Kazan, Russia

Kazan Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities

Russian

Intermediate and advanced

June 8 – August 9, 2010

Dates are inclusive of travel and the pre-departure orientation in Washington, DC. Students are required to participate in the full program, including the pre-departure orientation. All travel will be arranged for participants following selection.

The CLS Program offers courses designed to develop students’ listening, reading, speaking, spoken interaction, and writing skills. Students will receive a minimum of 20 hours per week of formal classroom instruction in subjects such as speech, literature, phonetics, and grammar. Courses may use classic Russian literature or current newspapers and magazines to build students’ vocabulary and lexical knowledge, as well as provide insight into Russian politics, economics, history, and society. Participants will also be required to take part in organized semi-formal and informal learning activities that will promote interaction with the host community and culture. These activities will support the formal classroom instruction.

In addition, students will participate in a variety of cultural enrichment lectures and activities. The program will plan excursions to locations such as the Kazan Kremlin, the historic city of Elabuga, the Sviyazhsk fortress, the National Art Gallery of Tatarstan, and the ancient settlement of Bolgar.

All components of the CLS Program have been developed as part of the language acquisition process. CLS participants are required to attend all program components, including, but not limited to, language instruction (formal/informal), cultural activities, and excursions. Absences will only be excused for medical or other approved reasons.

Students will be housed with host families and will receive stipends to cover meals not included with the home stay.

Established in 1989, the language center at the Kazan Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities has provided Russian instruction to hundreds of foreign students. Located in the heart of historic Kazan, the center offers students the opportunity to explore the country’s past and present while learning Russian. Students can visit the Kazan Kremlin, a World Heritage Site, or explore the city’s theaters, museums, parks, shops, and cafes. The capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan is home to more than 70 nationalities, including Tatars, Russians, and others. It is often called the “Third Capital” of Russia.