Russian Studies Program

Explore the fascinating, deep heritage of Russia through a semester in Nizhni Novgorod, Russia’s third largest city.  From this “home base,” where students live for 12 weeks, the program incorporates experiential learning through a service project, by traveling to historic sites throughout Russia, and by placing students with host families for six weeks.  All students take a Russian language class and study through the University of Nizhni Novgorod.  The program helps students discover the Christian tradition in Russia, the complexities of ethnic conflict, and Russia’s reconstruction progress in the wake of its Communist years.

Click here to explore course offerings.

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Goals and Objectives
The object of the Russian Studies Program is to expose students to the Russian people and culture and to allow students to observe, first hand, the changes occurring in this post-communist society. The intellectual Christian presence in this former communist country is a witness to a people who equate Christianity with superstition.

Requirements
Students must have completed two full years of college and have at least a 2.75 GPA to qualify for the program.

Credits
The sixteen credits earned may meet some general education or major requirements. Courses taken will appear on Messiah transcripts with letter grades. Please refer to the grade conversion scale.

Courses include:

• RSP 305 Introduction to the Russian Language (6 or 4 credits*)
• RSP 301 Russian History and Sociology of Religion
• RSP 309 Russia in Transition
• RSP 311 Russian Peoples, Culture, and Literature

Students who take the 4 credit language option also should enroll in:

• RSP 313 Russian Business and International Relations
  

Costs: 2009 - 2010
Messiah College Tuition, Messiah room and full meal plan fees.

Includes round-trip, international airfare; students are responsible for their own transportation to and from jumping off point in the United States.

Application Deadlines

A $50 application fee must accompany your application.

Russian Studies Program On-line Application

Application Checklist

Course Equivalencies
The Registrar’s Office has determined that the following courses taken at the Russian Studies Program will fulfill General Education requirements:

“The most rewarding part of my experience was living with a Russian family. I was able to build relationships and be a part of a traditional Russian family. It showed me what real life was for typical Russians.”

--Faith Espiritu

For more information about the Russian Studies Program or Russia, check out:

• Council for Christian Colleges and Universities: Russian Studies Program
• European Union: A Guide for Americans
• Nizhni Novgorod State University
• Official Russian Homepage
• Russian Cities on the Web
• World Factbook: Russia