Study Abroad question
Sep. 26th, 2008 10:24 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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learn_russianПривет всем!
I have a few questions about studying abroad in Russia this coming spring semester (January - May). If anyone has actually been on any of these programs or knows anything about them, I would really appreciate first-hand feedback!
To give an idea of my Russian level, I've taken 3 years officially at the university level (including doing all of 2nd year over the summer of 2007 in St. Petersburg).
The programs I'm strongly looking into are the Middlebury program in Moscow (through MGGU or something like that... Russian State University of Humanities I think), the ACTR program in Moscow, or the Bard-Smolny program in St. Petersburg.
I absolutely fell in love with St. Petersburg while I was there, but I got to see so much of it that I'd feel weird spending 4 months there and not in Moscow, which I've never been to and would probably end up living in if I got a job in Russia (as a Political Science/IR guy, it makes sense). Piter works better for graduation, but Moscow is Moscow.
Anyone have anything to say about this? I'd really like to hear what you all have to say, even if it's very anecdotal or personal opinions... those tend to speak volumes!
Also if anyone has any points they'd like to mention to an American thinking about spending Jan-May in Russia (although I've already spent June-August there once), it'd be much appreciated!
ETA: I should have mentioned this earlier, but assume that the 3 programs I mentioned were my only options. Because of things like graduating on time and receiving financial aid, I can only do programs that are approved by my school for credit, of which there are 5 (the three that i mentioned, CIEE St. Pete which I've heard is horrible, and one in Moscow for actors). Thanks for all the other suggestions though!
I have a few questions about studying abroad in Russia this coming spring semester (January - May). If anyone has actually been on any of these programs or knows anything about them, I would really appreciate first-hand feedback!
To give an idea of my Russian level, I've taken 3 years officially at the university level (including doing all of 2nd year over the summer of 2007 in St. Petersburg).
The programs I'm strongly looking into are the Middlebury program in Moscow (through MGGU or something like that... Russian State University of Humanities I think), the ACTR program in Moscow, or the Bard-Smolny program in St. Petersburg.
I absolutely fell in love with St. Petersburg while I was there, but I got to see so much of it that I'd feel weird spending 4 months there and not in Moscow, which I've never been to and would probably end up living in if I got a job in Russia (as a Political Science/IR guy, it makes sense). Piter works better for graduation, but Moscow is Moscow.
Anyone have anything to say about this? I'd really like to hear what you all have to say, even if it's very anecdotal or personal opinions... those tend to speak volumes!
Also if anyone has any points they'd like to mention to an American thinking about spending Jan-May in Russia (although I've already spent June-August there once), it'd be much appreciated!
ETA: I should have mentioned this earlier, but assume that the 3 programs I mentioned were my only options. Because of things like graduating on time and receiving financial aid, I can only do programs that are approved by my school for credit, of which there are 5 (the three that i mentioned, CIEE St. Pete which I've heard is horrible, and one in Moscow for actors). Thanks for all the other suggestions though!
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Date: 2008-10-07 11:39 am (UTC)As to ACTR, I do believe it is a very good introduction program, giving you lots of cultural experience, an opportunity to study the ins and outs of dealing with hangover, and some Russian language skills to boot. OK, seriously - the teachers are great; the problem is that the students are usually not really into studying (which is probably true for all students anywhere, but in ACTR the power is in numbers).
That said I've only heard good things about ACTR's postgrad research programs.
People who went to Middlebury said the program was good and thorough, even if a little boring and.. promoting an elitist holier-than-thou attitude. I've also heard they're not too good in terms of helping students integrate into university life, enroll in other courses, deal with administration, etc.
Just out of curiosity, howe much are these programs these days?