American Councils (ACTR) Russian Language Programs in Russia and Central Asia

[Graham Hettlinger]

Dear Colleagues,

American Councils (ACTR) is currently accepting applications for its Russian language study-abroad programs, including the Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP), the Business Russian Language and Internship Program (BRLI), and the Heritage Speakers Program. The deadline for spring semester applications is October 15, 2014.

Students admitted to American Councils programs are eligible to receive financial support from a wide range of sources, including the U.S. Department of State (Title VIII), FLAS, and the American Councils Outbound Scholarship Fund.

Operating since 1976, American Councils Russian language programs are conducted in partnership with Moscow International University, the Russian State Pedagogical (Herzen) University in downtown St. Petersburg, the KORA Russian Language Center in Vladimir, and the Al Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty. All American Councils programs are uniquely designed to maximize participants' language gain by combining intensive, small-group instruction with a rich array of immersion activities to ensure participants break out of the 'study abroad bubble' and truly engage with local communities. Highly dedicated and experienced resident directors provide ongoing logistical support, twenty-four hour emergency aid, and personal guidance to participants throughout their time abroad.

A few key features of American Councils programs include:

  *   Expert university faculty who combine innovative pedagogy with a unique understanding of U.S. students and American academic culture;
  *   Classrooms of only 1 to 5 participants to maximize individual attention to each learner's needs;
  *   Twenty hours per week of in-class Russian language instruction in grammar, phonetics, conversation, mass media, and area studies;
  *   Guided opportunities to attend regular Russian classes at host universities in more than 20 subjects ranging from biology to fine arts;
  *   Individual research projects conducted under the mentorship of a Russian faculty member and culminating in a seminar-length paper in Russian;
  *   U.S. Academic credit for coursework in history or political science as well as advanced Russian language;
  *   Housing in conveniently located university dormitories or with carefully vetted host families who provide private rooms, two meals per day, and a friendly, supportive environment for language practice;
  *   Carefully managed, substantive internships at such locations as the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce, Yandex, and the St. Petersburg Cultural Center;
  *   Peer tutors who assist U.S. students with language learning and help them find a niche in their university communities;
  *   Russian-American discussion groups that meet weekly to explore contemporary social mores and cultural issues;
  *   Extended trips (5-6 days) with Russian peers and faculty to explore new regions and cities, including such locations as Kizhi, Nizhni Novgorod, Sochi, Solovki and Volgograd;
  *   Creative weekly excursions that go beyond typical tourist destinations and offer students new insights into Russian life and culture;
  *   Ongoing activities with Russian peers, including camping trips, ice-skating, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, cooking, yoga classes, ballroom dancing, hockey, choral singing, theater, gardening, and dacha-visits;
  *   Program monitoring and evaluation through rigorous pre- and post-program testing;
  *   Comprehensive, two-day pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. as well as on-site orientation in each host city;
  *   An active and extensive alumni network that includes current and former diplomats, international business consultants, professional translators, area-studies experts, and journalists reporting from the region.

For program applications and detailed information, please visit: http://acStudyAbroad.org or email: outbound at americancouncils.org<mailto:outbound at americancouncils.org>. American Councils staff will also be glad to speak with you, your students, and your colleagues directly; we can be reached at 202-833-7522.


With best wishes,
Graham Hettlinger



Graham Hettlinger
Director, Higher Education Programs Division
American Councils for International Education
1828 L Street N.W., Suite 1200
Washington, D.C. 20036
T  (202) 833-7522
F  (202) 833-7523
www.americancouncils.org<http://www.americancouncils.org>




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