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.

10 St. Petersburg, Russia Study Abroad Programs

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
Study Abroad and Discover the World with AIFS!
Traveling and seeing the world doesn’t necessarily mean taking a ...

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