Designed to give participants new insight into the country today, Contemporary Russia explores regional geopolitical developments and diplomacy, economic and political reforms under Vladimir Putin, the role of the mass media in society, and new cultural phenomena shaping today’s Russia. While events in Russia since the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union have often filled … Read more

Are you working as a K-12 or university-level Russian teacher? Are you a graduate student studying to become a Russian teacher? The Summer Russian Language Teachers Program provides fellowship support for Russian teachers and graduate students to study Russian language, pedagogy, and culture at the Russian State Pedagogical University (Herzen) in St. Petersburg for a … Read more

RLASP serves both graduate and undergraduate students as well as working professionals. The academic year, semester, and summer programs provide approximately 20 hours per week of in-class instruction in Russian grammar, phonetics, conversation, and cultural studies at Moscow International University, the Russian State Pedagogical University (Herzen Institute) in St. Petersburg, and the KORA Center for … Read more

Credit for work completed on American Councils programs is issued through Bryn Mawr College. American Councils will submit one transcript request per participant at the conclusion of the program. Program alumni may request transcripts at any time, however, at no additional cost. To request additional transcripts, print out a transcript request form from the Bryn … Read more

Unfortunately, my time abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia is coming to an end. It is crazy to think that I have less than three weeks left with a city I’ve fallen in love with. Though I am excited to return home and share my experience with friends and family, I will surely miss St. Petersburg, … Read more

Admissions Admission to all American Councils Russian Language Programs is competitive and is based on Russian language ability, academic record, personal essays, and references. An outside panel of Russian language professionals reviews applications and selects the finalists. American Councils Outbound staff may interview applicants as part of the admissions process. Acceptance into the program is … Read more

BRLI combines a specially designed curriculum focusing on the language of Russian business with an internship averaging ten to fifteen hours per week at a multinational company, business, or non-governmental organization agency in Russia. Moscow International University and the Russian State Pedagogical (Herzen) University in St. Petersburg host this program; students may apply to study … Read more

It is conventional wisdom that under the Putin regime, anti-American sentiments have skyrocketed. The reasons for these are varied, ranging from the shortcomings of American foreign policy to a stereotypical culture of arrogance that is believed to be pervasive in American citizens about their country. There is also the assumption that the propaganda machine of … Read more

When I first told my family I would be spending the summer in Russia, they were a bit confused, to say the least. “Do you really have to go that far?” was my dad’s initial response. I couldn’t be too disappointed in their reactions, because the truth was that I was feeling a bit hesitant … Read more

The health and safety of participants abroad is of utmost importance to American Councils. Our staff takes great care preparing for all program contingencies and have put into place numerous procedures and policies that ensure the well-being of participants on our programs, including: Employing knowledgeable resident directors and overseas staff to assist participants and provide … Read more