Russian Study Abroad

The Summer 2025 program will take place in Riga, Latvia.

This year's theme is "Traces of Russian and Soviet Empire." Immerse yourself in Russian culture, with all of its beauty and contradictions!

You will get to experience:

the Parliament of Latvia
the KGB Museum
the Soviet Bunker
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
Riga Art Nouveau Center
Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
medieval castles and churches
Jurmala and Cesis
the biggest covered market in Europe
two of the three Baltic states: Latvia and Lithuania
and MORE!

Approximate program dates:

June 30—August 10, 2025.

Program cost includes:

international health insurance; in-country support; BYU tuition; in-country tuition; airport pick-up in Riga, transfer, 6-week stay in a Russian host family; two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) seven days a week; daily language instruction; weekly partner conversation practice; printed materials; pre- and post-program testing; weekly excursions and tours; two group meals; and lots of unique experiences. You will learn about the history and culture of Russian and Soviet Empire while visiting a European country and a NATO member. It does not include airfare and personal expenses.

Scholarships are available!

BYU, the College of Humanities, the Department of German and Russian, and other entities on and off campus offer several scholarships for:

Humanities majors
Humanities minors
underrepresented groups
Pell Grant recipients
students in financial need
students going abroad for the first time
students doing research abroad
and others

Have you declared a Russian major or a minor? Is this your first educational experience abroad? Are you receiving Federal student aid? To find out what funding you can receive, visit https://germanrussian.byu.edu/scholarships.

Payment timeline:

1st Payment: $1,000 due upon acceptance (non-refundable)
2nd Payment: $2,000 due Feb. 21, 2025 ($1000 non-refundable)
3rd Payment: Program balance due by May 16, 2025
Tuition due by June 16, 2025

Earn 9 college credits (including 3 GE credits):

Russ 101, "1st-Year Russian, Part 1" (5 credits)
Russ 211, "2nd-Year Conversation" (.5-5 credits)
Russ 301, "Intermediate Russian Study Abroad" (2 credits)
Russ 330, "Cultural History of Russia" (3 credits; fulfills the Languages of Learning GE requirement; counts towards the Russian minor, the Russian language certificate, and the Russian major)
Russ 490r, "Traces of Russian and Soviet Empire" (1 credit)

Following the study abroad, students may register for an additional credit of Russ 490r, "Mentored Research," combining their academic interests with their experience on the study abroad.

No knowledge of Russian is required:

you will take Russ 101 on the program with an experienced instructor. However, if you have taken Russ 202 on campus by the start of the program, you will take Russ 301 in Riga.