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Program Overview

Special informational Sessions will be offered for students interested in the program. Program Director, Dr. Nisula and Study Abroad Specialist, Anastassia Kaml will be available to answer your questions and talk about the trip  to Russia for summer I, 2013.

The Russian Language and Culture Tour is designed to provide a short-term, intensive language and cultural experience for students in contemporary Russia. Participants study at the prestigious Herzen State Pedagogical University in St. Petersburg established more than 200 years ago and considered as one of the Russian Federation's leading universities. Weather and schedules permitting, instruction in the classroom will be enhanced by two to three cultural events or excursions weekly to historic and cultural sites in St. Petersburg and the surrounding region, including the State Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace located along the River Neva. Participating students will also have the opportunity to take part in occasional informal discussions with an English-speaking Russian graduate student on topics concerning daily life. The main university campus is located in the city historic center, a short walking distance to Nevsky Prospect- the Times Square of St. Petersburg with its vibrant cosmopolitan life.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM OF STUDY at HERZEN UNIVERSITY
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, SUMMER I 2013

- Daily morning language classes per week
- Daily afternoon culture classes per week with excursions to various historical and cultural sites

- Campus tours, visits to the University and Public Library
  -    Independent exploration of downtown cultural sites
- Exposure to nearby student hangouts
- Student pass for the Hermitage museum
      -  Discussion sessions with Russian students
         from the American Center

- Weekend theater and/or concert - to be determined by the Group
- Optional out of town excursion
- Daily practice of interacting with local population while shopping, dining, riding the bus or the metro

- Final schedule of classes and activities will be available later on this semester


For questions, write to Professor dasha.nisula@wmich.edu
Or call at 269-387-3005


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Location

Saint Petersburg (commonly known as Piter) is a vibrant city located on the Neva River at the east end of the Gulf of Finland in northwestern Russia. Formerly known as Petrograd and Leningrad, the city was founded in 1703 by Emperor Peter the Great as a window to Europe. St. Petersburg served as the capital of the Russian Empire for more than two hundred years until the capital was moved to Moscow after the Russian Revolution of 1917.

With dozens of islands and more than 500 bridges spanning the city's many rivers, St. Petersburg resembles Amsterdam and Venice, and its palaces, wide avenues and public squares are reminiscent of those found in London and Paris. With a current population of 4.7 million, Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city, Europe's fourth largest city, a major European cultural center, and the most important Russian port on the Baltic. The city has a total area of 1439 square km, which makes it the second biggest city in terms of area among cities with over a million inhabitants in Europe, after London.

The program includes a sightseeing trip to Moscow, the capital of Russia and the country's principal political, economic, financial, educational, and transportation center. Moscow was the capital of the former Soviet Union and Muscovite Russia, the pre-Imperial Russian state and home of the famous Kremlin, which now serves as the ceremonial residence of the President.

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Academics

Academic Eligibility
Good Academic Standing. Undergraduate and Graduate Students. Various Majors Welcomed  

Academic Credit
Students selected to study at Herzen State Pedagogical University will participate in a Russian Language and Russian Studies program that features instruction in intensive Russian language and an introduction to Russian literature, music, art, history and current politics. Students will earn three (3) credit hours of RUSS 4770, other courses are subject to departmental approval.  No previous study of Russian language is required. This program begins in Summer I and finishes on approx. June 30.  Participants will be enrolled for credit in Summer I 2013. 

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Cost & Financial Aid

Cost
Program fee for 2013 program is 3,095.00 billed to WMU student account.
The program fee includes: fees, airport and train transfers, health insurance, and room and board. Not included: airfare, passport, visa and personal expenses. Students should plan for extra expenses, such as public transportation and personal spending money.

Financial Aid
Students who are eligible for federal or state financial aid may use their awards for studying abroad. After a student has been accepted to the program, he/she must complete required paperwork with the Financial Aid staff in order to apply financial aid to the program costs. It is the students responsibility to complete the paperwork prior to departure and to maintain compliance with financial aid regulations while studying abroad (i.e., remain enrolled full-time).

Scholarships
This program is eligible for the Haenicke Institute for Global Education Study Abroad Scholarship. Students should also check their eligibility for the Arts and Sciences Study Abroad scholarship.

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Housing

Program students will be hosted at Herzen University Dorms which are located near  the campus and right in the heart of St. Petersburg, off Nevsky Prospect. Nevsky Prospect is the main artery of central St. Petersburg, surrounded by shops, close to the Hermitage and the Neva. Herzen hotel for foreign students offers occupancy in double rooms.

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Additional Resources

Program Faculty Director:
Dr. Dasha Nisula
Professor and Advisor in Russian and World Literature
Department of Foreign Languages
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5338
E-mail: dasha.nisula@wmich.edu
Office: (269) 387-3005
Location: 413 Sprau Tower

Study Abroad Specialist:
Anastassia Kaml
Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education
Western Michigan University
B 2425 Ellsworth Hall
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 387-5890
E-mail: anastassia.v.kaml@wmich.edu

Host Institution Information (external links)
University Webpage (in Russian)

Demographic Information (external links)
St. Petersburg City Information
Russia



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