Programs in Russia
Advanced Russian Language & Area Studies Program (RLASP)
One of the longest-running and most respected Russian language and cultural immersion programs, RLASP combines intensive classroom instruction with a wide range of extracurricular activities, including internships and community service, regional field studies, conversation partners, and discussion groups with local students. The program is designed to improve participants' oral, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in Russian language and to develop their knowledge of history, politics, culture, and society of the region. Learn More →
- Locations: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladimir
- Academic Focus: Russian language and cultural immersion; regional studies
- Program Periods: Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer (8 weeks)
- Prerequisite: At least two semesters of college-level Russian language instruction; minimum GPA of 2.7; good academic standing
Business Russian Language & Internship Program (BRLI)
Combining intensive language classes and substantive internships in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Almaty, Kazakhstan, BRLI gives students invaluable insight into the global workplace and prepares them to use Russian in a professional context. Program features include homestays, weekly excursions, travel to other regions of the host country, conversation partners, and a wide range of opportunities to pursue hobbies and personal interests. Learn More →
- Locations: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Moscow, St. Petersburg
- Academic Focus: Russian language; business topics; professional work and language experience
- Program Periods: Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer (8 weeks)
- Prerequisite: At least four semesters of college-level Russian language instruction; minimum GPA of 2.7; good academic standing
Overseas Professional & Intercultural Training Program (OPIT)
Through OPIT's eight-week, English-language internships, students gain the substantive overseas professional experience and intercultural communication skills demanded by today's global market. American Councils on-site staff arrange internship placements and provide ongoing support to participants. Internships in a wide range of fields including business, democracy building, human rights, education, science, technology, gender issues, journalism, public health, environmental protection, and social services are available throughout 20 countries of Eurasia, Southeast Europe, and the Baltics. No foreign-language study is required. Learn More →
- Locations: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine
- Academic Focus: various professional internship disciplines; intercultural skills
- Program Period: Summer (8 weeks)
- Prerequisite: good academic standing; minimum GPA of 2.7; no foreign language skills required
Politics & Public Diplomacy in Contemporary Russia Program
Designed to give participants new insights into the country today, the Politics & Public Diplomacy in Contemporary Russia program explores regional developments and conflict, economic and political reforms under Vladimir Putin, the role of mass media in society, and new cultural phenomena shaping today's Russia. The five-week summer program at Moscow International University also offers Russian language and cultural excursions. Learn More →
- Location: Moscow
- Academic Focus: Public diplomacy; regional conflict; mass media; economic and political reforms; Russian language study at all levels
- Program Period: Summer (5 weeks)
- Prerequisite: good academic standing; minimum GPA of 2.7; no prior knowledge of Russian language required
Russian Heritage Speakers Program
The Russian Heritage Speakers Program is designed to address the unique challenges faced by students who grew up speaking Russian in the U.S. Through intensive, individualized instruction and cultural immersion activities, the program enables heritage speakers to make rapid gains in speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. Program features include homestays, weekly excursions, travel to other regions of the host country, conversation partners, and a wide range of opportunities to pursue hobbies and personal interests in a Russian context. Learn More →
- Locations: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladimir
- Academic Focus: Individualized Russian language instruction; cultural immersion and area studies
- Program Periods: Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer (8 weeks)
- Prerequisite: must be a Russian heritage speaker; minimum GPA of 2.7; good academic standing
Summer Russian Language Teacher Program
The Summer Russian Language Teacher Program is designed to accommodate the particular professional interests and needs of teachers or Russian, incorporating grammar and conversation courses with lectures and workshops in culture and civilization, literature, and foreign language pedagogy.Learn More →
- Location: St. Petersburg
- Academic Focus: Intensive Russian language instruction; cultural immersion; pedagogy
- Program Period: Summer (4 weeks)
- Prerequisite: U.S. citizen or permanent resident; currently teaching Russian at the university, high school, or grade school level, or graduate students of Russian who plan to pursue a career in teaching
Customized & Faculty-Led Programs
In addition to administering its own high-quality overseas programs, American Councils offers a wide range of services to support customized and faculty-led programs for U.S. institutions of higher education. With a network of over 35 overseas offices and 400 host-country nationals and expatriate staff members around the globe, American Councils is well-equipped to help design an overseas program for your students. Learn More →
- Locations: Offered in over 30 different countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
- Academic Focus: Language; culture and regional studies
- Program Period: Determined by program specifications
