(no subject)

[embers.livejournal.com]

So, I plan to study abroad this Fall in Russia. My school doesn't have a program so I'm looking to go abroad through CIEE or Bard/Smolny (though I'm open to other suggestions/locations). Has anyone heard anything about or experienced either of these programs? I'm just curious as to what people's feelings are about them.

Bard/Smolny looks cool, but I really don't think I'm good enough at Russian to take regular academic courses in it & I don't have the money for the summer prep program. CIEE is way cheaper but has homestays which is something to be navigated, for sure. Eh?

Comments

[superslayer18.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, homestays can sometimes be some of the best parts of the experience, or some of the worst. Usually those programs go through a really long process in making sure that the families know how to treat foreigners, etc, and usually the families have been doing it for years, so they definitely know what you'll find strange etc.

Can't help you more than that, sorry!

[fiachasorcha.livejournal.com]

look at SUNY brockport's semester abroad. I'm takign their summer program and it is more affordable than a lot of others. Also, look to see if airfare is included, that's a huge extra expense.

And I've heard from everyone I know that the homestay will help your russian better than any other thing.

[embers.livejournal.com]

It looks like they only have a summer program, but SUNY Albany has a Fall program in Moscow which I'll look into (esp. since I'm from Albany/New York & can get the in-state tuition!)

[upthera44.livejournal.com]

Hmm.. I myself and planning to move to Russia for a year this summer, but I think our circumstances are probably different, so the things I've looked into might not be what you are looking for. If you're interested in working or volunteering in Russia, you could check out this English editing internship in Moscow, which I've heard good things about: http://www.maik.rssi.ru/eng/empl.htm . If you don't care about credits transferring back and stuff, you could apply directly to a Russian university and cut out the middle man. For instance, you can apply directly to St. Petersburg State http://www.phil.pu.ru/ for a pretty low tuition/room/board. I applied for Fulbright, but you'd have to wait until next October or whatever to for the 2008 competition. As for Smolny, my friend went there through Columbia as an undergrad (not sure if its the same program you're talking about or not). He had pretty good things to say about it, although like any other American exchange program, its easy to fall into the trap of just hanging out with Americans and not getting a lot out of it.

[embers.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think that's the reason I'm leaning more toward CIEE. I mean, I love my independence, but in the end I'd probably get more out of a homestay. Also, Smolny (& SP State I'm sure) require you to take classes taught in Russian which I'm not sure I could handle. However, I definitely want a study-abroad experience around other students, so I don't think the internship thing would really work out for me. Maybe some other time!

[jadore-vin.livejournal.com]

I did CIEE Petersburg and have nothing but good things to say. The homestay is a great experience. Most of the host families for CIEE have been doing it for years. A lot of the host moms are single/divorced/separated women and they know each other. Some of them like to gossip about the students and try to set them up with their friends' kids. They'll tell you which bus route to take, introduce you to their friends, tell you which banya is the best, what areas to avoid, etc.

The program directors, a married couple (one is American, one is Russian), in addition to being extremely helpful and knowledgable are just really good people,. They'll even host students at their flat for Russian movie nights.

I did the programs with less than two years of language experience. Most of the students had taken three years of university courses. But this wasn't a problem, they divided us up into 4 skill levels for classes.

My advice would be when you meet your directors at orientation, make it clear to them that you want a host mother who does not speak English. I think they put me with an English speaking host mom because I had less language experience, but in the end this was a real disadvantage. And when you get there, don't be shy! If people want to talk to you, engage them to the best of your abilitiy and if you feel comfortable exchange mobile numbers and meet up again quickly. The summer flies by so fast, you will be so sad when it is over.
-nicole

[jadore-vin.livejournal.com]

*I did the summer program. If you'll be doing the fall program I think you will have an even better experience than I did. If you can swing it you should consider doing the summer and the fall. I got 9 credit hours out of the CIEE summer courses. And the summer in St Petersburg is just- I don't know, there is something unforgettable about it.

[embers.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice. As much as I would love to spend the Summer there too, I spent a summer when I was 16 & really can't afford to just take an extra semester of school for no reason. Oh well?

[cat-bird2.livejournal.com]

I did the summer CIEE program in St. Petersburg too, and second all the nice things jadore_vin has to say about it. There is a lot of logistical support - from host moms as well as directors - and lots of opportunity to get into unique and wonderful things.

With CIEE you get a studenticheski bilet (student card) that gives you a lot of the same privileges as Russian students: free or discounted admission to museums and cultural attractions topping the list.

I also second the recommendation about requesting a host mom who doesn't speak English - the need to use Russian to communicate with certainly accelerate your learning!

[kragoth.livejournal.com]

WOO! We're both studying abroad in Russia! -high five-

[uchilka.livejournal.com]

Check out Stony Brook's summer program. Contact Pr. John Bailyn for the information.

[embers.livejournal.com]

Yeah ... I'm looking for the Fall.

[kamerasutra.livejournal.com]

I am on the bard/smolny program right now so I can answer all your questions about it. Vprolow@gmail.com

[kamerasutra.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah also the courses-in-russian thing is according to what you're capable of/comfortable with. There are classes in english, and you can always take an art or music class which would not require a paper, plus many professors allow lower-level students to write at least some of the papers in english. There are definitely advantages to not being segregated from the rest of an institution as an international student bloc, and smolny itself is very small so it is easy to get to know the native students.

About homestays: first semester you're there you have to live with a host family or in the dorms. Frankly I think both options suck, but I lived through it and now have an apartment.

[gnomygnomy.livejournal.com]

I did the CIEE program as recent as this past fall. I decided to break with CIEE for the spring semester and enroll directly into Smolnyi (I didn't know that was possible until after I'd arrived). I get the same kind of classes (a little more varied, actually), have access to the same pool of homestays, and will receive the same kinds of credits.

About CIEE, all the good things people have been saying are true. The resident directors, Natan and Mila, are about as awesome as they come. But the biggest benefit in being with CIEE is that you have someone constantly worrying about you (other than your folks, who, considering how far away they'll be, couldn't really do anything to help you in the event of a crisis). We had some students get mugged, robbed, and someone threw a plank into my window, crashing into my computer. Nice. Anyway, the CIEE team basically takes care of everything, from the initial blood test when you arrive to seeing that you leave safely with your new expedited passport, should the original get stolen (this really happened).

The negative parts: Yes, the courses are taught in Russian, but even if you only have a year or two of Russian, you'll be pleasantly surprized at how much you probably already understand. Don't worry about the course work. Don't! The bad part is that you're separated from the rest of the school into CIEE-exclusive groups. You're studying with other Americans, and therefore will speak English. Like people have said about living with a non-English-speaking homestay, if you really want to take advantage of your time here, you'll speak as little English as possible, which is *less* possible when you're surrounded by American friends *all* the time. This is probably the only fault I find with CIEE, that the program, by isolating you with the other participants, makes it harder for you to make international friends. It was also about twice as expensive as directly enrolling, but considering the places you'll go and the things you'll see, AND the support you get, it was worth it.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate.

Nomi