Central Asian Studies is an innovative program preparing students for international careers. Based in the fascinating and historically significant region of Central Asia, this program combines our intensive Russian as a Second Language course with an expansive study of the history, culture, and geopolitics of the region.

The semester program includes travel to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turmenistan. In summer, travel to Uzbekistan and spend a week on horseback in the Kyrgyz mountains.

In Bishkek, you will find a highly personalized and customizable program of intensive language instruction. Although one of our most popular locations, class sizes in Bishkek are the smallest. You will be able to focus on your language skills through personalized attention and optional, specialized language electives, including study of other Central Asian languages. Peer tutoring and an integrated cultural program focusing on Central Asian cultures will take your learning outside the classroom as can optional travel opportunities and active, recommended home stays.

In the year 1989, the world drastically began to change for millions of people in the communist nations within Central & Eastern Europe. This ‘wind of change’ blew east and  eventually lead to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Many of the people who brought about these changes were university students armed with only their voices, their minds, and their belief in democracy. For many of these nations, it was a peaceful process. For some, the euphoria was short lived and political and economic chaos ensued. This program will travel to five former communist nations (Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Georgia) to examine this time of change and its lasting legacy in the region.

The Cuba-Russia Connection invites you to an intensive introduction to the history, culture, politics, and economies of two fascinating countries that have played important strategic and often interrelated roles in US foreign policy. We will study these countries from the perspective of cultural diplomacy, learning how each uses its cultural assets for diplomacy and economic gain. 

During the course of this program, you will spend twelve days in Cuba, followed by three weeks in Russia. Extend your stay by four additional weeks of intensive Russian as a Second Language study.

Are you an educator or organizer looking to lead a group educational program in Eurasia? If so, this is where you start the process. 

Language and the environment are both issues of global importance. Irkutsk provides an exceptionally intensive and immersive experience to study both.

Russian as a Second Language forms the core of this program. During the academic year choose between a study of the Environmental History of Russia or more language electives.

Based in Kyiv, Ukraine, this program takes you to Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia to discuss with local experts the conflicts in all these states, both past and present. You will explore identity as it is shaped by history and culture and consider how group interests and foreign interests influence policy-making and governance in multi-ethnic states. You will search for pragmatic solutions using the experience you gain on the ground. This program provides invaluable experience for anyone interested in diplomacy, policy, or conflict studies. 

This program includes Russian as a Second Language study at all levels.

In Kyiv, an intensive and supportive environment of Russian language study is paired with home stay to provide you with an immersive language and cultural experience. Out-of-classroom experiences and special lectures and workshops introduce you to Ukrainian identity, history, and the issues in contemporary Ukraine.  Kyiv is a very affordable option for study abroad, due to the many inclusions in this program (2 meals/day, subway transport card) and the generally low cost of living.

Part or all of your language study in this program may be replaced with Ukrainian.

Study alongside Russia's future political and business leaders at Russia's leading institution for international studies. Choose from an extensive list of courses in Russian or English and enjoy regular opportunities to attend talks given by visiting diplomats, politicians, economists, religious leaders, and other experts. 

Additional out-of-classroom activities take advantage of the wide intellectual and cultural resources of Moscow in a hands-on program designed to give you broad perspectives on Russian history, geography, international relations, economics, politics, and demographics. 

Moscow, Russia's political and economic capital, is home to not only most of Russia's federal government, but also most of Russia's major businesses and the Russian headquarters of international corporations. The city overflows with NGOs, museums, and cultural institutions. All of this offers students an extraordinary opportunity to make potential professional contacts, understand Russia's current development trajectory, and to take in as much Russian culture as possible in one location. Moscow is also Europe's largest city and a major regional hub for all of Eurasia. It is a diverse city, with cultural infrastructure serving a diverse population. In Moscow, you'll explore all of this as part of your guided cultural program. 

The Higher School of Economics (HSE) is one of Russia's best respected and most modern institutions for studying a range of topics. Classes available in English include Russian Studies (including history, literature, language, and other topics), economics, computer science, sociology, math, and much more.

Join SRAS for Spring Break in Russia! We will take you on a one-week grand introduction to modern Russia, its history, and its impressive culture. Follow knowledgable guides through the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Sample and learn more about the local and regional cuisines. Meet your local peers in both cities to talk about what life on the ground is really like. You'll tour world-class theaters, see a wide variety of art and architecture, and see the places where both local and world history was made. This spring break experience is for anyone with an interest in Russia and its current place in the world.

This two-week workshop is truly a unique and high-value experience. Elena Varshavskaya, who has led our art history and museum studies program in St. Petersburg for over 10 years, invites museum professionals to join her for two weeks of extensive exploration of the museums of St. Petersburg, Peterhof, and Moscow meeting curators, restorers, educators, and others.

This program is for museum professionals - from curators, educators, and restorers to those working with media, development ,and administration.

As Russia's most liberal city and a hub for education, business, and culture, St. Petersburg is a fascinating environment in which to look closely at the opportunities and challenges facing local and global media.

We look at media literacy, media environment, and global trends and examine how journalists and media consumers alike must adapt to a changing environment. Russian and American media will be the primary focus in this comparative study and photojouralism will be the practical application of the course.

This program is aimed at students of journalism, media, communication, international relations, and Russian language or area studies.

Russian as a Second Language is at the core of this program and during the academic year is combined with a range of electives taught in English on culture, history, politics, economics, finance, marketing, and more. Several courses focus on the intersection of these subjects: how the economy affects the arts and the role of cultural movements within society. An extensive cultural program and a weekend trip to Moscow is included. You'll gain a wider, fuller, first-hand perspective on Russia for your future career in government, business, or academia.

How can cultural and historical heritage be best preserved and transmitted? To answer this question, we will take a behind-the-scenes look at the Hermitage Museum, and explore the many museums of St. Petersburg -- including educational museums at schools of higher learning, scientific museums, museums of ethnography, memorial apartment museums, literary museums, political history museums, and more.

This program is for students of museum science/studies or museum management.

An increasingly serious attitude toward the Paris Agreement implies a substantial change to world economics through decarbonization efforts. This will require considerable cooperation between the hydrocarbon resource countries and energy consumers. There are many geopolitical and economic obstacles and it is of paramount importance to foster discussion on the future of energy in a decarbonized world.

This interdisciplinary course is aimed at students of economics, business, world economy, political science, international relations, energy studies/security, and sustainability studies.

Although a neighbor to the highly successful Pacific Asian nations of Japan, South Korea, and China, Russia's Far East has always lagged in terms of economic development because of historical, geographic, and policy challenges. Today, however, there are several ambitious projects focused on developing this massive and resource-rich Russian region. This program will critically analyze and explore first-hand many of these projects, including the free port, special economic zones, the "Far East Hectare" project, and infrastructure initiatives in terms of both their investment attractiveness and socio-political value.

This program combines Russian language study with economics, politics, and culture in Russia's "Gateway to Asia."

Designed and launched jointly in 2015 by SRAS and Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland, this unique program addresses global issues from unique perspectives. Courses in security studies, cybersecurity, terrorism & hybrid warfare, genocide, democracy studies, international relations, diplomacy, Jewish studies, and more. Build your resume even more with a research internship at the Terrorism Research Center.