The summer program in St. Petersburg, Russia, allows students to experience firsthand a new and interesting culture. Russia is the meeting point of eastern and western cultures, which provides a unique experience to all of its visitors. Through instruction both in the classroom and on a variety of excursions, as well as conversations with Russian students, participants will gain a new appreciation for Russian culture.
One of the world's most beautiful cities, St. Petersburg has all the ingredients for an unforgettable travel experience: high art, lavish architecture, wild nightlife, an extraordinary history and rich cultural traditions that have inspired and nurtured some of the modern world's greatest literature, music, and visual art. From the mysterious twilight of the White Nights to world-beating opera and ballet productions on magical winter evenings, St. Petersburg charms and entices in every season.
In addition to the class on the introduction to Russian language and culture, and the master class, students will take one of the following courses:
Russia Today (CAP:159) – 3 hrs. A summer study-abroad and experiential learning course in Russia that allows students to experience contemporary Russia from various perspectives, including geography, politics, religion, history, the arts and sciences, economics, business, visual and material culture (i.e., visits to museums, monuments, churches, palaces, etc.) and popular culture (i.e., festivals, television, music, film, market, etc.). A central component of the course will be students’ individual investigations into aspects of contemporary Russia that relate to their academic majors.
Russia/Soviet Union (680:121) – 3 hrs. Interdisciplinary examination of the culture, history, geography, economy, political system, and society of Russia and the Soviet Union, with an emphasis on the fine arts. This course will include excursions to the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the Summer Palace (Peterhof), St. Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral; tours of St. Petersburg focused on writers (Dostoevsky, Pushkin), musicians (Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov), artists (and architects); as well as several concerts, tours of other churches, palaces, country estates, excursions to Staraya Ladoga, Oreshek, and other cultural activities.
Students will be housed in the student dormitory on Kazanskaia #6. This location is in the center or the city and provides a great opportunity for students to see much of the city. Breakfast and lunch will be served at the dormitory cafe. Accomodation and the two meals are included in the program costs.
Total cost of the trip consists of tuition, program costs, and transportation - Tuition: Participants register and pay for 6 hours of UNI credit ($1,530 in 2010); Program Cost: program costs are about $2,000, which includes all program expenses; Transportation: round trip airfare and in-country bus and metro expenses. Additional costs may include obtaining a passport, health insurance, and other personal expenses abroad not assosciated with the trip. Scholarships are available through the Study Abroad Center (Gilchrist Hall 28)
I loved the Petersburg program and learned so much more about Russian culture than I could ever have learned by just sitting in a classroom. We toured museums, saw plays, went to festivals, and even managed a trip to the opera, circus, and a few puppet theaters! A large part of the program was learning about real culture and in order to do this we also spent some time meeting and talking to some Russian students. I met some great people over there as a result, and still keep in contact with them. In the end we found out that despite living on opposite sides of the world we have more in common than we could ever have imagined.
- Chelsea, Summer 2010
