Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania share important historical experiences, including periods of Russian imperial and Soviet rule and the restoration of independence in the twentieth century. Each also has its own language, cultural traditions, historical relationships, and national experience.
Today, all three countries are members of the European Union and NATO, but their histories and societies have led to different approaches to language, citizenship, identity, and relationships with surrounding regions. Estonia and Latvia have substantial Russian-speaking populations, while Lithuania’s historical and cultural relationships extend strongly toward Poland and Central & Eastern Europe. Estonia also maintains particularly close linguistic and cultural ties with Finland and the Nordic region. These differences exist alongside shared concerns surrounding security, historical memory, and relationships with Russia and Belarus.
Together, these shared experiences and different national approaches provide multiple perspectives on how language, identity, security, historical memory, and the information environment continue to shape the region.
The Baltics in the Eurasian Corridor
u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eWithin the Eurasian Corridor, the Baltic states occupy the northeastern edge of the European Union and NATO while maintaining close connections with the Nordic and wider Baltic Sea regions. Their geography and history mean that questions of regional security, energy, infrastructure, information, and resilience are also closely tied to relationships with Russia and Belarus.u003c/pu003e
The region’s ports, transportation networks, and energy systems also reflect its changing orientation within Europe. Infrastructure once closely integrated with Russia and the wider Soviet space has increasingly been redirected toward European and Nordic networks, while new energy and transportation links continue to reshape the region’s economic and strategic geography.
Countries of the Baltics
Latvia
u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eHome to SRASu0026rsquo;s primary study location in the Baltics, Latvia brings questions of language, identity, media, society, and regional security into particularly close relationship.u003c/pu003e
Lithuania
u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eExplore historical memory, national identity, and Lithuania’s role in regional security and European affairs.u003c/pu003e
Estonia
u003cpu003eExamine digital society, innovation, cybersecurity, and the ways technology intersects with governance, education, and everyday life.u003c/pu003e
Learning Across the Region
u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eThe Baltics bring questions of language, identity, security, history, media, and technology into close relationship, while each country provides a different perspective on the regionu0026rsquo;s shared challenges and historical experiences.u003c/pu003e
Language
u003cpu003eExplore how language shapes identity, education, citizenship, and public life while gaining insight into the multilingual communities and linguistic diversity found across the Baltic region.u003c/pu003e
International Relations u0026 Security
u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eExamine regional security, NATO, and the information environments that increasingly shape politics, society, and international relations across northeastern Europe.u003c/pu003e
Identity u0026 Society
u003cpu003eExplore language policy, historical memory, migration, citizenship, and the ways identity continues to shape contemporary Baltic societies.u003c/pu003e
History u0026 Culture
u003cpu003eExplore how historical memory, architecture, literature, and enduring traditionsu0026mdash;including the region’s rich folk and song heritageu0026mdash;continue to shape Baltic identity today.u003c/pu003e
Programs in the Baltics
Riga: Russian as a Second Language
Study Russian in Riga, where a multilingual environment shaped by history and policy offers insight into language and identity.
SRAS Site Visits
Join SRAS for site visits in Bishkek and/or Riga and/or Georgia & Armenia. Learn more about these fascinating countries, SRAS programs, and opportunities for custom faculty-led programming.
Winter Break Riga: Russian Language Immersion
Boost your Russian language skills and experience both Russian and Latvian culture during this festive winter period.
Media Literacy in the Baltics: Identity, AI, and Security
Boost your resume and your knowledge of the Baltics with this unique certificate program.
Spring Break Riga: Russian Language Immersion
Boost your Russian language skills and experience both Russian and Latvian culture.
Latvia for Youth: Language, Community Engagement & Culture
High school program blending intensive Russian language study, service learning, and cultural programming.
Riga: Baltic Security and the Information Environment
Examine information warfare, media systems, and digital governance on NATO’s frontier while developing Russian language skills in the Baltic region.
