SRAS Blog

Just three decades ago unprecedented “winds of change” swept a large part of the world. Next month will mark 30 years to the date that people gathered at the Berlin Wall and began tearing it down. As communist rule fell across what had been known as the “Soviet Bloc,” the Scorpions released their single “Winds… Read More

SRAS will be at: The ASEEES Conference in San Francisco in November 2019 The AATSEEL Conference in San Diego in February 2020 Each year we look forward to getting together with old friends and making new connections in the field. Let us know if you will be at either conference! The following are a few… Read More

My last visit to Vladivostok was in 2013, not long after the city hosted the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference. Then, considerable investment was being made in infrastructure. The airport had been refurbished and a new bridge stretched to Russkiy Island, where a new campus for Far Eastern Federal University had been built. Then, I… Read More

The Russian embassy in Washington DC has announced new rules for those applying for Russian visas who are under 21 years of age. In addition to the regular materials and procedures, those under 21 will need to submit: Copy of birth certificate Copy of both parents’ passports (data pages) – If one or both parents’… Read More

Would you like to get to know more about SRAS programs?  SRAS is on the road, participating in study abroad fairs, hosting info sessions, and presenting in classes. We will be updating the schedule as our plans evolve so please check the website regularly to see if and when we will be on your campus…. Read More

This summer, SRAS will host a special collection of innovative programs in St. Petersburg, Russia. These are set to run from the 19th of June to the 12th of July, 2020. Your stay in St. Petersburg can be extended with four-weeks of intensive Russian-language study following the course. Note that each Summer School track listed… Read More

SRAS is pleased to announce the publication of our new materials, showing our lineup of 2020 programs for individual students and services for faculty led groups heading abroad. You may download these below. If you would like to request copies of these for your university/college department or study abroad office, you may use this form…. Read More

Travelers to Russia and especially those planning to lead groups abroad should take note that Russia has recently passed new legislation that bans hostels in residentially-zoned buildings. Many Russian cities have seen a boom in recent years in hostels opened in former communal apartments as Russia’s tourism sector has developed. However, some long-term residents of… Read More

Every spring, Herzen State Pedagogical University hosts a conference where international students are challenged with articulating themselves using solely the Russian language for a five to ten minute presentation. Students can choose any topic relating to cross-cultural communication and then collect information through interviews, research, and observations. In addition to the oral presentation, students also… Read More

We just received notification that the consulate fees have been increased, effective March 4. For single-entry this is a hike of $70, for double, only $16, and for the multi, it is actually lower now. It’s a good time to get your multiple-entry visa! It seems as well that there will no longer be any… Read More