Russian Flagship Programs

Program Summary

The Overseas Russian Flagship provides undergraduate students enrolled at Domestic Russian Flagship Programs an opportunity for intensive, professional language training and development, as well as direct enrollment at St. Petersburg State University. The Overseas Program also accepts a limited number of post-BA and graduate students, working professionals, and heritage speakers already at the Advanced-Mid or Advanced-High language level. The program also offers a comprehensive study of all aspects of contemporary Russian life and culture. This exciting academic-year-long program is conducted entirely in Russian in St. Petersburg, Russia. The program is hosted by the Russian Language and Culture Institute (former Special Department of Philology) of St. Petersburg State University, affording Flagship students access to courses and academic resources of one of the world's best-known centers for the study of Russian language and culture and one of Russia's most respected universities.  The Program in Russia is administered by American Councils for International Education under the terms of a cooperative agreement with St. Petersburg State University. 

Student Advising and On-Program-Support

Overseas Flagship students are required to take part in a pre-departure orientation conference in Washington, D.C., as well as an in-country orientation, upon their arrival in St. Petersburg.  American Councils provides a full-time on-site American Resident Director and local homestay/internship coordinator for the St. Petersburg Flagship Program, as well as a U.S. Academic Director, who works closely with the St. Petersburg-based Academic Coordinator and program faculty on academic issues.  The Academic Director visits the St. Petersburg program several times throughout each academic year to assess program work and meet with students and faculty, and  regularly communicates with students online.  American Councils and Language Flagship U.S.-based administrative staff are available to assist current and prospective students throughout the year.  All students receive accident and illness insurance (including access to EuroMed facilities); 24/7 assistance  is provided by St. Petersburg-based American Councils program staff.   

Program Structure and Applicants

The Russian Overseas Flagship consists of two components: the Undergraduate Program and Post-BA Program.  While both programs follow the same basic curriculum, there are some variations in the length of the program and course requirements.  Also, the programs accept different categories of applicants.

Undergraduate Program:

All students who are enrolled at one of the Russian Domestic Programs and reach the required proficiency level in Russian are accepted to the Overseas Program, upon recommendation of the Russian Overseas Academic Council. 

Post-BA Program:

This program accepts applicants who did not participate in a Domestic Flagship Program and already have a bachelor's degree. The participants are selected on the basis of their Russian language skills, academic merits, working experience, and ability to demonstrate how advanced Russian skills are going to help their career plans. Applicants to the Flagship Post-BA Program must either possess a B.A. degree or expect to receive one before starting the program. Majoring in Russian is not necessary, but successful applicants who are not heritage speakers must have completed at least three years of Russian at a college level.

2013-2014 Calendar of Activities: