Enjoy a winter break experience in Riga, Latvia while developing your Russian language skills. Our focus will be on conversation both in and out of the classroom. In addition to intensive Russian language lessons, you will experience both Russian and Latvian culture during this festive time of year.

  • Stay with a Russian-speaking host family (includes breakfast and dinner)
  • Boost your Russian with 20 hours/week in a small group
  • Learn about and observe Orthodox Christmas traditions
  • Get to know Riga – from the Old Town to the Art Nouveau area to Maskavas Forštate (Moscow District)
  • Learn to cook Russian traditional holiday foods
  • Option to receive 2 or 4 credits of college level Russian (see the Extension & Credit Options below)

This trip is open to students, educators, and anybody with a passion for exploration & looking to improve their Russian language skills. Those looking to hit the ground running will want to look at our online flex-schedule Russian course.

If you are a current student: it is your responsibility to check the academic calendar of your home institution to ensure you do not miss class and/or have the necessary approvals in place for participation.

Past the deadline? Contact us to check if there is space.
Interested in semester programs? Click here. 

Program Details

Opportunities to Explore

You will have a weekend entirely free to explore Latvia or to take a short trip to Tallinn or Vilnius. Both are easily visited in a weekend – so why not? The bus system throughout the Baltics is very well developed and inexpensive. You can easily play things by ear and let either the weather or some new friends abroad help you with such decisions.

Weather

Temperatures in January in Riga are cold, averaging around 31°F during the day. Snow is possible. You will want to bring a warm winter coat and winter boots so you do not get chilled exploring Riga during this magical time of year!

*This program is non-credit bearing unless you opt in for credits.*

If you have a longer winter break, you can add up to two weeks to your stay, inclusive of tuition, home stay (with half board), insurance, and SRAS support. 

  • 1 additional week: $800
    (your program will run Jan 2-25)
  • 2 additional weeks: $1400
    (your program will run Jan 2 – Feb 1)

Earn creditsfor your work!

  • Transcript fee: $600* Two- or three-week program: 2 credits Four-week program: 4 credits

*Transcript is issued by our School of Record, Stetson University (Florida, USA).  Transcript fee is waived for students who have had a transcript issued by Stetson University within the past year.

If you would like to add additional weeks or take the program for credit, indicate that in your application. 

Partner School

Liden & Denz is an award-winning private language school, founded in 1992. Liden & Denz teaches language based on the communicative approach, combining the learning of common phrases from everyday situations with a thorough and systematic approach to grammar.

You will stay with a host family, where you will also enjoy two meals per day. 

Homestays are 10-50 minutes away from classes by public transport. Homestays in Riga vary, sometimes housing you with a family and sometimes with a single, older person. In all cases, however, your host(s) will be experienced and ready to include you in conversations and daily life. Home stays are a phenomenal way to boost your Russian language and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Riga, Latvia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, combines medieval charm with a vibrant modern culture, making it an ideal place to study Russian while experiencing Northern Europe. Centuries under the Russian Empire and Soviet rule means Russian remains widely spoken, with about 55% of Riga’s residents using it on a daily basis. Riga is also a fascinating place to witness Latvia’s own strong traditions, which survived centuries of occupation by multiple empires. Riga’s city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety, is famed for its art nouveau architecture, cobblestone streets, and lively cafés and markets. The Latvians are among Europe’s most secular peoples, with traditions deeply tied to their pagan past and to reverence for the lush, green nature of their homeland. Although reserved, Latvians hold a deep respect for all those who hold respect for Latvia. Affordable and highly walkable, Riga offers much to explore, with unspoiled coastlines, forests, and medieval castles just a short trip away.

When completing the short application for this trip, you will pay a $50 non-refundable fee that is applied to the total trip cost. When your participation is confirmed on our end (you will receive an email) a non-refundable deposit of $450 is due within 7 days to hold your space. Full trip payment is due 45 days prior to arrival. 

  • If we recieve cancellation in writing 20+ days before the program start, 20% of the total trip cost is refundable
  • If cancellation occurs less than 20 days before the program start, no refund is guaranteed.

Because we know things happen, if somehow we are able to fill your spot, we will endeavor to refund as much as possible. If you have things going on in your life (or in the life of those around you) that could lead to cancellation, we recommend securing travel insurance.

Funding from SRAS:

  • SRAS Ambassadors can write while abroad or educate students at home after their return – and earn stipends!
  • SRAS Online Research Internshipsaward partial scholarships for study abroad.
  • Group Discount:* Bring two or more friends abroad with you for this program and you will each receive a $150 discount. All participants must name each other as part of their application for their SRAS study abroad program. *Applies to sessions of two weeks or longer. Does not apply to students who already receive special group pricing from SRAS, which includes Affiliate Discounts.