Russia – AFS Program (Summer)
What is Russia?
The only truthful fact you know about Russia is probably the following: Russia is the biggest country in the world. Well, that’s really true.
In Russia you can find everything you want. European traditions, fashion, cuisine, pop culture. At the same time Russians combine these new comings with their old Slavic way of thinking and living. What’s more as Russia is said to be both Asian and European country.
So, can you imagine what a mixture exists here in Russia? Mixture of cultures, nationalities, languages, religions and types of personality. This makes Russia so attractive, so unpredictable and charming! Openness and kindness will make your heart melt.
Don’t think that Russia is for courageous people. Russia is for everybody, because whatever race you are, whatever age you are and whatever language you speak, you will find your place here among this beautiful and exciting mixture!
Russia is a vast country; it covers one-eighth of the world’s surface and extends across 11 time zones. Rich in natural beauty, history, and culture, the country offers extreme differences of terrain, from steppes to snowy mountains, deserts to tundra, grassy meadows to mighty rivers. Its cities offer some of the finest museums on earth, as well as world-class ballet, opera, theatre, and music. Family life is very important in Russia, and your hosting experience will probably include extended family members who will want to get to know you. You will also find a whole new cuisine to sample in Russia, with many dishes based around pork, noodles, chicken, potatoes, cabbage, rice, and soups such as borscht (beet soup) and shchi (cabbage soup).
Study abroad in Russia and experience family, school, and community life in this exciting and intriguing country.
- There are NO bears wondering along the streets and knocking at your doors after midnight.
- Winter in Russia is NOT a global fridge where everybody turns into a huge icicle.
- Russians DO drink other liquids than vodka. Most of the time it’s tea.
- Russians HAVE GOT microwaves, so they DON’T really eat raw meat,
- They HAVE GOT television and Internet, and so you DON’T have to knit all day long.
- 98% of Russian people are NOT robbers, murderers, skinheads or prostitutes.
- There is NO mafia waiting for you at every other corner.
- There are hundreds of large cities in addition to Moscow and Saint Petersburg; otherwise there is NO sense in possessing such a huge but empty territory.
- Siberia is neither a city nor a separate country or republic it’s just a name of a big area on the East.
- Communists DON’T rule the country; they are hardly even supported by someone except oldies.
- Putin IS NOT a despot and there is NO prison-like tyranny. Russia is a democratic country and people do whatever they want but according to constitution.
- Russian people eat NOT only potatoes and chicken. They adore them though.
Program Description
School
The school year runs from September through May, with three short vacations between the terms. June is reserved for examinations. Required subjects include Russian literature, math, history, politics, psychology, foreign languages, ecology and other sciences, art, music, and physical education. Schools sometimes offer extracurricular opportunities in dance, voice, music, or sports, and volunteers arrange cultural and social events. AFS Participants will have the opportunity to attend an orientation/language camp in addition to a post-arrival orientation. Students may have the option to participate in one- or two-week exchanges to different regions of the country.
Language Lessons
Besides, intensive course (5 hours a day) during the second orientation camp Russian lessons are included in school schedule and conducted by school teachers specially prepared by AFS RUS to teach foreigners. AFS RUS provides students with Russian textbook and other materials on Russian grammar and reading. At the end of the school year each student must pass an exam on Russian. Students also have a possibility to pass state exam on Russian and get a state certificate which allows them to be accepted by Russian University.
Extra Activities
In Russia we organize different range of activities each year so that our hosted participants can experience some of our wide cultural heritage. AFS RUS gives a wonderful opportunity to see different regions from North to South through international camps for AFS students and Russian teenagers. They take place during school vacations in various cities of our country Moscow, St. Petersburg included. In each camp there are plenty of activities conducted by AFS volunteers: presentations, discussions, games, music, disco, sport, sightseeing, visits to theatres, concerts, and museums. Besides, some trips and events are arranged by local chapters. Mandatory activities are paid for by AFS RUS, however all extra activities are optional and should be paid for by the participants. Each of them can be between $100 – $250.
AFS volunteers organize activities every month during the stay. These can include informal gatherings, picnics and weekend excursions as well as trips and international camps. We consider students to be the best “advertisement” of AFS and we want them to present the organization their countries and cultures on different levels: at schools, to local authorities, in mass media. Different activities depend on the local chapters. They are organized by volunteers (camps, travels, meetings, etc.).
