Russia

What comes first to mind when you think of Russia? Vodka? Rich oligarchs? The Kremlin? St. Petersburg? Military parades? Matryoshka dolls? Fur hats? Cold war? Russia, the enormous country between the Baltic Sea and the Bering Sea, has so much to offer. Not in the least the 766 universities in 82 regions of the country, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok.

Russians rightly take enormous pride in their heritage. The country has given the world many great writers, poets, philosophers, composers, artists and musicians: Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Feodor Dostoyevsky, Nikolai Rerikh, Sergey Rakhmaninov, Boris Pasternak, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergey Eisenstein, Mstislav Rostropovich... Literature, ballet, classical music, architecture, painting, theater and cinema. Today, Russian cities are centers of cultural life, where exhibitions, festivals, concerts, shows, performances and other cultural and entertainment events take place on a national and international level. The Bolshoi Theater, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the Hermitage, and St. Isaac's Cathedral are Russian cultural sights known worldwide, attracting millions of tourists every year. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg on the list of things worth seeing. 30 Russian cultural sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition to the Kremlin and Red Square, the UNESCO list includes the monuments of Novgorod, Suzdal, Vladimir, the Holy Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius, Lake Baikal, the volcanoes of Kamchatka, the Golden Mountains of Altai, the Novodevichy Convent, the Curonian Spit, and others. Many universities organize trips for students. The choice is almost endless: from the Golden Ring spanning 8 ancient Russian cities to traveling the legendary route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. 

In terms of study facilities, Russian universities are a match for many western universities. High-level equipment for laboratories, scientific centers and study facilities are now a reality of student life today. Most Russian universities have their own dormitories with a relatively low cost of accommodation. 

Ever thought about learning Russian? The Russian language is spoken by about 260 million people worldwide and some 10.5 million foreigners are regularly learning Russian. Maybe you will take your chance too to learn the language. Russian universities offer different Russian language programs, including courses and summer schools. But if you don’t have the time, no problem, more and more Russian universities are offering programs taught in English. 

In such a vast country you can choose not only a course of study or university, but even your preferred climate – from a moderate continental climate in the European part of the country to the subtropical Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and southern Crimea. Besides this the Russian constitution guarantees freedom of conscience: Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and representatives of other faiths peacefully coexist here. The country's multinational and ethnic structure illustrates the diversity of all spheres of life, from cultural to domestic. Unsurprisingly, many foreigners arriving in Russia feel at home here. Russian universities are proud of their long experience in the training and acclimatization of international students: supervisory programs are arranged for first-year students and there is an established network of student communities. 

And are you fond of sports? Russia is the place for you. More than 60% of residents and 71% of students in Russia are involved in sport. Sports facilities include 70,000 gyms, 140,000 sports pitches and fields, and 4,800 swimming pools, accessible to all. Russian universities typically have their own sports facilities and are well placed to offer students excellent opportunities to get involved in sport. 

Maybe also good to know: Students in Russia are eligible for a range of discounts, including for travel on public transport, for visiting museums, libraries, theaters, concert halls, parks and other public and entertainment facilities. So all in all, why wait any longer! Apply quickly for a short term program in Russia.

Greeting: Zdrastvuyte (hello)

Did you know that in the Hermitage 70 live cats to keep the palace free from mice and rats. They have been living there since Catarina the Great