Duke in Russia: Nice, France

6-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM IN NICE, FRANCE

Study Russian Language & Culture

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Electives in Public Policy or Neuroscience Taught in English

The Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies and the Global Education Office for Undergraduates of Duke University has temporarily relocated the summer Russia program to Nice, France. The program is directed by Professor Edna Andrews of the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies of Duke University.

Program Fast Facts

Location: Nice, France

Dates: May 12 - June 22, 2025

Application Deadline: February 1

Academic Theme(s): Russian language and culture with track options for Public Policy Studies or Neuroscience

Credit Type: Duke Credit

Eligibility: The Russian language and culture courses are taught in Russian. Previous Russian language experience is therefore strongly suggested. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program.

Duke Affiliation: Department of Slavic & Eurasian Studies

Housing: Students will reside in a student center in Nice, France

Primary Contact: Cathy Lewis

  • On the way to see Swan Lake in St. Petersburg

  • Duke in Russia student

  • Student on Duke in Russia

  • Church in St. Petersburg

  • Gods of the Baltic

  • Gokovskaya

Academics

 

Students will enroll in one of these three options:

Students at all levels of Russian may participate.

Option 1: Russian Language & Culture

Courses taught completely in Russian.

  • Each student registers for two Duke Russian language courses appropriate to the student's level.

Option 2: Neuroscience AND Multilingualism

  • NEUROSCI 438AS / LINGUIST 473AS / RUSSIAN 438AS (NS, STS, R) Neuroscience and Multilingualism: In-depth analysis of PET, fMRI, MEG, EEG/ERP studies of multilingualism and their implications for linguistic theory.  A close examination of the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological aspects of imaging studies and the importance of neuro-functional explanations play a central role in building new theoretical paradigms of language acquisition, maintenance, and loss.NML is in Russian for 400-level and above. 
  • RUSSIAN 493A, 494A, or 990: Intensive study of contemporary Russian language and culture using visual and verbal textual documents. Outcomes include CEFR proficiency in 5 areas (OPI, listening comprehension, grammar/lexicon, reading, writing).

Activities

Program participants will enjoy a full complement of excursions, both day trips and extended trips, all included in the cost of the program. Excursion destinations change each summer.

HOUSING & MEALS

Students stay in a student center in Nice, France. Residences are furnished for living and studying. All the rooms have internet access, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Most rooms are double occupancy.

Some group meals will be provided but most meals are not included in the cost of the program. There are multiple options for meals, including take-out, dining out and simple kitchen settings in student housing.

Costs

Summer 2025 costs are TBD

Summer 2024 costs were:

  Duke Students Non-Duke Students
Tuition $5,680 $5,680
Program Fee $3,500 $3,500
Transcript Fee N/A $120
Other Costs Other Costs Other Costs
TOTAL (Estimated) $12,315 $12,435

 

Explanation of Costs

Financial Aid

Duke students receiving institutional need-based grant aid are eligible for aid for this program; work-study funds are converted to grants. Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.

Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.

Scholarships

Review summer study away scholarship opportunities for Duke students here: https://globaled.duke.edu/finances/scholarships

 

DATES

Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.

  • Arrival: May 12, 2025
  • Departure: June 22, 2025

Flights

You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyGlobalEd to update your travel registry.

Housing Before/After

You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.

Program Faculty & Staff

Edna Andrews

Nancy and Jeffrey Marcus Humanities Professor of Slavic and Eurasian Studies

Amy Bowes

GEO Associate Director

ADMISSIONS

Deadline: February 1

This program has rolling admission.  Application opens November 1.

PriorityPriority is given to applicants who apply early and have some Russian experience.

Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.

Non-Duke studentsNon-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.

Physical Requirements

Before applying to this program, you should assess and determine if you are physically or emotionally able to participate in the following physical demands required by some of this program’s activities:

  • Walking or hiking up to 2 miles in a day, sometimes for two or more days in a row, sometimes on hilly, uneven, or cobbled terrain 
  • Climbing and descending stairs 
  • Using public transportation, including sometimes crowded buses or trains 
  • Standing during tours and site visits 
  • Entering into older buildings with narrow and sometimes steep staircases, at times with limited or no access to elevators 
  • The possibility of warm/hot temperatures while residing in locations without air conditioning 

If you have questions or are concerned about these or any other program activities, please contact the Duke Office of Global Health and Safety (oghs@duke.edu)

APPLY

Submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:

  1. Online application
  2. Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
  3. Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate.
  4. Home university approval form (non-Duke students)
  5. Russian Language Placement Exam: After acceptance, all students must take a Russian Language placement exam. Duke students should consult with Professor Andrews regarding the time and place of this examination. Non-Duke students should indicate on their application the name and address of the faculty member who will proctor their examination. Exams must be returned to Professor Andrews before the stated deadline.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, handicap, sexual orientation or preference, gender, or age. 

STUDENT STORIES

On One's Own

"Experiencing a new place alone allows you to follow whatever fascinates you the most wherever it may go, and do what you desire."
 

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My Incredible Study Abroad Experience!

"I also loved meeting local university students and spending time speaking Russian, visiting less touristy spots like the “anti-time café” with them, and immersing myself in local culture and food."
 

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