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
SRAS Blog
Visa News: Russian Visa Fees, Services Changed
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
Evolution of Study Abroad in the Uncommon Destinations of Eurasia
SRAS recently celebrated our 20-year anniversary. We’ve also recently developed a new family of websites and a new system for managing increasing enrollments. All these developments have inspired me to take a look at the “evolution” of study abroad and faculty-led study abroad to Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Beginning of the Post-Soviet Era:… Read More
Deadline for $10,000 Study Abroad Scholarship: May 1
The deadline for SRAS’ Home and Abroad Scholars program is fast approaching: May 1! This scholarship program, worth up to $10,000, combines an intensive internship with a study abroad program to Russia or Kyrgyzstan. We especially encourage students interested in history, anthropology, environment, military, and/or culture to apply. Study abroad while building your resume… Read More
What Students Gain in Bishkek (SRAS Site Visit)
On a chilly day in late October, I found myself on the back of a horse slowly crisscrossing up a mountain and looking back at the breathtaking view of the pristine Lake Issyk-Kul stretching across the horizon. This is how I started my site visit to our location in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Having worked with our… Read More
The School of Russian and Asian Studies Changes Name, Launches Fully Updated Website
The School of Russian and Asian Studies has outgrown its name and has made some significant changes. When we first formed, we were based in Moscow and looking mostly eastward. We established programs across Russia, in Siberia and the Russian Far East, as well as Central Asia. We introduced students to the wide diversity of… Read More
SRAS Welcomes Molly Cain as New Director for Institutional Relations
SRAS is pleased to announce a new member to our team: Molly Cain. Molly comes to us with nearly three decades of experience in travel to Russia and nearly two decades in working with study abroad. She will be assisting SRAS in further developing our partnerships with US universities. Molly first went to Russia in… Read More
SRAS Application System to Undergo Maintenance
Dear Colleagues and Students, SRAS’ application system will undergo an annual maintenance event scheduled over the holiday break. The maintenance is scheduled to commence on Saturday 22/12/2018 at 01:00 GMT and will continue through to Wednesday 26/12/2018 11:59 GMT. Please expect the system to be down for at least most of this period. We apologize for… Read More
The State of Study Abroad in Russia – 2018
Our fifth annual State of Study Abroad in Russia follows a fairly quiet year in Russia. The economic changes that came in 2015 and 2016 have been absorbed and turned into a new normal and slow economic growth. This condition is expected to continue throughout 2018, along with a stable political environment. The main changes… Read More
Summer Study Abroad: Update on Recent Diplomatic Events
SRAS is looking forward to welcoming students to Russia for summer study abroad programs. It is certainly an interesting time politically to be studying in Russia and we would like to reconfirm SRAS policies that place student safety as our first priority. Recently, 60 American diplomats were expelled from Russia and the U.S. Consulate in… Read More