Russian Language and Winter in Chisinau

Spend one or two weeks of winter break focused on intensive Russian language study in Chisinau. Designed for students with an established foundation in Russian, small-group instruction emphasizes practical communication while strengthening speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar.

Outside the classroom, students use Russian in daily life while exploring Moldova’s history, culture, and contemporary society. Meetings with local peers, cultural activities, and excursions provide opportunities to practice Russian while learning more about Moldova’s multilingual society and complex regional context. A day trip to Transnistria offers a contrasting linguistic and historical environment within a short distance of Chișinău.

Language in Context

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. For students who already have a foundation in Russian, this multilingual environment provides opportunities to use the language while observing how language intersects with identity, history, and contemporary society.

A visit to Transnistria adds another dimension to the language experience. Russian has a much more prominent role there, alongside Romanian and Ukrainian, giving students a contrasting linguistic environment within a short distance of Chisinau.

If you are a current student, it is your responsibility to check the academic calendar of your home institution to ensure that 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.

Program Details

Students receive 32 hours of intensive Russian language instruction (over two weeks) in small groups. Instruction emphasizes active language use and practical communication while strengthening speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar.

Participants should have completed at least three semesters of college-level Russian or have equivalent proficiency. Students are placed according to their proficiency and instructional needs.

Partner School

NovaMova is a private language school founded in 2001, specializing in intensive language instruction for international students. Its teaching combines classroom study with practical language use through conversation practice, workshops, discussion groups, and other cultural and academic activities.

NovaMova has extensive experience working with U.S. universities and educational organizations and provides language and educational programming across several countries in the region.

Cultural programming complements intensive language study with opportunities to experience Moldova’s history, food, and everyday life. Activities are scheduled around classes while leaving students time to explore Chișinău independently.

Programming may include meetings with local students and young people, visits to markets and museums, a Moldovan cooking workshop, Russian-language theater, and a wine-focused cultural experience. Students also learn about contemporary Moldovan politics and society and experience Orthodox Christmas traditions during the winter holiday period.

Transnistria Day Trip

During the first week, students travel to Transnistria for a guided day trip exploring the region’s history, contemporary life, and distinctive linguistic environment. Visits include Bender Fortress and Tiraspol, where students encounter Soviet-era architecture and public spaces while observing the use of language, signage, and historical memory. The excursion provides extensive opportunities to use Russian while examining a part of Moldova shaped by Soviet legacies and unresolved questions of identity and political status.

Opportunities to Explore

Students in the two-week program have the middle weekend entirely free for independent travel and exploration. Stay in Chisinau and explore more of Moldova, or take advantage of regional connections to visit another destination.

Bucharest, Romania, is one option for an independent weekend trip, while flights and regional transportation may make other destinations possible depending on schedules. Students are responsible for arranging and funding independent weekend travel.

Weather

January in Chisinau is cold, with variable winter conditions that may include snow, rain, and freezing temperatures. Students should bring a warm winter coat, waterproof footwear, and layers suitable for both classroom activities and time outdoors.

The standard program is non-credit bearing. Students who require academic credit may opt to receive a transcript from Stetson University, SRAS’s U.S. School of Record.

  • Transcript fee: $600* Two- or three-week program: 2 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 take the program for credit, indicate that in your application. 

Students stay with Russian-speaking hosts, providing regular opportunities to use Russian outside the classroom and experience everyday life in Chisinau. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Hosts may include families, couples, or individuals and are selected for their experience hosting international students. Students commute independently between their homestay and classes using public transportation.

Chisinau is Moldova’s capital and largest city, with leafy neighborhoods, markets, museums, cafés, and a food and wine culture shaped by the country’s agricultural traditions and diverse historical influences. Its relatively compact scale makes it approachable for a short winter program while providing a base for exploring more of Moldova.

Moldova sits between Romania and Ukraine and has been shaped by Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, and other influences. Its multilingual environment and layered history make Chisinau a particularly interesting setting for students studying Russian while encountering a society in which questions of language and identity remain highly visible.

This program uses a short application and a simplified payment schedule. A $50 non-refundable application fee is due when you apply and is applied toward the total program cost. Once your participation is confirmed, a $450 non-refundable deposit is due within seven days to reserve your place. The remaining program balance is due 45 days before arrival.

Cancellation: If SRAS receives written cancellation at least 20 days before the program begins, 20% of the total program cost is refundable. For cancellations received fewer than 20 days before the program begins, no refund is guaranteed.

If SRAS is able to recover costs or fill a vacated place, we will endeavor to refund additional amounts where possible. Participants are encouraged to consider travel insurance that provides appropriate cancellation or interruption coverage.

Funding & Discounts:

SRAS Ambassadors awards may be applied toward eligible future SRAS programs and study tours.

Group Discount: Participants who bring two or more friends on a program of two weeks or longer may each receive a $150 discount. All participants must identify one another in their applications. The discount does not apply to participants already receiving special group pricing, including affiliate discounts.