Description

Students will prepare with intensive courses in Russian language and covering the specific environmental challenges facing Siberia. Then, put your language skills to use and gain first hand knowledge of the local environment when you join the Great Baikal Trail Organization on a trail building expedition. During the expedition participants spend six hours a day working, have all meals provided, and spend the rest of their time socializing with Russians and other members of the crew.

Course includes:

*Russian Language Study: courses offered at six different levels.

*Siberian Environmental History: course on Siberia's environmental problems caused by the transition from a planned economy to a free market economy and what the government, businesses, and NGOs are doing about it.

*Culture Lab: excursions, seminars, and other out-of-the-classroom experiences at locations of historical, cultural, environmental, or other interest. Also includes a brief seminar covering the major issues currently faced by Lake Baikal and the organizations working to resolve or alleviate those issues.

*Trail Building Expedition: see below.

Highlights

*Trail Building Expedition: the project will take place within the Baikalskiy National Natural Reserve, within a forested area near the Osinovka River and some 9 km north of Tankhoi Village, with its 1,300 mainly Russian and Buryat residents. Volunteers will carve the trail bed, clear fallen trees and dwarf pines from the trail, build new trail, construct small bridges and dikes, and more! More information on the project can be viewed on the GBT site.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

• Environmental Studies
• Russian Language And Literature

Cost in US$:

Program Fees Include:

Program costs include tuition for study, accommodation, all meals during the trail-building portion of the program, visa and registration, pre-departure materials, local orientation, health and accident insurance, cultural program, round-trip airport transfers, and SRAS in-country support.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Canadian and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-3 weeks

The School of Russian and Asian Studies's Mission Statement

The School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS) is a team of consultants and advisers dedicated to education and educational opportunities in Russia and Eurasia.

Year Founded

1996