Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program
Language Requirements
Required: 2 years of college-level Russian, or equivalentProgram Requirements
Every applicant must take the American Council's placement exam and write an essay in Russian. Please see the ACTR program for details.Academic Specialties
Core Russian language classes include Russian Conversation, Phonetics, Russian Grammar, and Lexical Studies.Area studies offerings include (but are not limited to) Studies in Mass Media, Russian Literature, Russian History and Politics, and Contemporary Russian Society; all area studies and literature courses are taught in Russian.
Course Type
Immersion-style language and area studies program courses. Regular faculty members of the host institution teach all classes. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, students are placed in the University's Department of Russian as a Foreign Language.Additional Information
- Participants may audit regular host university classes in addition to their Russian courses if schedules permit.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in unpaid, non-credit bearing internships and volunteer service at local public schools, charities, and international businesses, depending on language level and interests. During the spring semester, students have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project.
- Peer tutors recruited from the host universities are available to meet with students up to two hours per week.
- Students with an advanced competency in Russian may attend two classes in their field of interest each semester with Russian students at the host university in addition to attending advanced grammar and conversation classes with fellow American Council participants. To be eligible for the honors program, an applicant must have advanced speaking, reading, and listening skills as demonstrated through testing, a grade point average of 3.3 or higher, and prior academic experience in Russia. Course substitutions are contingent upon university schedules and the instructor's approval.
Housing
Home stays or integrated university housingProgram Costs
Fall 2009: $22,765
- This includes the estimated cost of tuition, room, board, books, transportation, personal expenses and SAAF. The sample costs provided are for the fall term; for other terms and for the most current cost, contact the sponsoring organization.
Approximate Program Size
All language classes are taught in small groups of 3-5 students.Application Requirements
Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:- Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard. Call 847-467-6400 or e-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
- After receiving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application it is not available online.
- ACTR program application, available on the ACTR web site.
- Northwestern University Application for Permission to study abroad.
