Professor Peggy Mills urges Russian majors who study abroad to do “everything they can.” Live with a Russian host family, meet the students, eat the food, read the news—and of course, study the language. If you’re a Russian major, you probably know that the Russian language plays an important role in American foreign policy and that it’s a relatively difficult language for native English speakers to learn. Studying abroad in Russia will not only improve your language competency by giving you the opportunity to interact with native speakers, but also provide you with an experience of Russian culture that will broaden your worldview and give you a competitive edge in applying for graduate programs and jobs.

While there is no usual post-graduate trend for Russian majors, recent graduates are Peace Corps volunteers in Russian-speaking republics, ESL teachers in Russia, U.S. government and foreign service workers, and graduate students. Many of the positions Russian majors consider post-graduation require advanced language skills and knowledge of Russian culture.

Whatever your post-graduate plans are, study abroad in Russia is an experience that will benefit all Russian language students. From 8-week summer programs to full-year programs, there are plenty of opportunities for you to earn credit toward your degree.

Various scholarships are available for Russian majors who want to study abroad, including the Presidential Scholarship for Study Abroad [1] and Rotary Foundation Scholarships [2]. Information about how to fund your study abroad experience is available here [3].

For more information about study abroad opportunities in Russia, check the Russian Language Program [4] website and/or consult with an advisor in the Office for Study Abroad.