Intensive Russian in a Multilingual Society

Chișinău offers a distinctive setting for intensive Russian language study. Romanian is Moldova’s official language and the primary language of public life, while Russian remains widely understood and used within parts of the population. Students develop their language skills through intensive classroom instruction, daily interaction with Russian-speaking hosts, and cultural activities that introduce Moldova’s history and contemporary society.

Moldova’s location between Romania and Ukraine—and its Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, and other influences—makes language especially visible as an expression of identity, history, and political orientation. Excursions to Transnistria and Gagauzia provide contrasting perspectives on the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity while giving students additional opportunities to use Russian in context.

Available in four- and six-week formats, the program combines structured language study with enough time to experience daily life in Chișinău and explore more of Moldova. Chișinău’s regional connections also make it a useful base for independent travel in Romania and elsewhere in Southeastern Europe.

Language in Context

Romanian is Moldova’s official language, while Russian remains widely understood and continues to serve as a common language among parts of the country’s diverse population. The balance between the two languages varies across communities, generations, and regions, reflecting Moldova’s history and the continuing evolution of national identity.

Studying Russian in Chișinău allows students to use the language in everyday interactions while observing how language functions within a multilingual society. Travel beyond the capital adds further perspective. Russian is especially prominent in Transnistria, while Gagauzia introduces students to an autonomous region where Gagauz, Romanian, and Russian occupy different roles in public and community life.

Program Details

 All SRAS Russian as a Second Language programs are designed to build communicative proficiency through intensive, structured instruction paired with guided opportunities to use the language outside the classroom.

RUSS 1201-202/301-302-303/401 Russian Language Study

Students receive 20 academic hours of intensive Russian language instruction per week. Small-group classes develop speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary, with placement and instruction tailored to students’ proficiency levels.

Coursework emphasizes active communication and practical language use. Classroom study is reinforced through homestay interaction, cultural activities, excursions, and everyday experiences in Chișinău.

Summer (4 weeks): 4 credits
Summer (6 weeks): 6 credits

Contact us for course syllabi.

Partner School

Founded in 2001, NovaMova is a private language school specializing in intensive language instruction for international students. Its programs combine classroom study with conversation practice, workshops, discussion groups, and cultural activities that encourage students to use the language in context.

Transcripts and Credit Transfer

This program is hosted by NovaMova in cooperation with SRAS. The School of Record is Stetson University (Florida, USA). Credit transfer to a student’s home institution is usually possible. A U.S. School of Record means that the program is supported and documented by an accredited U.S. university, making credit transfer relatively routine.

Learn more about transcripts, credit transfer, and other academic issues.

For more on transcripts, credit transfer, and other academic issues, click here.

The SRAS travel and cultural program complements intensive language study by introducing students to Moldova’s history, cultural traditions, and contemporary society. Activities in and around Chișinău provide opportunities to use Russian outside the classroom while learning more about the country’s multilingual population and varied regional identities.

Programming may include meetings with local students and young people, visits to markets and museums, a Moldovan cooking workshop, Russian-language theater, and experiences connected with Moldova’s food and wine traditions. Additional activities introduce contemporary political and social issues, including the role of language, historical memory, and Moldova’s relationships with its neighbors.

Transnistria

Students travel to Transnistria to explore a region where Russian has a particularly prominent role in public life. Visits to Bender Fortress and Tiraspol introduce the region’s history, contemporary society, Soviet-era architecture, public spaces, and distinctive political status.

The excursion provides extensive opportunities to use Russian while examining how language, identity, and historical memory take different forms within Moldova.

Gagauzia

An excursion to Gagauzia introduces students to Moldova’s autonomous Gagauz region and its Turkic-speaking, predominantly Orthodox population. Students explore the relationships among Gagauz, Romanian, and Russian and consider how language, cultural heritage, and regional identity interact within contemporary Moldova.

The visit provides another point of comparison within the country, demonstrating the diversity that exists beyond the capital and the different roles Russian can play across communities.

Opportunities to Explore

The four- and six-week formats leave students time outside the classroom to explore Chișinău independently and experience more of everyday life in Moldova. Weekends may also provide opportunities for independent travel.

Chișinău offers connections to Romania and other destinations in Southeastern Europe. Bucharest can be reached by regional transportation, while flights and overland routes make additional destinations accessible depending on schedules. Students arrange and fund independent travel themselves and should ensure that it does not interfere with classes or required program activities.

Students stay with Russian-speaking hosts, providing regular opportunities to use Russian outside the classroom and experience everyday life in Chișinău. Half board—breakfast and dinner—is included.

Hosts may be families, couples, or individuals and are selected for their experience hosting international students. Through daily conversations, shared meals, and regular interaction, students gain consistent exposure to natural speech, conversational styles, and cultural perspectives.

Students commute independently between their homestay and classes using public transportation. Housing details and practical information will be provided before arrival.

Chișinău is Moldova’s capital and largest city, with leafy neighborhoods, broad avenues, markets, museums, cafés, and a food and wine culture shaped by the country’s agricultural traditions. Its relatively compact scale and accessible public transportation make it easy for students to establish a daily routine while exploring the city independently.

The city reflects Moldova’s layered history and its position between Romania and Ukraine. Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, Jewish, and other influences can be seen in its languages, architecture, cuisine, and cultural life. Chișinău also provides a convenient base for exploring more of Moldova and, during free weekends, destinations in Romania and elsewhere in Southeastern Europe.

Programs in Moldova

Budget Breakdown:

Scholarships and Grants:

  • Federal aid can help pay for your program if your university pre-approves credit transfer and agrees to manage payment. Check with SRAS and your university for details.
  • All Scholarships and Grants that we know of that can be applied to our programs are listed on our site. Contact SRAS for assistance in building your strongest application!
  • SRAS Program Grants are stackable! 
  • SRAS Ambassadors can write while abroad or educate students at home after their return – and earn stipends!
  • SRAS Online Research Internships award partial scholarships for study abroad.
  • Boren Awards: This program is compatible with Boren requirements. Contact us about how to build your strongest application for Boren funding!

  1. Complete our application (press the “Apply Now” button to create your SRAS account — you will be able to return to the application later).
  2. Alert your home university (if you are currently a student).
    Some universities have deadlines for study abroad that are much earlier than SRAS deadlines -— so involve your home university’s study abroad office in the process as early as possible! They can help ensure that all goes smoothly with credit transfer and financial aid, and perhaps point you to additional funding sources.
  3. See our Planning Guide for more important information about academics, health and safety, and more.

If you are still unsure this is the right program for you, please join an SRAS Info Session or schedule an SRAS advising session to discuss how we can help fulfill your goals and needs!