Study abroad

[rita-ivanovna.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know anything about St. Petersburg State's Center of Russian Language and Culture or the CIEE program through them?

I just started studying Russian, and it has since taken over my life. I'm a sophomore (sort of) and the current plan is to spend next year in Petersburg through the CIEE program, mostly just because it's the only program to Russia that my school offers. If anyone knows anything about this particular program, good or bad, or any suggestions about other programs, I would really appreciate it.

Also is there anything I should be doing now to prepare for living in Russia for a year? Or anything comforting I could tell my parents who are not thrilled with my choice of destination? = ) Thanks.

Comments

[devinshire.livejournal.com]

You can register directly with St. Petersburg State University and save SOOOO much money on agency fees that you would be paying CIEE. Just a thought - I don't know what your financial situation is, but I do know that CIEE is really expensive. Here's the link to their website: http://www.russian4foreigners.spb.ru/index.html

If you want to avoid being a spectacle in Russia, my best advice to you would be to dress conservatively and in a traditionally feminine manner (I'm assuming you're female?). There are a lot of people in St. Petersburg who dress pretty crazy, but as a foreigner, it would be best for you not to overly assert your individuality via fashion. Native Russians can get away with a lot more than foreigners in this respect.

I'm also planning to spend next year in St. Petersburg. This summer, I studied at St. Petersburg State University and I can't wait to get back. If you have any more questions about how not to behave like a stupid American abroad, you're welcome to email me at marydevin @ gmail.com. Good luck to you.

[rita-ivanovna.livejournal.com]

Thank you. What did you think of the University? Yes, CIEE is very expensive... My school requires programs to give grades, and I think the Center at St. Petersburg State just gives a certificate of participation, although I could be wrong. I'll look into it... Thanks for the advice, and I'm sure I'll think of something to pester you with = )

Rita

Off-topic

[futari-no-nikki.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't know much about this programm, I just wanted to say I live in Saint-Petersburg, I'm Russian, and it would be nice to meet here with English native-speaker to practice my not-so-good English and your Russian. Maybe I'll be able to help somehow in Saint-Petersburg, to talk about interesting place or to show something you interested in.

Anyway, if you have questions about Russian language or about Saint-Petersburg, feel free to ask me. I'll try to help you.

P.S. Sorry for my English...

[ex-evengar540.livejournal.com]

You may want to contact American Councils for International Education, they have an office in St. Petersburg. Everybody speaks English there; and, also, there are many foreigners.

I'm not sure if you understand Russian, but here's their site (in St. Pete):
http://www.americancouncils.spb.ru

If you would have any questions about St. Pete and where to find a free internet center (I think it's possible for you to use it... at least, you could try) or people from the USA, e-mail me ( chimera @ twilight.ru ). I may be able to help a little. I may give you an advice about Russian culture as well.

I don't know anything in particular about the CIEE program, but this link may be useful for you:
http://www.ciee.org/
(the official site of the program)

This link also may be useful:
http://www.americancouncils.org/
(the official site of the American Councils)

The last link provides variety of information about different cultural exchange programs.

All this if to add to what devinluvrussia has said.

Good luck, have a nice stay in Russia!

[evaluna68.livejournal.com]

I'm a CIEE alum (St. Petersburg 1989, Novosibirsk 1995). St. Petersburg was an amazing program that totally changed my life (and believe me, my mom wasn't crazy about the idea either). But that was a long time ago, and there are other options now. However, especially if you speak little no Russian, CIEE will make a lot of things much smoother for you than if you had to do them yourself, but in the post-Soviet world, these things (relations with the dorm, medical care, visa support, etc.) may not be nearly as much of a headache now as they were then.
Another thing to keep in mind is that CIEE has scholarship funding available, which I don't believe would be available if you enrolled directly with the university.
Feel free to e-mail me at eve_rachel@yahoo.com if you have more questions.
By the way, the Novosibirsk program was run very differently, and frankly, it sucked.