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Study Abroad Programs in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg is Russia’s version of a European Cultural City. Planned and built by Peter the Great after his trips to Europe, St. Petersburg was designed to be the grand gem of architecture, art, and culture for the largest kingdom in the world. Today, culture and art is everywhere, but St. Petersburg is also a center for commerce, finance, and politics. The majority of academic study abroad programs in St. Petersburg are focused on the Russian language and area studies, but students can find a range of opportunities in this Russian gem.

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10 St. Petersburg, Russia Study Abroad Programs

CIEE College Study Abroad
8.717 reviews

CIEE College Study Abroad

CIEE Russian Area Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia

Students with 0-4 semesters of Russian are invited to immerse the...

AIFS Abroad
9.0824 reviews

AIFS Abroad

Study Abroad and Discover the World with AIFS!

Traveling and seeing the world doesn’t necessarily mean taking a ...

EDUCA Russian Language School
108 reviews

EDUCA Russian Language School

Standard Russian Group Course

Study the Russian language in mini-groups (up to 4 people) with u...

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ProBa Language Centre
00 reviews

ProBa Language Centre

Academic Semester and Year in Russia

Participate in this Academic Program in Russia for 6 months to 3 ...

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Latest Program Reviews

Spring Semester in Granada, Spain!

by: Lauren Dahl - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad and Discover the World with AIFS!
10

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

A Guide to Studying Abroad in St. Petersburg

Subjects & Courses

In general, semester study abroad programs in St. Petersburg offer Russian History, Russian Arts and Civilization, Russian Literature, and Current Events. Focused classes, like Post Soviet Politics, Imperial Russian History, Russian Ballet, or the Rise and Fall of Communism, are also offered through specialized Russian studies programs.

Russian Language. While Russian language study abroad programs exist throughout Russia the majority of the programs are situated in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Moscow might be considered slightly less charming and carrying a little more of the hardened personality of the Soviet days and culture, but St. Petersburg proudly clings to much of their pre-Soviet history and culture. In recent years Russian language has experienced some decline as a foreign language for U.S. students, and recent friction with Ukraine and impressions of Putin in the west haven’t helped. Still many students recognize the importance of studying the Russian language, for politics, business, and world affairs.

Fine Art. The arts have been a part of St. Petersburg since the fall of the Romanovs, and have managed to survive, and perhaps, flourish during the Soviet era. The Mariinsky Ballet Theater is St. Petersburg’s equivalent of the Bolshoi. Not to mention, the art of the Hermitage and the symphony can all be had at a reasonable price by students studying in St. Petersburg.

Institutions. There are a handful of study centers which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including the international colleges at Smolny Monastery, where classes in a variety of topics are offered in English. Many international program providers have study centers based in St. Petersburg, and offer courses, like international business, art history, and political science, in English that are designed specifically for students studying abroad in St. Petersburg. There are also multiple Russian universities that offer numerous courses in St. Petersburg for international students, such as St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University.

Degree Program. The final option is to enroll in a full degree program in St. Petersburg, this however requires a proficiency in the Russian language most often. Higher education in Russia is demanding and direct enrollment requires not just language proficiency but also a proficiency in the technical language of the material covered, like chemistry or finance.

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