Duke in Russia
6-week summer program at St. Petersburg University
Study Russian Language & Culture
Apply NowElectives 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 offer two programs based at the St. Petersburg University in St. Petersburg, Russia. The program is directed by Professor Edna Andrews of the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies of Duke University.
St. Petersburg, located near the Gulf of Finland, is the second largest Russian city. Some of the most outstanding features of St. Petersburg are its beautiful palaces and churches and the "White Nights,” which peak at the end of June.
Program Fast Facts
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
Term: Summer
Dates: May 9–June 20, 2020
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.
Duke Affiliation: Department of Slavic & Eurasian Studies
Housing: Students reside in university housing in St. Petersburg and in hotels on excursions
GEO Advisor: Carolyn Covalt
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On the way to see Swan Lake in St. Petersburg
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Duke in Russia student
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Student on Duke in Russia
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Church in St. Petersburg
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Gods of the Baltic
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Gokovskaya
Academics
Duke in Russia offers three different options. Each option consists of two courses and has a different focus, according to student interest. Options 2 and 3 do not require any previous knowledge of the Russian language. Option 1 requires some previous language knowledge, depending on which level of instruction is desired.
Option 1: Russian Language & Culture
For Options 1-3, students at all levels of Russian may participate.
- Each student registers for two Duke Russian language courses appropriate to the student's level. Course placements are based on previous coursework and a placement examination. All students are required to take a test at the end of the program. Grades are based on performance in class and all written examinations (including the final). Examinations in the program are developed and graded by the Department of Slavic Languages and Eurasian Studies of Duke University.
- Course numbers are based on the student placement testing and/or proficiency testing. The most common courses that students take are 112AS, 207AS/208AS, 307AS/308AS, 401A/402A, and 493A/494A which are Russian Language and Culture courses at different levels.
Option 2: Neuroscience AND Multilingualism
For Options 1-3, students at all levels of Russian may participate.
- COURSE 1: 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.
- COURSE 2: One of the following – RUSSIAN 112AS, 207AS, 208AS, 307AS, 308AS, 401A, 402A, 493A, or 494A Russian Language and Culture: Intensive study of contemporary Russian language and important elements of Russian culture. Outcomes include measurable Common European Framework (CEFR) proficiency standards in speaking, reading, writing, listening comprehension, and grammar.
Option 3: Global Russia
For Options 1-3, students at all levels of Russian may participate.
- COURSE 1: PUBPOL 399A / CULANTH 399A / ICS 399A / RUSSIAN 399A (CZ, SS, CCI, EI) Global Russia: This course focuses on the globalization of Russian culture as manifested in popular and academic cultural forms, including political ideologies, media and artistic texts, film, theatre and television, markets, educational and legal institutions, historical and contemporary social movements and ethical issues
- COURSE 2: One of the following – RUSSIAN 112AS, 207AS, 208AS, 307AS, 308AS, 401A, 402A, 493A, or 494A Russian Language and Culture: Intensive study of contemporary Russian language and important elements of Russian culture. Outcomes include measurable Common European Framework (CEFR) proficiency standards in speaking, reading, writing, listening comprehension, and grammar.
Excursions
Each summer, program participants enjoy a full complement of excursions, both day trips and extended trips, all included in the cost of the program. Excursions include transportation, guided tours, most meals, and lodging for overnight trips. Below are some possible group excursions with Duke in Russia. Excursion destinations are subject to change each summer.
An excursion of several days to some area in the Russian Federation is being arranged, and will be announced later this fall. During the last week of the program, the group will be "on tour" in Moscow.
In each of the Russian cities, the program will include visits to major sights as well as to cultural performances in the evenings (ballet, opera, theater, etc.). The program then returns to St. Petersburg for departure. Weekends and afternoons will be used for films, concerts, and excursions to local sites and other cities near St. Petersburg.
Costs
Summer 2020
Estimates are based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,158 | $7,158 |
| Program Fee | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $40 |
| Other Costs | Other Costs | Other Costs |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $13,058 | $13,098 |
Explanation of Costs
Included in Program Fee
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- International SOS coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
Not Included in Program Fee
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
The program fee does not include:
- Airfare*
- Airport transportation to/from program site
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa and/or residency permit (if needed, see note below)
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Internet usage
- Mobile phone
- Laundry
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
*Students will pay for airfare separately through a travel agent specified by the program director. Funds once sent to Russia are not recoverable. After the international plane ticket is issued, 10% of the cost of the ticket will be charged for cancellation.
Visa cost estimates above are based on U.S. citizenship status. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please be sure to research the cost of obtaining a visa for Russia.
Some students may need to travel to a consulate or embassy to obtain a visa. If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyGlobalEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $1,500-2,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
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
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
- Mac Anderson Scholarship
- Limited funding is available to full-time Duke students who plan to go to Russia on the Duke in Russia program to study language and culture. Priority is given to students who wish to continue language study after finishing Duke University's language requirement of three semesters and are majoring or minoring in Russian. Contact the faculty director for details.
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 9, 2020
- Departure: June 20, 2020
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
Program faculty director(s) can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the GEO representative listed.
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: February 1
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. Application opens November 1.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early and meet the prerequisites.
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.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
Non-Duke students: Non-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.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
APPLY
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:
- Online application
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate
- Academic letter of recommendation (one)
STUDENT STORIES
Meet with a GEO advisor
Not sure where to start? Prefer to talk to someone? Schedule an appointment with a GEO advisor to get personalized recommendations and answers to your questions.