Do you speak Russian at a high professional level (B2 or higher), with a wide vocabulary and strong knowledge of grammar - high enough that native speakers have stopped correcting you? Do you feel that because of this your learning of Russian has stalled? This is the course for you! An instructor will engage you in topical conversations, identify your weak points, provide detailed feedback and exercises, and work with you to bring your Russian to the next level – all in a convenient, online course designed around your schedule.

Heritage speakers - this is the course for you as well, with an individualized approach to correcting grammar, breaking habits of applying English structure to Russian, and filling in the gaps in your knowledge of Russian.

Four 60-minute sessions, scheduled individually

Looking to keep up and advance your Russian language skills? Perhaps you have taken Russian in the past, but cannot fit a full-time intensive language course into your schedule right now. Or maybe you teach Russian but have limited opportunity to advance your own skills and practice speaking with others at your level. Whatever your situation, if you are looking to improve your Russian in a convenient, online setting, this course is for you!

8-week minimum * 3 mornings per week x 50 min * All levels

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.

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 10 days in Cuba, followed by four weeks in Russia. Extend your stay with 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. 

Czech for Russian Learners is an online course aimed at those who have studied Russian for the equivalent of two years or more. It is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with (or continue study of) another Slavic language and boost your overall understanding and cultural integration should you choose to study in or otherwise visit the Czech Republic.

5 Wednesday evenings (60 minutes)

It is very difficult to imagine a Ukrainian special occasion meal without the holubtsi (cabbage rolls), where cabbage or grape leaves are wrapped around a stuffing and simmered in a rich sauce, typically tomato-based. Throughout history, every region of Ukraine has developed its own versions of holubtsi, adapting it to local ingredients and tastes. Join us as we prepare holubtsi as it is made in Tavria, a southern region of Ukraine often referred to as Tauris.

1 meeting, Saturday, February 13, 12-1pm ET

Chicken Kyiv is not found in Ukraine outside of Kyiv, but in Kyiv it is taken very seriously. No respectable Kyiv restaurant would dare to serve a badly cooked version. Much sought after for special occasions, there are only a handful of places that locals would trust to make the dish properly. Undoubtedly, it is a great treat to taste a well-cooked chicken Kyiv. You will love it from the moment the butter gushes from the cut and fills you plate with delicious herbal juice, a perfect condiment for your mashed potato. You can’t have a better gravy! You can't have a better chicken! Join us and learn to make this magical dish!

1 meeting, Saturday, March 13, 12-1pm ET

"In this two hour cooking class, we'll make what I consider THE Georgian meal, which you'll never get in any fancy Georgian restaurant: Ghomi and bazhe. A special mix of ground corn, slowly cooked into a stew, served piping hot with cool cilantro-garlic-walnut sauce." Join Michael Denner for another Georgian vegetarian cooking experience!

1 meeting, Saturday, January 30, 4-6pm ET

Practice and advance your Russian outside of the classroom with a native Russian-speaking peer! Learning Russian is more fun (and practical) if you get a chance to use it to interact with someone in Russia. These online, individual sessions allow you to apply what you are learning by taking part in an informal conversation with a Russian peer. 

Five 30-minute sessions, scheduled individually

Looking to keep up and advance your Russian language skills? Perhaps you have taken Russian in the past, but cannot fit a full-time intensive language course into your schedule right now. Or maybe you teach Russian but have limited opportunity to advance your own skills and practice speaking with others at your level. Whatever your situation, if you are looking to improve your Russian with a minimal time commitment in a convenient, online setting, this course is for you!

8-week minimum * Wednesdays, 8-9pm EST * All levels

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.

Looking to keep up and advance your Russian language skills? Perhaps you have taken Russian in the past, but cannot fit a full-time intensive language course into your schedule right now. Or maybe you teach Russian but have limited opportunity to advance your own skills and practice speaking with others at your level. Whatever your situation, if you are looking to improve your Russian with a minimal time commitment in a convenient, online setting, this course is for you!

8 week minimum * 2x per week x 90 min * All levels

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.

**Enrollment for spring 2021 is still open.**

Learn the most used Russian idioms and speak beautiful, idiomatic Russian. Idioms are important, essential for understanding everyday spoken Russian as well as the language of media and fiction. They will help you to speak on more emotional topics, in a more expressive way. Want to be an insider? Want to laugh when everyone else laughs? Then join us and add the most popular Russian idioms to your vocabulary in this hybrid live/self-study course.

6 Saturdays, late morning/early afternoon (60 minutes) * 3 levels available

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. 

This online series will look at Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from three perspectives - history, security, and democracy. This is a live and interactive lecture series providing an intensive introduction to the history and current issues in a region that has undergone tremendous change over the course of the past century. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the fall of communism, it is an appropriate time to consider both the causes and consequences of such rapid change.

3 sessions (Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 3): 10:00am - 2:00pm EST

The Russian Far East is a vital part of Russia that few understand. Ten time zones and thousands of miles away from Moscow, it has a unique history and culture. Explore this complex region with us, and you will gain a deeper understanding of Russia as a whole.

This course covers a range of issues related to the history and modern development of the Russian Far East and its administrative center, the city of Vladivostok. We will take into account modern approaches to and assessments of the key problems the region has faced from the moment of its entry into Russia until the present time.

4 Tuesdays, Evenings EST

Perspectives on Ukrainian Identity is a multidimensional look at the people and events which have shaped Ukrainian identity. Starting from a broad introduction to Ukrainian history, we then move to four focused events - both tragic and heroic - that have had an outsized influence on modern Ukrainian identity. We will come to understand the geography, history, politics, and geopolitics of this large and fascinating country. We combine lecture, "live" visits to sites of relevance, and panel discussions with Ukrainian students as they reflect on their own history and identity.

4 Saturdays 10:00am- 11:30am EST

2020 has provided us with many opportunities to look at the world from varying perspectives, to consider the rise of globalism and its effects, and to evaluate the relationships between countries. Join us online as we examine the US-Russia relationship in depth from the perpective of foreign policy.

In Part I* of this course we looked at US-Russia relations through the lenses of history, national behavior, and the media. Participation in Part I is not necessary to participate in Part II.

4 Saturdays 10:00am-12:15pm EST

Polish for Russian Learners is an online course aimed at those who have studied Russian for the equivalent of two years or more. It is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with (or continue study of) another Slavic language and boost your overall understanding and cultural integration should you choose to study in or otherwise visit Poland.

5 Wednesday evenings (60 minutes)

Are you looking for a way to earn money on your language skills? Fast-track your way into a career with these practical, online courses.

The Legal & Court Interpreter course introduces participants to legal and court interpreter roles and skills, interpreter ethics, and legal and court terminology in both English and the target language. Students gain an understanding of the legal system and take a close look at the Standards and Procedures for Court Interpreters, the document which regulates professional court interpreting.

The Medical Interpreter course prepares you to act as a medical interpreter, facilitating communication between doctor and patient, helping to prevent misdiagnosis, and improving health outcomes. 

Legal & Court Interpreter: 7 weeks, 45 hours * Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm EST
Medical Interpreter: 7 weeks, 60 hours * Wednesdays, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm EST, and Saturdays, 10.00 am - 12.30 pm EDT & 1 pm - 3.30 pm EST.​​​​​

This course is a multi-faceted look at Mikhail Bulgakov's masterpiece, The Master and Margarita. Reading this work, loved by Russians and learners of Russian, is nothing short of an adventure. It is no wonder why it was long considered one of the greatest novels of all time.

We will navigate our way through this work with five lectures and a virtual "live" visit to the Bulgakov Museum in Moscow and Patriarchi Ponds, the setting of the events of the first chapter.

4 weekday evenings 8:00 - 9:30pm EST + 1 Saturday morning virtual excursion

Without Anton Pavlovich Chekhov drama it is impossible to imagine Russian classics. It is not only due to the ingenious courage of the author, who changed the idea of the expressive possibilities of the theater. Dramas by A.P. Chekhov are also a subtle image of the Russian national world, full of pain and tenderness, in all its incongruities, comedy and tragedy.

The Cherry Orchard is an existential drama set in an idyllic estate with a cherry orchard that represents an old Russia destined to disappear. The play was written in 1903, shortly before the first Russian revolution. After the revolution, it became regarded by contemporaries as a prediction of an impending historical catastrophe, and, ironically, is also known as one of Chekhov's most lyrical comedies.

4 weekday evenings 8:00 - 9:30pm EST + 1 Saturday morning virtual excursion

The Brothers Karamazov is one of Fyodor Dostoevsky's most famous novels. Using elements drawn from the genre of crime fiction, he creates a compelling story. However, the greatness of the novel is found in its philosophical questioning. The reader is much more likley to be struck by the unanswered existential and ontological questions the novel raises than by any suspense drawn in the search for the killer. 

We will take a multi-faceted look at The Brothers Karamazov. We will navigate our way through this work with five lectures and a virtual "live" visit to the Dostoevsky Museum in St. Petersburg. 

4 weekday evenings 8:00 - 9:30pm EST + 1 Saturday morning virtual excursion

The novel Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak is one of the most iconic texts of Russian literature of the 20th century. In Soviet times, it was a subject of ideological dispute, and in the new era – an object of interest for theorists of literature, filmmakers, and theater directors. For the author himself, it was the book of his entire life. History and time, destiny of the people and one man, worship to the idea and love, nature and culture – everything is combined in a complex pattern of life, which Boris Pasternak gently reflects in his novel. While reading the novel it seems everything happens by chance. However, the main question is what is chance?

This course is a multi-faceted look at Boris Pasternak's masterpiece, Dr. Zhivago. We will navigate our way through this work with five lectures and a virtual "live" visit to Peredelkino, the writers' village outside of Moscow, where the novel was written.

4 weekday evenings 8:00 - 9:30pm EST + 1 Saturday morning virtual excursion

Anna Karenina is one of the world's great novels of psychological prose. Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy's work, a love story focusing on Karenina and Vronsky, remains popular and relevant today. In part, this is thanks to the ideas Tolstoy and his characters present about happiness – subtle, ephemeral and at the same time vital to maintaining one's state of mind.

We will take a multi-faceted look at Anna Karenina. We will navigate our way through this work with five lectures and a virtual "live" visit to Yasnaya Polyana, where Tolstoy lived and wrote this novel as well as War and Peace.

4 weekday evenings 8:00 - 9:30pm EST + 1 Saturday morning virtual excursion

In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed, leaving the United States alone as the world’s superpower. These four immersive weeks will see us working to understand why the winds of change blew across communist Russia and its central and east European satellites during the 1980s and why these events are the essential backdrop for understanding current events, some thirty years later. Why did Mikhail Gorbachev seek to reform the Soviet challenge to Western hegemony and how did the population at home and in the Warsaw Pact countries take advantage of this situation? Why did liberal democracy have so much difficulty then solidifying itself across this space in the decades after? And why does Vladimir Putin once again poise a real challenge to the US and the independent countries which surround him?   

This program will travel to four former communist nations (Russia, Poland, Germany, and Ukraine) to examine this time of change and its lasting legacy in the region.

Are there aspects of Russian grammar that trip you up again and again? Areas that you really want to drill until they come naturally? The Russian Grammar Challenge is an opportunity for you to focus on some of the more challenging aspects of the Russian language. Sometimes simply hearing another explanation or taking another approach can make all the difference. Or you may need more focused practice time in a small group setting. In this online course, we focus on making the grammar come naturally in your speech.

6 Saturdays, morning/early afternoon (60 minutes) * 4 levels available

Is there anything more wonderful than an experience? If you are looking for a unique gift for a colleague, friend, family member or other loved one, consider gifting an SRAS gift certificate, which can be used toward an online class or any SRAS study abroad program, and has the added benefit of giving the recipient something to look forward to! 

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.

This course offers an opportunity to learn, quickly and within the Russian context, the basic codes, skills and values of journalism. Reporting competencies include spot news, feature writing, broadcast techniques, and working with editors in an international-bureau arrangement. Students begin with a crash course in journalism before leaving for St. Petersburg, and once in country, they focus on “live” stories, working from simpler to more complex pieces in several genres. 

This course is designed as a practicum, a supplement to The Changing Energy Landscape or The Art & Science of Museums courses. It is equally valuable to students of journalism seeking the knowledge base from which to write on these topics and to students already versed in these disciplines looking to further develop their writing skills.

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.

Already planning to study abroad with SRAS? Enroll in up to 4 weeks/4 credits of online study before and/or after your time abroad. 

Rolling dates and admissions relative to study abroad dates

Explore the thin line between reality and fiction in literature, film, and gaming. We will look at science fiction from the perspectives of sociology, security, and political science. We will consider science fiction as a predictor – and ponder upon futurology and foresight. Alongside a series of discussions and workshops, we will be working on essays for publication in a course anthology and exploring the new field of prototype/design fiction and micro science fiction prototyping (µSFP).

3-week online course + 3 week writing seminars

Ukrainian for Russian Learners is an online course aimed at those who have studied Russian for the equivalent of two years or more. It is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with another Slavic language and boost your overall understanding and cultural integration should you choose to study in or otherwise visit Ukraine. Introductory level offered, as well as continuing levels for those who would like to continue beyond the first 5 weeks.

5 Saturdays, morning/early afternoon (60 minutes)

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 threats, democracy studies, international relations, diplomacy, identity, Jewish studies, and more. Build your resume even more with a research internship at the Terrorism Research Center.

Whether you have a specific need to embark on the Russian language or are simply curious, this online course is your opportunity to try it out. Is it really as hard as it looks? What does it sound like? 

This short course is appropriate for any age - from ambitious high school students to working professionals and lifelong learners. It is appropriate if you are simply in the planning stages of a trip to Russia, or any number of countries where Russian remains the lingua franca.

Four 60-minute meetings + asynchronous supplemental material

Practice and advance your Russian outside of the classroom with a native Russian-speaking peer! Learning Russian is more fun (and practical) if you get a chance to use it to interact with someone in Russia. These online, small group sessions allow you to apply what you are learning by taking part in an informal conversation with a Russian peer.  Each new topic gives you an opportunity to learn a little more about life in Russia!

6 sessions * Saturdays @ 11 am EST OR Thursdays @ 9 pm EST