
Olga Korobova
(DEAD URL) Crossroads Eurasia LLC
AlumniSince I am Russian, I have always wanted to visit my homeland and experience the culture firsthand, but I wanted to visit a place that was more “authe...
Read Full Interview

CIEE College Study Abroad
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Students with 0-4 semesters of Russian are invited to immerse themselves in Russian history, culture, politics, language study, and university life at CIEE St. Petersburg. Select coursework across a range of academic areas, in English, along with Russian language classes matched to your skill level.
AIFS Abroad
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Traveling and seeing the world doesn’t necessarily mean taking a break from your studies. Study abroad with AIFS and broaden your academic knowledge while learning about foreign cultures! Serving more than 1.5 million students since 1964, AIFS is a recognized provider of study abroad programs. We o
International TEFL and TESOL
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Teach abroad in Russia and do more than work. Immerse yourself in rich history and cultural heritage too! Use the coupon code GoAbroad15 upon checkout to receive 15% off any course. Take advantage of our Super Sale! Choose from accredited online TEFL courses, with prices starting from 4,600 RUB. Ou
ProBa Language Centre
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Participate in this Academic Program in Russia for 6 months to 3 years, with a Student Work permit. To truly grasp Russian, learn it in the country where it is spoken. Spend a year and achieve a high level of proficiency, or study long term for up to three years at ProBa Language Centre in St Peter
The National Registration Center for Study Abroad
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Study Russian at the NRCSA Center in Moscow. Founded in 1992, the institute is a private organization that specializes in teaching Russian to foreigners. It got the recognition as a private language training institute by the local St Petersburg government in 1995. The NRCSA Center in Moscow prov
Students exploring locations for study abroad in Russia will have plenty of options to choose from.
The Queen of the Baltic Sea, St. Petersburg was the imperial capital for two centuries, and it remains Russia’s cultural capital today. Opera and ballet reign supreme in the city’s theaters, while museums and galleries are decorated with everything from contemporary artworks to paintings of religious icons.
Moscow has this certain grandeur about it that is easily recognizable. The city is home to dazzling structures, such as the Kremlin and the colorful domes of St Basil’s Cathedral. You won’t be able to stop and gawp at Lenin’s mausoleum and the symbolic Red Square either. Amongst the politics and weighty history of the capital there is a blossoming performing arts scene, a surprisingly diverse nightlife, and an abundance of green spaces.
Vladivostok is a city overlooking Golden Horn Bay, not far from China and North Korea. The mountains and bay lend beauty to otherwise grey town, which is still characterized by grim Soviet buildings. This is the perfect location to study in Russia for international students that are looking to venture beyond Russia’s bigger, more mainstream cities.
Whether you enjoy culture, sports, history, or the great outdoors, Russia study abroad provides a little bit of everything. And the same goes for study abroad programs in Russia. There are courses to suit every major and interest.
One of the most popular fields for study abroad programs in Russia is, dun-dun-dah, Russian and Eastern European Studies! This will help students get a good grip on the history and culture of Russia and a whole new lens through which to observe the country. It will bring your studies to life and enrich your experience all together.
Political science is also often a great interest of international students who study in Russia, as is international policy and diplomacy and ethnic relations. You will be able to gain hands-on experience through these academic programs that are unrivaled by experiences in other countries.
Studying the Russian language in Russia is another great choice for international students. Though many people find Russian harsh and are intimidated by the Cyrillic Alphabet, it is certainly a manageable language to learn for adventurous students. Nearly all of Russia’s 142 million plus population speaks Russian, however, there are over 100 languages spoken throughout the country.
How much will it cost to study abroad in Russia? The Russian currency is the ruble, and the exchange rate is generally favorable for foreign students. General living costs, such as food, entertainment, and transport, are affordable compared to Western Europe or North America. Study abroad program fees will often take care of students’ major expenses, including accommodation, course fees, and often even excursions and other cultural activities. But it is always best to do your research and ask your program provider about what is included in your program fees.
Since financing study abroad in Russia can be difficult for cash-strapped students, it’s a good idea to create a FundMyTravel campaign to share with your friends, family, and extended network. The money you raise will directly support your meaningful travel experience. You can also check out GoAbroad’s Scholarship Directory for more money-saving options. There are a surprising number of scholarships and grants available for students who want to study in Russia—which means there is money laying around waiting for your study abroad in Russia experience.
Most study abroad programs in Russia offer students the choice between living with a host family or living in a dorm. The decision to live in a dorm versus a family is entirely up to you, but living with a family strongly encouraged as it allows for more exposure to Russian culture and history. On the other hand, living in a dorm can allow more personal freedom and space, because Russian host families incorporate students as a member of the family. Whichever housing you choose, you will acquire more language skills and cultural experiences than you ever could at home while studying in Russia.
Once you arrive for Russia study abroad, you will also be required to register for a visa within three days of arriving in your host city. Usually, your university or study abroad program will do this for you or at the very least guide you through the process. Check out the GoAbroad Embassy Directory for more information. Additionally, it is important to carry your passport and registration papers at all times. Police are known for stopping people at random and asking for their documents.
Studying abroad in Russia means the chance to experience an incredibly student friendly country. Opportunities to study in Russia for international students offer a number of advantages, including discounts on public transport, at museums, concert halls, libraries, and numerous other entertainment venues. Student life is also alive and well, and there is never a shortage of things to do after class. Russian students are active participants in sports contests, festivals, volunteer associations, and other recreational and creative outlets. Diving into these extracurricular activities is a great way to immerse yourself in campus life while studying in Russia, and subsequently make Russian friends and become familiar with the rhythms of Russian life.
Russia is generally a safe place to study abroad, but having street smarts is always helpful. Try not to speak very loudly in public, especially if you are speaking English, it may draw unwanted attention from pickpockets. Additionally, St. Petersburg is well-known for more than its grandeur and cultural riche; there are also neo-Nazi elements that you need to be aware of, especially if you do not look like a white European. Amnesty International declared racism in Russia to be hugely problematic, and Anti Semitism and xenophobia are still part of the mentality of many Russians.
As Russia has become an increasingly popular study abroad destination, more and more courses have become available in English (and the Latin alphabet). This, along with Russia’s multinational structure, makes it easy for international students to adapt to studying in Russia. Russia has the most educated population in the world, with more than half of Russians holding a higher qualification. This is more than many developed countries, such as Japan, the U.S., and Canada. When you combine this with a fascinating cultural heritage and jaw-droppingly beautiful cities, there is really no reason not to rush off to study abroad in Russia right now!
Hear what past participants have to say about their experiences
I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.
Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad
Program: CIEE Russian Area Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia
I would definitely recommend CIEE Study Abroad to friends, I think it's a great program and I've had plenty of fun. The CIEE staff have been great. There have been so many fun and interesting events to sign up for a new experiences to take part in.
Program: CIEE Russian Area Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia
I would recommend CIEE because the staff were amazing , the host family was nice, the teachers were understanding, the events were very educational, and the environment was pleasant. I would maybe hesitate to recommend it completely because I do not feel/understand the high price of studying aboard for one semester. I was lucky because of Financial Aid but for others I do not know if it is worth it to go when the price is so high. However, I am not an economist and in reality I know very little when it comes to these aspects, I just thought I'd give my opinion.
Program: CIEE Russian Area Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia
Once in a lifetime experience to live abroad. Lots of scholarships available to make the trip affordable. Incredible staff (Katya Kavchenko and Ira Vasilyevna specifically were incredible). Host of activities and cultural events. I stayed busy with my classes, touring the city and living. Absolutely one of the most memorable experiences of my college career.
Program: CIEE Russian Area Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia
Once in a lifetime experience to live abroad. Lots of scholarships available to make the trip affordable. Incredible staff (Katya Kavchenko and Ira Vasilyevna specifically were incredible). Host of activities and cultural events. I stayed busy with my classes, touring the city and living. Absolutely one of the most memorable experiences of my college career.
Program: CIEE Russian Area Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia
I would recommend CIEE because the staff were amazing , the host family was nice, the teachers were understanding, the events were very educational, and the environment was pleasant. I would maybe hesitate to recommend it completely because I do not feel/understand the high price of studying aboard for one semester. I was lucky because of Financial Aid but for others I do not know if it is worth it to go when the price is so high. However, I am not an economist and in reality I know very little when it comes to these aspects, I just thought I'd give my opinion.
Everyone needs to go abroad. It is awesome experiencing so many cultures. Professors while abroad are very helpful and care about their students. I really enjoyed getting to know my professors and learning not only class content but also from their real life experiences. Traveling on the weekends was obviously my favorite part of this experience. I was able to visit a bunch of different countries. Wish I could stay longer.
By getting outside of my comfort zone as much as possible, I was able to experience parts of the world while figuring out new things about myself! Staying in a home stay is completely worth it because you get to practice your Spanish and meet incredibly interesting locals!
Living in Spain was such a great experience! From the food to culture and things to do, Spain has it all. I´m definitely going to miss my time here and all the great people I met. Studying abroad helped me grow so much as a person, and I won´t ever forget this experience.
This experience allowed me to reflect on the type of person I am, what I like and what I do not like, and really step out of my comfort zone. Studying abroad has allowed me to develop critical values that are important for everyday life. I have always believed that one of the best ways to erase ignorance is by traveling and my experience here has proved that.
I had a great time with AIFS. I was able to travel all over Europe and meet many new friends. I would not really change anything other than I wish it could be longer. I liked how easy it was to get in contact with the AIFS office to solve any problems I might have had. Classes here were not as hard as back home but I found myself learning more and enjoying the work I was doing.
This semester truly changed my life in a positive way. It changed the way I look at the world, other people and cultures, daily life, and even myself. I would highly recommend to everyone thinking about it!
Had a wonderful time! Staff went above and beyond to be sure each student had a safe and comfortable experience, and provided many cultural activities without making students feel like they had to participate. Housing situation was great- my apartment, as well as those of all the other students that I saw, was spacious, clean, modern and well decorated. Roommate situation was also great! Overall really great time and good balance of school work and fun.
This semester was such a valuable life lesson for me about the true value of building friendships, adjusting and being willing to adapt to changing and foreign circumstances as well as how capable I am to grow and learn everyday. I loved my program with my classes, my professors and my fellow peers. I met so many wonderful people and am really going to miss seeing everybody each day
I traveled a lot in Europe and had a great time. Met many amazing people and experienced a whole new culture. I learned to appreciate America more, because the lifestyle here is very different. I did enjoy Spain a lot. When I traveled to other countries in Europe, it made me love Barcelona even more and grateful that I studied here. Unfortunately, I do not think the academics were the best. Some of the teachers were not very nice and expect you to know the spanish language perfectly. The program leaders were very helpful. I had to go to the dentist and Inma was awesome! The soccer team I joined was so much fun and my roommates were very cool.
First of all, I cannot wait to say how AIFS and the stuff did a great job through this fall semester, including the activities that we all do together and extral help that I needed. I donot know what else i might say to do better, becuase they are taking care of us morethan any one that can discribe it. Also, I do not thing I can measure how much i have fun this years, Every thing that we have done is more than worthy. Finally, I would like to say thank you so much for taking care of me, I would not never forget your kindess.
I've meet so many people from all over the place. It is definitely the best time I have ever had and I'm extremely thankful for the experience. I will always have a special connection with the people that I have studied abroad with in this program.
I had a great time spending a semester in Barcelona. It really showed me how different the world is, but no only just how different countries were, but people from the different states who attended the program along with me. AIFS was great at planning and showing us different parts of Barcelona as well. We had many group dinners and city tours which helped expose us to parts of Barcelona that we might not have experienced othewise.
This experience has been unlike any other. It´s better than I ever expected and I loved meeting new people here. The program was small enough to get to know everyone but large enough to not get ¨stuck¨ with people. The program was so friendly and truly cared about their students here. Inma and Jenn would take the students to the doctors office if they were sick and wait until the checkup was done.
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

Olga Korobova
(DEAD URL) Crossroads Eurasia LLC
AlumniSince I am Russian, I have always wanted to visit my homeland and experience the culture firsthand, but I wanted to visit a place that was more “authe...
Read Full InterviewExplore the destinations and program types travelers search for most
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