University of Georgia Immersion in the Russian Language, Culture, and Communities in the Baltics (IRLCCB) Program The University of Georgia Immersion in the Russian Language, Culture, and Communities in the Baltics (IRLCCB) Program offers an intensive study abroad experience that capitalizes on intellectually rich cultural hubs of Russian emigre residing in Riga, Latvia. The program is designed for students working towards advanced proficiency in Russian with an interest in gaining geopolitical understanding of the Russian sphere of influence in the Baltics and in growing their global and intercultural awareness competency by engaging with Russian-speaking communities in the heart of Eastern Europe. Program Overview IRLCCB's rigorous immersive environment includes intensive academic programming and a wide selection of planned interactions with the local Russian-speaking community. Thus, the curriculum features an average of 20 hours of formal instruction per week, with additional individualized tutoring (2 hours/week) and semi-structured social activities with conversational partners (4+ hours/week) and a Russian area studies lecture series. The program offers homestays with carefully vetted Russian-speaking families, including breakfast and dinners with host families. Students additionally enjoy weekly excursions around Riga and Latvia, as well as guided multi-day trips to Prague, the Czech Republic; Tallinn, Estonia; and Stockholm/Uppsala, Sweden, allowing for an exploration of the intertwined histories, politics, and cultures of Scandinavian and East Slavic territories. All courses are taught by experience faculty in small groups. A mandatory pre-departure orientation is offered virtually in May, and an additional conference-style in-country, post-arrival orientation is held in the beautiful coastal town of Jurmala, Latvia prior to the start of classes. The Baltic Center for Academic and Educational Development serves as the study abroad partner. While BCAED program staff provide 24/7 emergency and logistical support, UGA’s full-time resident director oversees and coordinates all aspects of the study abroad programming and serves as the first point of contact and advisement. The program welcomes applications from students from other institutions, with a preference to students pursuing the Russian Flagship Certification. This program is approved to receive the Russian Flagship* funding for Summer 2023 (non-UGA students must request support from their home Language Flagship Institutions). *The Language Flagship is a national initiative to change the way Americans learn languages through a groundbreaking approach to language education for students from kindergarten through college. Learn more at https://www.thelanguageflagship.org. Credit Hours: 9 Proficiency Targets The program will offer tracks leading to Intermediate Mid, Intermediate High, and Advanced Low-Mid proficiency levels. Students take placement tests during the process of admission to the program. Program Dates June 10th-August 4th, 2025 Program Cost Program Fee: $5,800 (includes meals and housing with a host family) + UGA Tuition (9 credit hours): $2,934 UGA Summer Fees: $98 Airfare: TBD Previous Participants' Testimonials: Incredible, memorable for life experience! This was a fantastic program. It was academically tight, well-run and managed, had high-quality host families and great opportunities and excursions all across the board. When I think about where my Russian was before and after the program, the progress I see is immense. This program was the most rewarding way that I could have spent my summer. I was surrounded by like-minded students in an environment that challenged us and improved our language skills. We had opportunities to improve and practice in the classroom and at masterclasses, workshops, lectures, tutoring, excursions, and living with our host families. A remarkable experience that will positively shape students and provide them with the toolsets to engage in the global environment. They weren't kidding when they said this program was intensive, but I gained so much knowledge, opportunities, and friendships along the way. I would do this program six times over if it meant that I could experience Riga again. The program was free for me thanks to the scholarship, but had I paid for everything myself I would have found the program to be entirely worth it. Contact Us or Apply Now: For any questions and inquiries about the University of Georgia Immersion in the Russian Language, Culture, and Communities in the Baltics (IRLCCB) Program or to apply, contact the program director, Dr. Victoria Hasko, at vhasko@uga.edu and visit the UGA Study Away Portal. All application materials for the Summer 2025 program are due on Tuesday, January 10, 2025. Apply Now
