Dickinson in Russia

Moscow, Russia

The city of Moscow, founded in 1167, is now a modern center for international trade with more than 10 million inhabitants. It has retained much of its old-world character, including many opulent buildings capped with the traditional "onion domes" often associated with the city.

Moscow honors its rich literary tradition and has preserved the homes of some of the world's best writers, including Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Chekhov. The arts remain an integral part of daily life for many Muscovites, who take full advantage of inexpensive tickets for live dance, music and theatre performances. In the post-Soviet era, Russia exhibits a vibrant, creative spirit, visible in radical new theatre productions and audible in the rap and world-beat music heard on the streets.

Dickinson's Moscow program gives students the opportunity to develop their language skills and explore one of the world's most exciting and fascinating countries.

Russian State University for the Humanities

Students study at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH) in the heart of Moscow, where they also can take advantage of museums, theatre, film and other cultural activities. RSUH was formed in 1991 when the Moscow Public University and Moscow State Institute for History and Archives merged; it currently serves more than 5,000 students.

Academics

For the successful completion of a semester on the Moscow program, participants can receive up to 4.5 credits, applicable to the Russian major or minor. Students who complete an academic year of study normally can expect to receive eight or nine course credits at Dickinson.

Although course offerings may vary from year to year, the following classes are typically offered: Russian Language in Context
Writing Workshop
Topics in Russian Studies
Intellectual, Historical, and Cultural Aspects of Russian Orthodoxy
Visual and Performing Arts in Russia
Russia Today
Research Project in Russian History or Politics (The independent research project is carried out in conjunction with a course on Russian history or politics taught at RSUH in Russian.)

Additional opportunities, such as studying other languages, participating in internships and teaching English, also may be arranged. Student learning is supported by language tutorials arranged through the university.

Excursions

The program includes travel to other areas of this vast country, including St. Petersburg and the cities of the Golden Ring. During semester breaks, participants also have arranged excursions to Siberia and the Black Sea. Program excursions enhance the material participants are learning in the classroom and provide students with more opportunities for interaction with the host culture.

On-Site Administration

An on-site resident director administers the academic program and provides support and advisement to students in close communication with the Dickinson on-campus coordinator. The resident director also plans a rich cultural program and accompanies group excursions. She carefully selects and serves as a liaison with home-stay families.

Housing

While in Moscow, each student lives with a specially selected family. This gives participants a unique opportunity to speak Russian in a casual setting. Students and families learn from one another and often forge lifelong friendships.

Quick Facts

                                                Dates                                                 Program Fee*                   Application Deadline
Academic Year                 late Aug. to late May                   $51,600                                   Feb. 15
Fall                                         late Aug. to mid-Dec.                  $25,800                                   Feb. 15
Spring                                   late Jan. to late May                    $25,800                                   Sept. 15

* This is the program fee for 2010-2011; the program fee for 2011-2012 will correspond to on-campus tuition and fees and will be determined during spring 2011.

Program Fee Includes

• tuition and fees
• room and board
• visa costs above $250
• pre-departure and on-site orientations
• academic excursions

The program fee does not include primary health insurance, airfare, passport, immunizations, optional travel, personal expenses, meals and housing during vacations, books or supplies.

Special Requirements

2.8 GPA
Students must complete at least four semesters of college-level Russian before studying abroad

Links

 
Past Dickinson in Russia Blog
Moscow Handbook  
Moscow Student Budget Sheet  
Russian State University for the Humanities  

For more information, contact:

Prof. Elena Duzs, On-Campus Coordinator
Department of Russian
Dickinson College
P.O. Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
Phone: (717) 245-1276
E-mail: duzs@dickinson.edu