Lomonosov Moscow State University (MGU)
Moscow, Russia.  >City Guide   >Campus Life

MGU is Russia's top ranked university. The massive Stalinist silhouette of its main building (the dorm) is beloved by Muscovites as a symbol of their city. Students from all over the world come here to study among the more than 30,000 Russian students who are also enrolled. This surrounds you with modern Russian youth while also allowing you to form support groups of people from English-speaking countries. MGU is for those who like to be in the center of action in a busy metropolis and are willing to make the effort to seek out Russian friends for language practice and cultural immersion.

St. Petersburg State University (SPbGU)
St. Petersburg, Russia.  >City Guide   >Campus Life (soon!)

St. Petersburg is Russia's cultural capital. For students interested in the arts or literature, studying at SPbGU is an easy choice. You’ll be surrounded by beauty and culture: canals that weave through the city’s impressive mix of architectural styles, the largest art collection in the world at the Hermitage, respected conservatories and theatres, the settings and inspiration for countless Russian literary classics, and some of the most cutting-edge music clubs in Europe.

The London School in Bishkek (LSB)
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.   >City Guide   >Campus Life (soon!)

Students wishing to combine serious language, history, and cultural studies with crafts lessons, village home stays, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming are especially drawn to The London School. Located in the politically turbulent capital of one of the United States' strongest allies in the strategically invaluable region of Central Asia, future diplomats and state department workers also frequent its programs. The London School is a private language school operating since 1998 and has also served clients such as the UNDP, the US Embassy, and USAID projects.

Irkutsk State Linguistic University (ISLU)
Irkutsk, Russia.   >City Guide   >Campus Life (soon!)

Irkutsk offers a mix of what draws students to other locations: an immersion experience but with select courses offered in English; plus, an outdoor adventure and a thriving intellectual cultural scene. Probably the biggest draw to this area is nearby Lake Baikal, the world's largest fresh water lake that hosts a highly unique ecosystem. However, students attending programs in Irkutsk are diverse in their interests: intensive Russian studies, ecology, Russian/Chinese relations, and Siberian history are just some of the programs to experience in this well-rounded city!

Linguistic University of Nizhny Novgorod (LUNN)
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.  >City Guide  >Campus Life (soon!)

While Nizhny Novgorod is a regional center for culture and while the university itself supports a number of international programs, most visitors remark that Nizhny Novgorod has the feeling of a city "trapped in time;" that few residents speak English and the city feels decidedly un-Westernized. If you are looking for a culturally immersive experience in a place that has a bit of a warm, small-town feel, this location is for you! It's also just an overnight train from Moscow, meaning that choosing the greater immersion offered at LUNN doesn't have to mean missing the grandeur of the Russian capital!

Far Eastern National University (FENU)
Vladivostok, Russia.   >City Guide  >Campus Life (soon!)

FENU is located in Vladivostok, Russia's Asian capital. With the massive distance separating it from the Russian capital, Vladivostok has always had something of an independent and free-spirited streak. Many students have remarked on the intense interest of the population here to learn and experience other cultures and languages. Modern alternative culture thrives here. Vladivostok is also an international trading hub with Korea, China, and Japan and perhaps accordingly hosts Russia's second largest minority population with so many Asians who have come here to work and do business.

Novosibirsk State University (NGU)
Novosibirsk, Russia.  >City Guide  >Campus Life (soon!) 

Novosibirsk is an "extreme" location, perfect for adventure-seekers who want to experience an industrial Siberian city, with almost no English spoken, and within close access to such activities as mountain climbing in the Altais, hiking, skiing, and more. Novosibirsk is also a major scientific hub, attracting students who are ready to study math, science, or information technology in Russian. While the staff at NSU are warm, friendly, and helpful, you will need to learn to embrace the rest of Novosibirsk, because it will not embrace you. If you are looking for a physical and emotional challenge, Novosibirsk may be the place for you.

NOVAMOVA
Kiev, Ukraine.  >City Guide  >Campus Life (soon!) 

Kiev is the capital and geographic center of Ukraine, a land that has historically had to balance relations between Russia and the West. Kiev is a political, economic, and cultural hub, but one that, in contrast to the Russian capital, feels quieter and more open in both its layout and in the attitudes of its people. In this green city rich with history, broad boulevards, and a diverse mix of people, NOVAMOVA offers lessons in Ukrainian and Russian language and culture, taught by young Ukrainians in new and well-equipped facilities!

Odessa Language Study Center
Odessa, Ukraine.  >City Guide   >Campus Life (soon!) 

A port city and that was doted on by Catharine the Great, Odessa was long a cosmopolitan hub where money, goods, and ideas from around the world were gathered and traded. Sergei Eisenstein’s legendary film The Battleship Potemkin glorified the city as a leader in revolutionary acts. The city is today a fascinating mix of new architecture, a rejuvenated city center, and buildings still ripped through by the Nazi bombs of WWII. As part of the now hip city center, The Odessa Language Center brings young people from across the globe to study language and culture and soak in the history.

Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO)
Moscow, Russia.   >City Guide  >Campus Life (soon!) 

MGIMO is for advanced Russian speakers who want access to Russia's premier school for international relations, international law, and international economics as a visiting scholar. The visiting scholar program puts you alongside some of the best and brightest of Russia's future leaders while studying in Russian. The university itself is a project of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a place not only to gain educational experience, but also to gain valuable professional contacts.

Far Eastern State University of the Humanities (FSUH)
Khabarovsk, Russia.  >City Guide  >Campus Life (soon!)  

Khabarovsk is for those advanced Russian speakers looking to explore the cultures of Russia's native peoples. Here, our Russian Far East programs blends archeology, anthropology, ethnography and language studies in a fascinating look at some Russia’s native populations. Students from twenty different native groups regularly attend FSUH, meaning that the varied people and cultures you are studying literally surround you. While the city speaks almost no English, and the people are known for being friendly and generally willing to share their cultures with people who are genuinely interested in experiencing them.

GRINT Centre for Education and Culture at Moscow University for the Humanities (GRINT)
Moscow, Russia.  >City Guide   >Campus Life 

With a number of English-speaking professors covering a wide range of subjects, GRINT hosts our Russian Studies Abroad program in Moscow, which is designed to provide the coursework and cultural experience for international studies students hoping to build a professional career with ties to Russia and Eurasia. The program is designed such that you are taking intensive classes and going on excursions with the same group of English-speaking students, so if you are looking for a close-knit group to be with during your program, you can find them here. While immersion can be a little more difficult with this program, it’s not impossible – we highly recommend the home stay option for those looking for greater immersion.

Liden & Denz Language Centres (L&D)
St. Petersburg & Moscow, Russia.

Typically catering to the business community, Liden & Denz is a private, Swiss-owned school that offers services that most Russian universities don't. These include assistance in finding an apartment, booking services for travel and cultural events (concerts, theaters, etc.), and free WiFi on campus. Liden & Denz is generally recommended for beginning Russian students looking for a short-term course with someone constantly on hand to help them through the city (and who are not as concerned about cost).