CIEE Russian language study abroad program is best for you in Estonia? We detail our top two programs here!  

Russian Language + European Studies  

Our semester-long Russian Language + European Studies program is an exceptional option. You’ll get to explore impressive Tallinn, the Gem of the Baltic, while improving your Russian language skills through classroom materials, lab work, and experiential coursework. Your global perspective will broaden with this immersive study abroad experience.  

Program details:  

• Length: 16 weeks
• Credit: 12-18 semester hours/18-27 quarter hours
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
• Costs: $19,850
• Featured Course: Russian and Slavonic Cultural Linguistics at Tallinn University  
• Excursion Highlight: Check out some of the world’s best-preserved medieval architecture including town hall square, the City Wall, and more

Summer Intensive Russian Language  

Our Summer Intensive Russian Language program is another incredible Estonia study abroad opportunity to develop your Russian and learn more about East European culture and history. Designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of Russian, this six-week-long program will help boost you to higher language levels while exploring Estonia’s magnificent sites and attractions. This is a brand new 2024 CIEE program that we’re thrilled about!  

Program details:  

• Length: Six weeks  
• Credit: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Noblessner Seafront Quarter  

Learn Russian Abroad

CIEE’s Russian language study abroad programs guarantee a unique adventure. Don’t wait any longer to get started on it! Удачи (good luck)!

EXPLORE ESTONIA STUDY ABROAD