MGU Russian program

[Katherine Crosswhite]

Years ago, I also went to MGU for a summer language program.  I also 
went directly through the philological faculty, and would recommend 
that.  The website is:

http://www.philol.msu.ru/eng/edu/courses/

I'm sure it will be cheaper than going through a third party, you'll be 
assured that everything is on the up and up, and you'll also be working 
directly with very friendly and helpful people.

I was there a long time ago, when this program was very new, so things 
might have changed slightly by now, but here's my take:

The instructors were wonderful -- massive experience and education, very 
friendly and excited to work with you.  Our instructors were either 
actual MGU faculty in the Russian for Foreigners department (the 
equivalent of our TESOL departments), or their advanced graduate 
students.  I don't think you could get better instructors.  The 
administrators of the program, Georgii Moskvin and Evgeny Korneev were 
also great and very helpful.  I don't think their website emphasizes it 
enough -- they will work with you to give you the program you want to 
have.  For example, when not a lot of students were turning up for the 
"cultural program" outings, they got them together and asked "What *do* 
you want to go see?"  The next week, in response, an outing to the 
former KGB building/museum was organized, which was a big hit with all 
the undergraduates who were there.  If there is anything that is 
important to you that isn't offered/mentioned in the standard program, 
just ask about it.  For example, I found out after I got there that I 
could have had a phone in my dorm room if I had asked -- I had just 
assumed it wasn't possible because it wasn't included in the "standard" 
room.  (I think the standard room now might come with a phone, but 
ask.)  When I asked about internet access, they also figured out where I 
could do that on campus.  (Again, probably a standard thing now, but 
ask.)  A lot of the people there might be part of a group organized by 
some specific American / British / other university, but there may also 
be individual students such as yourself.

I signed up for the group study option, but it turned out there were so 
few people in the "advanced" group that it worked out to be pretty 
similar to one-on-one instruction anyway.  I get the impression they may 
have more students now, so it may be worthwhile to do the individual 
study option.

Best,

Katherine.

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