Snapshots
CIEE St. Petersburg
Areas of Study
Students can participate in Russian Language Program (courses taught in Russian) or the Russian Area Studies Program (courses taught in English). All courses are taught only to CIEE students.
| Term | Dates | Application Deadline |
| Fall | late August - mid December | February 1 |
| Spring | mid January - mid May | May 1 |
| Academic Year | late August - mid May | February 1 |
| Summer | mid June - mid August | February 15 |
Eligibility
Russian Language program: Two years of college level Russian, as well as an overall GPA of 3.0 and a recommended Oral Proficiency Interview (given at the Center for Russian Language and Culture upon arrival) score of at least Intermediate Low.
Russian Area Studies program: At least two semesters of college level Russian and a 3.0 GPA.
WU Credits
CIEE recommends students earn 17 credits per semester or 31 per academic year. Most culture/literature/area studies courses receive 3 credits per semester, while Russian Grammar and/or Conversation courses are worth 4 credits each. These credits are not only based on class hours, but also weekly cultural excursions.
Location
St. Petersburg, Russia
St. Petersburg is a city located in northwestern Russia on the delta of the river Neva at the east end of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. Founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 as a "window to Europe," it served as the capital of the Russian Empire until the capital was moved to Moscow after the Russian Revolution of 1917. With about 4.7 million inhabitants (2002), today St. Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city, Europe's fourth largest city, a major European cultural center, and the most important Russian port on the Baltic. St. Petersburg is the northernmost city in the world with over one million people. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the city, which for years was Russia's political and cultural center, is impressive even today and is sometimes called "the Northern Capital".
Housing
Students are placed in a homestay with a Russian family.
Student Life
All courses are taught in Russian on the Russian Language program. The academic program is supplemented with excursions and field trips arranged by the Resident Staff and University representatives. Excursions within the St. Petersburg area are planned over the course of the semester. The program offers three overnight field trips each semester. These trips include excursions to places of educational, cultural, and historic significance, while still allowing some time for students to explore the sites on their own. The trips are coordinated with the academic program, through preparation in class prior to the trip and through discussions of experiences and impressions upon return to St. Petersburg. During the field trips, students usually stay in hotels, with two students to a room. Meals are taken at hotels or restaurants. There is also an Independent Russian Travel Week each semester. Students can participate in optional volunteer projects organized through a well-developed network of contacts that facilitate integration into Russian society. This is the longest running study abroad program in Russia.
On-Site Support
CIEE Resident directors: Dr. Ludmila Vergunova & Dr. Nathan Longan. CIEE program participants receive instruction through St. Petersburg State University’s Center of Russian Language and Culture, which administers Russian language programs for foreign students at the University. The Center of Russian Language and Culture is located at the University's Smolny campus.
Application Process
The application process differs based on the term in which you wish to study abroad and your department's approval of this program.
Semester/AY Applications - If this program is approved by your department you must submit a completed WU Semester/AY Study Abroad Application with program-specific forms to the Overseas Programs office in McMillan 138. If this program is not approved by your department, then you must meet with Jennifer White Reding before proceeding with your application.
Summer Applications - You must submit a completed WU Summer Study Abroad Application with program-specific forms to the Overseas Programs office in McMillan 138. If you wish to receive major or minor credit, please ensure that this program is approved by your department and you complete the Study Plan with your Study Abroad Advisor.
More about the application process can be found on the How to Apply webpage.
WU Program Price
The WU program price includes WU tuition plus WU student health insurance and any housing, food, airfare or other costs paid by WU on the student's behalf. Below are projected program pricing and estimated personal expenses for this program. Click on the term to download a detailed cost breakdown.
| Estimated Costs* | Summer |
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direct costs |
*The fees, charges, and expenses shown are estimates based on current information only and are subject to change.
| Faculty Liaison Dean Nicole Svobodny Campus Box 1088 935-7682 McMillan 257 nsvobodn@wustl.edu |
Overseas Programs Coordinator Ms. Jessica Mervis Campus Box 1088 (314) 935-7695 McMillan 138 jmervis@artsci.wustl.edu Mr. Steve Shriberg (summer) Campus Box 1088 (314) 935-9607 McMillan 138 sshriber@artsci.wustl.edu |
