A Language Pathway into a Multilingual Baltic Environment

Riga, Latvia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, offers a distinctive environment for studying Russian within a modern European and multilingual setting. As a member of the European Union and NATO with a complex linguistic landscape shaped by history, policy, and migration, Riga provides a grounded and relevant context for language study.

Here, you will study Russian in an intensive, small-group setting while engaging with the language as it is used in daily life. Russian remains widely spoken in Riga alongside Latvian, particularly in urban communities, social interaction, and across generations. At the same time, its role in media and public life is evolving, shaped by language policy, regional politics, and shifts in the information space. Through coursework, homestays, and guided activities, you will use Russian to navigate real conversations and better understand the perspectives embedded within them.

Whether your focus is language acquisition, regional studies, or broader cultural exploration, Riga offers both structure and flexibility. You will build practical language skills while gaining insight into how language functions within a contemporary European society—one that reflects broader dynamics across the Baltics and the wider region.

Language in Context

In Riga, Russian operates within a multilingual and policy-shaped environment. Latvian is the official state language, while Russian remains widely used in urban life, social interaction, and across communities. English is also commonly spoken, particularly among younger generations and in professional and service settings.

The roles of these languages continue to evolve, shaped by national language policy, regional politics, and changing media landscapes. Studying here allows you to observe how language functions within society, identity, and governance in a contemporary European context.

Program Details

All SRAS Russian as a Second Language programs are designed to build communicative proficiency through intensive, structured instruction paired with guided, real-world application.

RUSS 102/201-202/301-302-303/401 Russian Language Study

Small, intensive classes (20 hours per week) develop reading, writing, grammar, speaking, and listening skills. Instruction is tailored by level and emphasizes both formal language development and practical communication.

Coursework is complemented by workshops, excursions, and daily interactions that allow you to apply Russian in context—whether navigating the city, engaging with local communities, or interpreting media and public discourse.

Summer (4 weeks): 4 credits
Summer (6 weeks): 6 credits
Summer (8 weeks): 8 credits
Summer (10 weeks): 10 credits
Semester (16 weeks): 16 credits

Contact us for course syllabi.

Travel and Cultural Program

The SRAS workshop and excursion program in Riga is designed to place your language study within the broader social, historical, and cultural context of Latvia. Through guided visits and guest lectures, you will explore how language, identity, and history intersect in a multilingual society.

Excursions introduce both historical foundations and contemporary realities. Visits may include:

  • Jurmala (day trip)
  • Sigulda and Gauja National Park (weekend or day trip)
  • Walking tour of Riga’s art nouveau architecture, including the works of Mikhail Eisenstein
  • Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
  • Cooking masterclass

Semester participants may also travel to Vilnius or Tallinn for additional regional perspective.

Guest speakers connect your experience to present-day developments, addressing topics such as language policy, identity, and the evolving role of Russian-language media and communities in Latvia.

Partner School

Liden & Denz is a private language school founded in 1992. Its communicative approach combines practical language use with systematic study of grammar and vocabulary.

Transcripts and Credit Transfer

This program is hosted by Liden & Denz in cooperation with SRAS. The School of Record is Stetson University (Florida, USA). Credit transfer to your home institution is usually possible. A US School of Record means that your program is supported by and documented by an accredited US university, making credit transfer relatively routine.

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

Using Russian beyond the classroom is an important part of language learning in Riga. Because the city is multilingual, students need to be intentional about creating opportunities for conversation and engagement. SRAS builds several of these opportunities into the program while encouraging students to take an active role in making the most of them.

Weekly Conversation Table
Meet regularly with Russian speakers for informal conversation and language practice in a relaxed setting.

Walks with Locals
Explore Riga with local peers while practicing Russian through conversation and learning more about the city from those who live there.

Local Youth Organization
SRAS provides students with membership in a local youth organization with a primarily Russian-speaking membership. Participate in interest groups, activities, and events as a way to meet local peers and use Russian in a natural social setting. Students who want deeper involvement may also take on volunteer responsibilities or, where appropriate, develop their participation into an internship experience with opportunities to build organizational and leadership skills.

Students interested in adding professional experience to their time in Riga may request an internship with a local organization. Placements may be available with NGOs, small businesses, and organizations working in media, communications, security, and related fields.

Internships may be completed for 2 or 4 academic credits or on a non-credit basis. Students completing an internship for credit have additional academic requirements and receive oversight from SRAS. Internship credits are deducted from the Russian language credits normally awarded for the program; the number of Russian language class hours does not change.

SRAS can facilitate introductions to potential host organizations when a student’s background, skills, language abilities, and interests are a good match for an available placement. Internship placement is not guaranteed. Host organizations make all final placement decisions based on their needs and the student’s qualifications.

During semester programs, students enrolled in Baltic Security and the Information Environment receive priority for placements with organizations working specifically in media, communications, and security.

The default housing option is a student residence (similar to a dormitory), located approximately 35-40 minutes from classes. Rooms include a kitchenette (small fridge, microwave, sink, dinnerware/cutlery). Each floor has a full common kitchen and there is a single common laundry area.

Home stays are available for an additional cost (see budget sheets) and includes half board (breakfast and supper). Home stays are typically located 10–50 minutes from classes by public transport and vary in structure—some with families, others with single hosts, often older residents with extensive experience hosting international students.

Homestays are one of the most effective ways to develop your Russian outside the classroom. Through daily conversations, shared meals, and regular interaction, you will gain consistent exposure to natural speech, conversational styles, and cultural nuance. Hosts are welcoming, engaged, and accustomed to supporting students’ language development, offering both structure and flexibility in how much you participate in household life.

Students may also opt to arrange independent housing. You should check with your home (sending) institution to make sure they do not have any restrictions in this regard.

Housing options will be presented in detail upon acceptance.

Riga, Latvia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, is a city shaped by overlapping histories and political systems. Once part of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, and now a member of the European Union and NATO, Riga reflects the layered transitions that define much of the region.

The city is known for its art nouveau architecture—among the most extensive in Europe—as well as a vibrant cultural life that includes music, theater, and a strong café culture. The Central Market—one of Europe’s largest—along with public spaces and seasonal festivals plays a visible role in daily life, offering students a range of ways to engage with the city beyond the classroom.

Riga is highly livable—walkable, affordable, and easy to navigate—with a well-developed public transport system and quick access to nearby coastal and forested areas. It is also well connected to the rest of Europe, with frequent and inexpensive flights making it easy to travel beyond Latvia during your time abroad.

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!