All BRLI participants attend a 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, strategies to maximize language gain, and key survival phrases in Russian. Participants have a chance to meet and get to know their resident directors, fellow participants, … Read more
A full-time U.S. resident director in each city oversees the academic and cultural program; assists participants in academic, administrative and personal matters; and serves as a liaison between university faculty, administrators, host families, and participants. American Councils resident directors stay in close contact with the Washington office, carry cell phones, and can be reached twenty-four … Read more
Many colleges and universities provide financial aid for participation in American Councils programs. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship may be applicable to this program. The online application is now available at the Gilman Program website: www.iie.org/gilman. American Councils provides limited merit scholarships to outstanding students on this program. All applicants are considered for merit … Read more
One day a week of the academic program is set aside for travel to local sights of social, cultural, and historical significance. All excursions are mandatory for summer participants. Resident directors arrange all excursions and accompany the group; Russian faculty, host families, and tutors also routinely join American students. Possible excursion destinations in Moscow include … Read more
All Contemporary Russia participants are enrolled in a Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) plan that provides up to $50,000 per accident or illness with a $25 deductible. The plan also provides for emergency medical evacuations. © American Councils Study Abroad Programs, All Rights Reserved. | Legal
Contemporary Russia students will have the opportunity to meet with Russian tutors twice a week. In addition to valuable academic support, peer tutors provide an important opportunity for U.S. students to meet their contemporaries in the increasingly fast-paced, cosmopolitan culture of Moscow today. American Councils recruits tutors for the Contemporary Russia program from the Moscow … Read more
The academic program features approximately twenty-four hours per week of in-class instruction; roughly six of which are dedicated to Russian-language study. All area studies classes are conducted in English. Area studies courses are designed to give U.S. students an in-depth understanding of some of the most pressing issues currently affecting Russia, including the problems of … Read more
Moscow, once draped in Soviet symbols, has readily adopted the trappings of capitalism and is now replete with neon billboards and shopping malls. Decidedly the center of political and economic power, the capital now rivals St. Petersburg in culture and the arts. The Contemporary Russia Program is hosted by the State University: Moscow Higher School … Read more
Program participants live with Russian families. All host families provide private rooms, telephone access, and keys for their American guests. Families hosting non-Russian speakers will be conversant in English. Living with a host family immerses program participants in everyday life, while offering some of the comforts of home. In addition to providing two meals per … Read more
A full-time U.S. resident director oversees the academic and cultural program; assists participants in academic, administrative, and personal matters; and serves as a liaison between university faculty, administrators, host families, and participants. American Councils resident directors stay in close contact with the Washington office, carry cell phones, and can be reached twenty-four hours per day. … Read more