All Contemporary Russia participants attend an extensive pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. at the start of their program. Orientation sessions address health and safety, Russian academic culture, host-family life, culture shock, foreign language study, and key survival phrases in Russian. Participants have a chance to meet and get to know their resident director and fellow participants during the orientation program. Students are housed in three-person rooms in a downtown hotel, a short walk from the American Councils Washington office. The group departs with the resident director for Russia from Washington, D.C. at the end of the orientation program. Lodging and meals are provided.