Spend four inspiring weeks in Riga, Latvia building real-world Russian language skills while experiencing the Baltic region through the eyes of local youth. Students live with carefully selected Russian-speaking host families and study each morning at the Liden & Denz Language School, rapidly growing their confidence in small-group classes and daily immersion.

Afternoons are dedicated to meaningful volunteering with the Young Folks youth organization, where participants join teams, contribute to community projects, and gain hands-on leadership experience alongside Latvian peers.

Each week explores a new theme—Introducing Latvia, Soviet Echoes, Made in Latvia, and Baltic Identity—supported by engaging excursions, workshops, and discussions with local youth. A major highlight is the weekend seaside youth festival, where students take part in sports, workshops held in Russian, outdoor activities, and shared cultural events.

By the end of the program, students return home with stronger Russian, meaningful service hours, lifelong friendships, and a standout international experience for future college applications.

Apply Today by creating a parent/guardian account. Already have an account? Click here. Early bird discount: apply and pay your deposit by February 1 to receive a $50 discount! Applications received after the session deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

If you are interested and the deadline has passed, please contact us immediately. 

Program Details

Key Program Elements

Russian Language Study: 20 lessons (45 minutes each) per week of small group study, by level.

Volunteering/Service Learning: Over four weeks, students take part in the Young Folks Social Impact Lab at Young Folks LV, a youth organization in Riga. Working in small mixed teams and as a whole group, they design and carry out a series of youth-led social impact projects. Over the course of the program, students create a few ongoing community projects, festival workshops, practical community-building tool(s), eco-initiative(s), and one youth event that all respond to real needs in the Young Folks community. These projects range from youth inclusion and mental health to eco-awareness, youth storytelling through media, and creative community events. Along the way, students gain hands-on experience in leadership, community engagement, project design, and intercultural collaboration alongside Latvian peers.

Country Studies: Thematic exploration of Latvia through excursions, workshops, and travel.

Program Structure/Itinerary

Arrival Weekend

  • Arrival in Riga and transfers to host famlies
  • Orientation
  • Riga Old Town walking tour
  • Welcome lunch

Week 1

  • Theme: Introducing Latvia
  • Morning Russian language classes
  • Survival Latvian
  • Afternoon Community Service
  • Workshops, excursions, picnic
  • Weekend: Half-day visit to the nearby seaside resort of Jurmala

Week 2

  • Theme: Soviet Echoes
  • Morning Russian language classes
  • Afternoon Community Service
  • Workshops, excursions, picnic
  • Weekend: Day trip to Sigulda – the “Latvian Switzerland”

Week 3

  • Theme: Made in Latvia
  • Morning Russian language classes
  • Afternoon Community Service
  • Workshops, excursions, picnic
  • Weekend: Overnight trip to the Young Folks Weekend Festival (seaside)

Week 4

  • Theme: Baltic Identity
  • Morning Russian language classes
  • Afternoon Community Service
  • Workshops, excursions, picnic
  • Weekend: Free time and departure

Contact us for more detailed program/itinerary. Schedule is subject to change.

You will be paired with another participant and stay with an experienced Russian-speaking host family inclusive of breakfast and supper. Commute to/from class and activities can range from 20-50 minutes on public transportation.

Liden & Denzhas welcomed students of Russian for more than 30 years with small group classes emphasizing speaking and conversation while continuing to build grammar and vocabulary. They coordinate and support Russian-speaking host families, organize a range of cultural workshops, and work with SRAS to provide a high level of support to students.

Young Folks LVis a Riga-based non-profit youth organization with more than a decade of experience in community-based work with young people. The organization provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive space where children, teenagers, and young adults can develop their cognitive, social, creative, and leadership skills. By promoting non-formal education, youth-led initiatives, and a wide range of interest-based clubs, Young Folks LV helps young people explore and realise their interests, goals, and ideas, while fostering a welcoming community that encourages personal growth, active citizenship, and a positive contribution to society.

We take health and safety very seriously at SRAS and youth participants are provided with an even higher level of oversight and support. 

Riga is a very safe city, manageable in size even for less experienced travelers, and with a very efficient transport system.

SRAS, Liden & Denz, and Young Folks local staff team up to provide additional support to students in all settings – from classroom to family stays to service learning and cultural activities.

We will have at least two pre-departure meetings online and a full orientation during the arrivals weekend in Riga.

Participants will be provided with health/emergency insurance.

Q: What if a student is also applying to NSLI-Y?

Many students interested in Russian also apply to NSLI-Y. Because NSLI-Y decisions are often announced later in the spring, students are welcome to submit an application to Latvia for Youth as a backup option. Applying does not obligate the student to attend if they are ultimately selected for NSLI-Y. Families are encouraged to contact us directly with any questions about timing, enrollment, or next steps.

Q: Can I earn college credit for this program?

This program is eligible for college credit issued by our  School of Record, Stetson University (DeLand, FL). Four credits would be issued for Russia language study, with course number determined by level. Note that there is a transcript fee ($500) for this option.

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.

Students from the below-listed schools with active SLAVA chapters are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship from SLAVA, the National Slavic Honorary Society, to support participation in this program. (Students do not need to have already been inducted into SLAVA).  Click here to apply. 

Eligible schools:

  • Abington Heights High School
  • Bistro Languages
  • Central High School (Memphis)
  • Coldspring-Oakhurst High School
  • Friends School of Baltimore
  • Glastonbury High School
  • Governor’s School for Gov. & International Study
  • Heritage High School
  • Kent School
  • Langley High School
  • Manville High School  (Manville, NJ)
  • Middleborough High School
  • Noble High School
  • Shaker High School
  • Sparta High School
  • T. Jefferson High School of Science & Tech
  • Volcano Vista High School
  • Walnut Hills High School
  • Whitehaven High School

Schools wishing to apply to become a SLAVA chapter may submit an application at https://www.actr.org/Slava.

Want to be the voice (and camera!) of the program? During the 4-week experience with SRAS and its partner youth organization Young Folks LV, two participants will step into the role of Social Media Interns, capturing the energy, the people, and the behind-the-scenes moments of this Latvia for Youth adventure. From posting Insta stories and going live at events to filming reels and doing quick, fun interviews, you’ll help tell the story of the program as it happens. The role includes a stipend ($500), making it not only a creative opportunity but also a paid leadership responsibility. It’s hands-on experience that looks great on a resume and helps you build real skills in digital storytelling, communication, and media production – all while being fully part of the group.

Interested?Once you have an application open for the program, let us know by messaging us from the portal and we will release a short supplementary application.

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.