russian language and area studies program

106 Pages·2013·1.39 MB·English

R L A
USSIAN ANGUAGE AND REA
S P
TUDIES ROGRAM

Moscow

S 2013 P H
UMMER ROGRAM ANDBOOK
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES PROGRAM
SUMMER 2013

HANDBOOK FOR PARTICIPANTS
Edited by Thomas Kiekhafer
Office of Russian and Eurasian Programs
American Councils for International Education

Copyright 2013
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1828 L Street, NW Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 6

I. Life as a Student Abroad in Russia 8
Role of the Resident director and other staff 8
Program Rules and Policies 9
-Substance Abuse Policy 9
-Attendance Policy 10
-Excursions 10
-Independent Travel Policy 11
-Payment Policy 11
-Refund Policy 12
Extending your stay in Russia 14
Important Documents: Visa, Migration Card, and Registration 15
Housing 15
-Home stay option 15
-Dormitory housing (for Moscow and St. Petersburg only) 17
Internships 18
Meeting Russians 19
-Tutor Program 20
-Round-tables, clubs, and other group activities 20
Common Cultural Differences between Americans and Russians 20
Gift Giving 25
Russian Holidays 26
Culture Shock 27

II. The Academic Program 29
Academic credit and Course Descriptions 29
Note on Final Grades 29
Transcripts and Transferring Credit to your Home Institution 30
Course Equivalencies 30
Research Paper Option for Academic Year students 30
A Few Notes on Academic Culture in Russia 31
Speaking Russian in the Classroom 33

III. Your Health and Well-Being 34
Staying Healthy in Russia 34
-Prescription Medicines 34
-Vaccinations 35
-Medical Insurance 35
-Dental 36
-Medical Facilities 36
-Drinking Tap Water 36
-HIV/AIDS test 36
3
-Sexually Transmitted Diseases 36
-Tuberculosis 37
Safety & Security 37
-Blending in (As Much As You Can) 38
-Being Aware of Your Surroundings 38
-Drinking Responsibly 38
-Avoid “Clubbing” 39
-Registered Taxis 39
-Observing Traffic Lights and Regulations 39
-Properly Securing Your Belongings to Avoid Theft 40
-Avoiding Public Gatherings 40
-Understanding How to Interact With the Police 41
-Avoiding Sexual Harassment and Assault 41

IV. Planning for Your Program 44
Airline Baggage Guidelines 44
-Checked Baggage 44
-Carry-on Baggage 44
-Excess and Overweight Baggage 45
Customs Inspection Entering Russia 45
Customs Inspection Leaving Russia 45
US Customs Regulations 46
What to Pack-Clothing 46
What to Pack-Other Items 48
Money 50
Exchanging Money in Russia 51
Spending Rubles 52
The Potential for Economic Crisis 52
Final Checklist before departure 53

V. Other Useful Information 54
Keeping in Touch 54
-Mail 54
-Cell Phones 54
-Calling Cards 54
-Collect Calls 55
-Calling Russia from the US 55
-Internet and Email 56
Visitors from Home 56
Traveling by Train in Russia 56

Conclusion 62

Your City and Host Institution 63

4
APPENDICES

Appendix A Contact Information

Appendix B Department of State Consular Information Sheet

Appendix C Centers for Disease Control Health Information for
Travelers to Russia

Appendix D Cultural Insurance Services Information

Appendix E Travel tips from the Transportation Security
Administration

Appendix F Bryn Mawr Course Descriptions

Appendix G Russian Host Institution/Bryn Mawr College
Course Equivalencies

Appendix H Personal Conduct Code
5
INTRODUCTION

Russia has for centuries perplexed, intrigued, infuriated, and frightened the West. As a
student of the language, you have probably felt these same emotions many times:
perplexed by prepositions, intrigued by intonation, infuriated by perfective verbs, and
downright frightened by the genitive plural. You have persisted, however, and your
decision to study abroad in Russia demonstrates your resolve to master this challenging
language and to deepen your understanding of Russian culture and history. Yet many
students are surprised to find upon returning home that their greatest gain from having
studied in Russia is neither linguistic nor academic, but something more personal: they
have become stronger, more independent individuals with a broader perspective on the
world.

You have chosen to study in one of three cities that reflect different sides of Russia today.
St. Petersburg, Russia’s most western city, is a monument to its past imperial grandeur.
A work of art in itself, St. Petersburg remains the center of Russia’s artistic life.
Moscow, once draped in Soviet symbols, has readily adopted the trappings of capitalism
and is now replete with neon billboards and shopping malls. Decidedly the center of
political and economic power, the capital now rivals St. Petersburg in culture and the arts.
Its pace of life can be relentless compared to the less frenetic lifestyle of St. Petersburg.
Although Vladimir is only 120 miles from Moscow, the pace of life here is leisurely.
Residents of Vladimir have more time to spend with friends and family, and this is
reflected in their warm hospitality. Vladimir has a population of 360,000 and is the
regional capital of the Vladimir province, yet it retains a small-town charm.

American Councils staff have written and updated this handbook to provide you with
information that will help to make your study-abroad experience a success. The first
chapter “Life as a Student Abroad in Russia” gives an overview of the American
Councils’ Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP). Program
policies, support staff, and student expectations are discussed in detail and we have also
included information on all of the program components that occur outside of the
classroom. After all, students on American Councils programs are granted a great deal of
freedom. They interact not only with other American Councils students and resident
directors, but with Russian friends and fellow students, as well as their host families and
tutors. To that end, we have also included in this chapter a short list of common cultural
differences to keep in mind while studying in Russia.

The second chapter explains in greater detail the academic component of your program.
It is important to read this section carefully, as Russian academic student expectations
differ significantly from those of the American system. Many students find the
differences exciting, but it is easy to be confused or to send the wrong signals if certain
basic assumptions are not understood.

The health and safety of students is our primary concern. The chapter “Your Health and
Well-Being” contains essential information how to stay healthy and safe while living in
Russia. This chapter discusses what students should do if they do get sick and introduces
6
the Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) health insurance policy. Both
students and parents should familiarize themselves with the insurance policy before
departure (please see the appendix). This section also outlines important steps you
should take in your behavior that will maximize your safety while participating on the
program. In many cases cultural norms in Russia and the United States are different, and
it is important to have guidelines to follow in order to avoid injury.

It is important to plan carefully what you will bring to Russia. The information provided
in the Chapter “Planning for Your Program” is designed to help you begin thinking about
what your personal needs in Russia will be and how best to pack for your time away.
Also included is valuable information about obtaining money, airline baggage policies,
and customs regulations for both the US and Russia.

The next chapter “Other Useful Information,” deals mostly with how to keep in touch
with family and friends back home. However, we have also included information in this
chapter about how to prepare for visitors from home and as well as very detailed
instructions on how to go about purchasing train tickets in Russia.

Finally, your host city/institution chapter provides more specific information about the
host city in which you will reside and the institution where you will study. Resident
directors have compiled information about your host institutions and surroundings, and
any other important programmatic items that are relevant to your city are also included in
this chapter.

There is no way for one handbook to describe completely what your experience in Russia
will mean to you, and what you will make of it. But by reading the information in this
volume you will be as prepared as you can be to make the most of your upcoming
experiences. If you have any questions which have not been suitably covered in this
handbook, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you. We look
forward to seeing you at orientation.

7
I. LIFE AS A STUDENT ABROAD IN RUSSIA

This chapter will discuss important information about the role of your resident director
and American Councils overseas support staff, matters related to your responsibilities as
a participant in this program, and rules and suggestions about your personal behavior.
There is also important information about other aspects of the program, including
excursions, independent travel, housing, gift suggestions, and opportunities to meet
Russians. Finally, we close out the chapter with a brief synopsis of culture shock so that
you will be better prepared to understand and meet the challenges you will face while
living and studying in Russia.

Role of the Resident director (RD)

The resident director (RD) is the American Councils’ group representative at the host
institute and will be your primary contact while you are studying in Russia. She or he
serves as the primary liaison between American Councils and your host institution in the
daily coordination of the administrative and academic aspects of the program.
Navigating the bureaucracy of Russian academia and facilitating communication among
Russian faculty and staff is a daunting and time-consuming task that constitutes a
significant portion of your resident director’s duties. In addition, your resident director is
responsible for all legal and administrative matters regarding your stay in Russia,
especially the proper registration of visas and passports. Furthermore, the resident
director is responsible for the welfare and well-being of American Councils students.
This often requires the resident director to accompany sick students to health clinics and
pharmacies and to resolve health-related crises as they arise. Resident directors also
arrange all local and out-of-town excursions.

All health, housing, administrative, legal, and academic problems should be reported to
your resident director without delay-with few exceptions, he or she has the authority to
resolve these matters. Resident directors carry cellular phones and are on-call 24 hours a
day.

The resident director also plays an important role in your overall academic program.
First, the RD is responsible for assessing each student’s progress throughout the semester
based on academic participation (both in class and out of class) and overall participation
in the program. In addition, resident directors may assign additional oral or written
assignments throughout the duration of the program. Resident directors also regularly
attend classes to observe the academic effort and progress of students. Second, the RD
may also be involved in matters concerning the denial of academic credit or the expulsion
of a participant from the program for violations of academic or administrative policies.

Please note that academic year participants will not be able to call on their resident
director for assistance during the break between semesters, as RDs are usually in the US
during this time. During this interval, local American Councils staff can provide you
with assistance.

8
American Councils Overseas Staff

In Russia, American Councils operates under the name АСПРЯЛ (Американский совет
преподавателей русского языка и литературы). American Councils has regional
offices in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other cities in Russia that are ready to provide
emergency aid at any time. American Councils also has Russian staff in all three
locations that are available as resources. During your pre-departure orientation, you will
be given a wallet-sized card listing the regional office phone numbers as well as other
important numbers.

For reference, the addresses and key phone numbers for local support staff are included
in the appendix.

Basic Program Rules

The basic rules and regulations for this program are simple:

• Students must abide by a personal conduct code (signed at pre-departure
orientation in DC-see appendix), U.S. laws, Russian laws, and Russian host
institute regulations.
• Class attendance is mandatory (see attendance policy below for more detail).
• Academic and overnight excursions are mandatory (see excursions and travel
policy below for more detail).
• Students must use Russian in class, with institute staff and faculty, in the presence
of faculty and staff, and in the academic buildings. The use of English during
class is not acceptable unless initiated by the teacher. Students must also use
Russian on group excursions and regional field studies.

Violations of these rules can result in lowering of grades, denial of course credit,
expulsion from the program, and forfeiture of fees. Students are also reminded that
while they are residents on the territory of the Russian Federation, they are subject to
provisions of Russian law that may lack many of the presumptions and rights of the
American legal or criminal justice system, and that American citizenship provides no
special legal privileges or exemptions. Neither the US government nor American
Councils can provide you any immunity from Russian law.

Substance Abuse Policy (included in the personal conduct code)

All participants in the Bryn Mawr College/American Councils for International
Education Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies program are expected to take
responsibility for their personal conduct during the entire course of the program. This
responsibility includes obedience to local laws relating to illegal drugs. American
Councils or its affiliated host institutions cannot and will not protect staff or students
from prosecution for violations of these laws. Participants are also expected to exhibit
responsible behavior in the consumption of alcohol. Those who do not meet this
9