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Program information

UARA Graduation Day at St.Petersburg State

UA Russian Abroad Programs

Program History
The UA Russian Abroad programs are an outreach effort of the Department of Russian and Slavic Languages of the University of Arizona, which accepts students of Russian on all levels of instruction. Currently administered by the UA Study Abroad office, these programs were initiated in 1971 and are directed by Professor Del Phillips, veteran of well over 150 trips to Russia and the former Soviet Union. Alumni of our programs come from over 110 colleges and universities throughout the US., Canada, and Europe. We began initially with summer travel programs and have expanded to the current nine programs per year, which include both summer, semester, and academic year language and business internship programs. The following information will acquaint you with the current level of UA Russian Abroad offerings for 2009.

1. LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION PROGRAM - MOSCOW
Summer Session I: May 23 - July 2, 2008
Summer Session II: June 28 - August 2, 2008
Fall Semester Program: September 13 - December 14, 2008
Spring Semester Program: January 23 - April 26, 2009
Academic Year Program: September 13, 2008 - May 2, 2009
We accept students at all levels of Russian language instruction. Participants who place on the third year level of Russian receive 20 hours per week of instruction in the areas of grammar, composition, conversation, phonetics, newspaper reading, literature and film. Beginners or students who place in the first or second year level of Russian will also receive 20 hours of instruction each week in the areas of conversation, phonetics and grammar. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of our Moscow programs is the two-hour weekly tutorial during which each student works with an instructor on an individual one - on - one basis. In addition to basic instructional time, participants also have the opportunity to visit local sites of importance as well as attend concerts and cultural events.

Our academic curriculum at GRINT focuses up preparing participants to achieve an official proficiency rating on the new Russian State TRKI Exams (Testy Russkogo yazika Kak Inostrannogo). Anyone wishing to study in a Russian institution of higher learning and take the same courses as Russian students must rate Certificate I on the TRKI exam. The TRKI test scores are acquiring increasing importance for anyone wishing to study or work in Russia. Our UARA programs are an excellent opportunity for participants to work toward attaining that all-important proficiency rating which is an excellent resume enhancement. The TRKI tests are given at GRINT (an official test center) each semester and at end of the summer.

University of Arizona Russian Abroad is pleased to be affiliated with the GRINT Language Center of the Moscow Humanities University (MHU). MHU is fully accredited by th Russian Federation State Committee for Higher Education.

The MHU faculty consists of 200 scholars and researchers, including 40 professors, doctors of science and 40 PhDs in 14 departments, 5 laboratories and a research center who provide training in the following fields: psychology, sociology, cultural studies and law, history, business and management, and social work.

MHU is situated on 150 acres of land within the city limits of Moscow. There are over 20 buildings on its territory. The Academy's buildings are modern and well equipped, reflecting a privileged past as the High Party School for the Young Communist League. The recreation facilities include cafes and cafeteria, an indoor swimming pool, basketball court, gym, sauna, tennis court, soccer field, and, in the winter, cross-country skiing within the MHU's grounds. In reality, it is very much like a typical small private liberal arts college in the United States.

Participants will have the opportunity to socialize with Russian students at MHU and sit in on all-Russian classes if they so wish. We also have our own special lecture series (in Russian with simultaneous English translation) offered by specialists from the Moscow region. Typical lecture topics concern such diverse topics as Social and Demographic problems of the New Russia, the Current Russian Political System, Reforms, Mass Media, Doing Business in Russia, etc. Participants will have an opportunity to visit the Russian Parliament and interview a member of the Duma.

2. LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION PROGRAM
IN ST. PETERSBURG
- Summer session I only
An outstanding feature of our summer language programs is the opportunity for participants to study in the two major Russian cities. The first session is spent at St. Petersburg State University (May23-June 28, 2008). The program then moves to Moscow for summer session II (June28 - August 2, 2008). One may register for either or both sessions.

The St. Petersburg academic program in 2008 will be coordinated by the St. Petersburg State University Russian Language Center. The Petersburg academic program will be coordinated by Professor Nina Petrovna Koloyartseva, recognized as one of the leading methodologists in Russia today. Nina Petrovna is a veteran of over 35 years of experience teaching Russian to foreign students and instructors. She is the author of over 30 publications in the area of Russian as a foreign language, and has coordinated many academic programs for American universities and institutes.

3. BUSINESS INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS IN MOSCOW
Spring and Fall Semester Program, Summer Sessions I and II
If you are in third or fourth-year Russian you will receive 15 academic hours of instruction per week in the area of conversation, grammar, phonetics, and Russian business terminology. Two instructional hours are tutorials during which you will work with your chief instructor on a on-to-one basis. If you are a first or second year Russian student you will receive instruction in the areas of grammar, conversation and phonetics. Business Interns also engage in a full excursion/concert/event program furnished by UARA.

If you wish to do an internship you submit a resume and personal statement along with an application for the UARA Internship program. On the basis of this resume, you will be placed in an internship with a Moscow firm. The internship coordinator makes these placements based on the content of your resume and demonstrated qualifications. The internship usually occupies approximately 20 hours of your time per week.

The UARA program arranges intenships through an internship coordinator in Moscow at MHU. Internships are available for the summer program and for each semester. If you are interested in obtaining an internship placement, please prepare and submit a detailed resume along with a cover letter that states your particular interests. Tell us if you would like to work with a paticular firm. Give several alternatives. Unfortunately, no particular internship can be guaranteed. In your personal statement cover letter, indicate what you would like to gain from your internship. What are your career interests? What kind of jobs have you held? What are your career goals? If your only goal is permanent employment, please do not apply! Please keep in mind that this is an internship program and not a job placement service. This program has helped many people move toward employment, but job placement cannot be guaranteed.

Your resume should include a list of any special skills you may possess, especially computer knowledge. It is extremely helpful if you have the ability to use Russian in the real world (as opposed to knowing "about" Russian). Be sure to include your level of Russian language competency in your cover letter or resume. In order to be successful in an internship, you must be strongly motivated. Be prepared for long hours and a lot of work. Internships will be as rewarding as you make them. Firms in Moscow present unlimited possibilities for those who are ready to meet the challenge.

Following is an updated list of companies that have been willing to work with an intern in the past. Placements with many other companies are possible. Unfortunately, no particular place of work can be absolutely guaranteed. Within your cover letter, include a list of at least five companies where you would like to work. Our internship coordinator will begin by attempting to place you in one of these. Again, keep in mind that no particular placement is certain until you have arrived in Russia and interviewed for the position. We will do everything possible to find you a good internship. It is up to you to get the most out of your experience.

4. INSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
The language of all instruction is Russian, with the exception of classes for beginners in which grammar explanations will be in English. Students on all levels of Russian competency are accepted and are placed in small groups immediately after arrival in St. Petersburg or Moscow.

Instructional materials are generated by our Russian instructors with the approval and close cooperation of the UA program director. Russian instructional personnel come from St. Petersburg State University, Moscow University, the Pushkin Institute, and other institutions in St. Petersburg and Moscow. All instructors are especially trained in the teaching of Russian to foreigners and have received excellent evaluations from previous participants. Most instructors have been with these programs for ten years or longer.

5. GETTING INTO THE PROGRAM
Students are selected for participation in the UA Russian Abroad programs on the basis of academic recommendations and previous scholastic records. The UA requires a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for any student participating in a study-abroad program. However, extenuating circumstances, combined with strong academic recommendations will be considered. We are interested in finding earnest participants who will benefit from the program and who will be good ambassadors of this country.

6. ORIENTATION
All students accepted into the program receive our "Krasnaya Kniga", or "Red Book," an orientation guide which is updated on a yearly basis and contains information aimed at minimizing culture shock and maximizing the value of a participant's stay in Russia. Immediately upon arrival in Russia there will be a group orientation meeting. Program information is posted daily by the group leader in Russia.

7. PLACEMENT
Placement in instructional groups is based upon a grammar pre-test and short oral interview conducted by the Russian staff. These are very nice people. There is nothing to fear! Final post-testing is utilized to determine course grades and to chart improvement levels. You will receive credit on the level, which you need. For example, students who have completed one year of Russian at their home school will receive credit at the 2nd year level through UARA.

8. CREDIT
All summer session participants receive 6 units of UA credit per summer session. Semester participants receive 15 units of UA credit per semester. Please note that this is actual UA credit, not transfer credit from the Russian institution.

9. EVALUATION
Course grades are determined on the basis of attendance, participation, homework, and progress. We cannot stress enough the importance of class attendance. Without exception, students who have not done well in these courses have had poor attendance records. All participants are asked to fill out a program evaluation at the end of each term. Each program is reevaluated and changes are made on the basis of these participant comments.

UA Russian Abroad language programs are intended primarily to help participants become more proficient in their ability to use Russian in the real world. The above applies to our business programs as well, of which it is our aim to help participants improve their conversational and business Russian as well as to gain work experience, improve their resumes, and develop contacts which will increase opportunities for employment.

10. HOUSING IN MOSCOW
Participants in the Moscow programs may choose to live in our recently totally refurbished dormitory housing on the beautiful MHU campus. Our students live in their own so-called "sector" which consists of an anteroom, 8 bedrooms, bath, showers, washer, etc. A typical room contains two beds, study tables, chairs and wardrobes or built-in closets. Each sector has its own anteroom with television and telephone. Linens are provided (although you might want to bring your own towel since Russian towels tend to be very small). Each room has an internet connection so that residents no longer need to go searching for an internet cafe. The internet connection is fast enough that participants may use SKYPE and connect very inexpensively with their significant others in the USA. Dorm residents receive a meal ticket for 10 meals per week in the student cafeteria (all you can eat!). For the other meals they may practice their cooking skills and use the ample and large kitchen found in their sector!

Participants may also choose to live in a homestay, most of which are near campus, accessible by subway or bus, and provide a single room plus two meals per day seven days per week. All facilities are provided (bedding, television, telephone, etc.) and your homestay hostess will cook! The friendly homestay atmosphere allows our students to improve their Russian in a relaxed and natural way. This popular form of accomodation offers limitless opportunity to practice and improve one's Russian. Homestays are chosen carefully and are used repeatedly, so chances of getting a good one are excellent!

11. HOUSING IN ST. PETERSBURG
Our St. Petersburg language group will be living in the Chaika, a dormitory - hotel for foreign students and other visitors at St. Petersburg State University. The Chaika is located on Vasilyevsky Island adjacent to the banks of the Gulf of Finland (Metro Primorskaya) at 3 Kapitanskaya Street. Residents of the Chaika live in double-occupancy two and three room suites, each of which contains a small kitchenette and bath. Each room contains two beds, study, table and chairs, built-in closets and a television. Bed linens are provided, but you must bring your own bath towels. Dormitory residents receive a ruble stipend which is intended to cover two meals per day seven days per week. There are several good grocery stores, a pizzeria, etc., within close walking distance of the Chaika. The Chaika has one computer in the lobby which links residents with the internet.

Participants in our St. Petersburg program may also choose homestays which are located throughout the city. The homestay hostess provides two meals per day seven days per week.

Since classes are held in the former Smolny Institute at the opposite end of town, the University provides a bus which transports students to school each day (You find your own way back on various forms of public transportation!). Participants will meet many interesting people from all corners of the world while living in the Chaika. If you wish to go downtown, the nearest metro station, Primorskaya, is just a 3-minute bus ride away.

12. HOMESTAYS
Our programs also offer students desiring a complete immersion experience the opportunity to live with a Russian family in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the Homestay you receive one meal per day. While it will allow you to immerse yourself in the life and language of the Russian people, homestay participants are more isolated from the group. So if you enjoy group camaraderie, the summer homestay option might not be for you!

13. CULTURAL PROGRAM
In St. Petersburg, participants are offered an excursion each week. In the past our excursions consisted of a city tour, Catherine's Palace in Pushkin, the city of Novgorod, Lenin's office in Smolny, a boat trip on the Neva, and a visit to the Piskarevskoye Cemetery. In addition participants will receive at least 3 tickets to cultural events (chosen from theater tickets, opera, ballet, the Philharmonic, circus, etc.).

14. TRAVEL
Our summer program in Petersburg includes an excursion to Moscow at the end of the program. Train transportation from Petersburg to Moscow is included in the cost of the program. Option 2 participants receive 3 nights in the dorm at MHU, 3 breakfasts, and a city tour. The rest of the time they are free to explore the city on their own. Please note that if you are participating in Option 4 your air ticket must be issued so that you arrive in St. Petersburg on May 24 (departure from the States on May 23), and depart from Moscow on August 2nd.

15. COSTS AND PROVISIONS
In the dormitory-hotel you receive a ruble stipend for two meals per day. In the homestay you receive one meal per day with your Russian host family. Dormitory lodging is in double rooms; homestay students have their own single rooms. The program includes also full academic program, excursions, cultural program, Russian invitation, visa and all relevant departure taxes, as well as the services of your group leader always on site with the group. Summer programs include 6 units of direct UA credit for each program. Semester participants receive 15 units of UA credit per session.

17. DEADLINES
Because of airline scheduling we MUST receive your application NO LATER THAN six weeks before the departure of each group. Summer groups have a tendency to fill up long before that time!

DEADLINES FOR 2008

Option #1 (Spring Semester, Language Program and Business Internship Program, Moscow)

NOVEMBER 15, 2007

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Options #2, 2a, 4, 5, 5a (All summer language programs except Option #3)

APRIL 1, 2008

* * * * * * * * * *

Option #3 (Summer Session II, Language Program, Moscow only)

MAY 15, 2008

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Option #6, 6a, 7, 7a (Fall Semester program and Academic Year program, Moscow)

JULY 15, 2008

18. FINANCIAL AID
You apply for financial aid at your home institution where you are matriculated for a degree. This financial aid maybe transferred to UA through a "Consortium Agreement." (Check with your financial aid office to see if your school offers such a possibility. Most schools do!) University of Arizona students may apply for the UA Study Abroad Travel Scholarship, which is competitive and has specific deadlines for Fall, Spring, and Summer travel programs. Check with the Study Abroad office for applications and eligibility requirements. In addition, applicants should check with their study abroad office at their home institution concerning the possibility of receiving NSEP funding for these programs.

AIT Information Systems
American Chamber of Commerce
Arthur Anderson
Cargill Enterprises
Charity Aid Foundation
Clifford Chance
Coopers & Lybrand
Coca-Cola
Digital
Ernst & Young
Eurasia Foundation
Greenpeace
General Electric
IMF
Internet newspaper "Gazeta.ru"
Master Foods
Moscow Guardian
Moscow Conservatory
Moscow Times
Otis Elevator Company
The Moscow Tribune
Pepsi
Philip Morris
Radio Maximum
Radio station "Stantsiya 2000"
Reebok
RMCI
Russian Life Magazine
Synergy International Systems
US West
World Bank