Semester-long Academic Programs
Russian and REES majors and minors are strongly encouraged to spend one or two semesters studying abroad in a country where Russian is widely spoken. Most students enroll in one of three ÑÇÖÞAV-approved programs.
Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia
Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program
Students enroll in intensive Russian language courses alongside area studies courses related to the program’s location, live with a host family, and engage with peer conversation partners. Language of instruction: Russian (optional Armenian language courses are also available).
Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program
Students enroll in intensive Russian language courses alongside area studies courses related to the program’s location, live with a host family, and engage with peer conversation partners. Language of instruction: Russian (optional Kazakh language courses are also available).
Kyrgyzstan
Advanced Russian and other areas of study.
This program offers students a unique opportunity to study side by side, in English, with peers from 25 different countries at American University of Central Asia, the region's most prestigious university. Students enroll directly in university courses and live in either a residence hall or a homestay. Languages of instruction: English and Russian.
Summer Study and Short-term Programs
To complement their semester abroad, we encourage students also to apply for summer funding opportunities to study Russian or conduct thesis research.
Independent Thesis Research
ÑÇÖÞAV-internal funding opportunities for senior thesis research include the Oldenborg Research and Travel Grant and the Student Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). The Russian Program also solicits applications each spring for the Yale Griffith Fellowship for Travel, Research, and Language Study in Russian and East European Studies, which provides up to $3000 to subsidize a Russian or REES major's language study or research project.
Students interested in applying for summer research funding should consult with Russian faculty about their projects no later than the fall semester of their junior year.