Study Abroad

C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad

The Middlebury College School in Russia offers programs for undergraduates wishing to spend a semester or a year in Moscow, Irkutsk or Yaroslavl . All programs, conducted entirely in Russian, emphasize both the development of language skills and an understanding of the rich cultural heritage of Russia and the Former Soviet Union.  You can find more extensive information on the three programs offered by visiting the C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad page. 

Students in Moscow study at the Russian State University for the Humanities and have the option to live in the dorm in central Moscow or with a host family.  A number of extracurricular activities are organized by the university as well as private clubs and organizations. Previous participants have taken ballroom dancing lessons, sung in the university choir, played water polo, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and ice hockey, taught English as a second language, played the piano, joined Christian and Jewish clubs, and frequented campus discotheques.  Internship placements in Moscow in the past have included work with NGOs, law firms, theaters, and computer organizations.

Yaroslavl': Yaroslavl' State University

Today an important regional political center and a modern (but not overwhelming) Russian city, Yaroslavl was founded by Yaroslav the Wise at the beginning of the 11th century at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers. The city approaches its 1000th anniversary as one of the great traditional centers of trade, culture and statecraft in the Russian heartland.  Yaroslavl State University has long been a popular site with students. Students in Yaroslavl are housed in double dormitory rooms, with a Russian roommate from Yaroslavl State University whenever possible. The dorm is located close to the university and includes a communal kitchen and shared bath on each floor. Students also have the option of living with a host family for an additional monthly fee, which includes breakfast and dinner daily.

Irkutsk:Irkutsk State University

Irkutsk State University is located in the picturesque city of Irkutsk in southeastern Siberia. Founded in 1918, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in eastern Russia, yet still a young university. Thanks to this combination of old and new, a mix that is visible in the town as well as in the university, Irkutsk State University is known as much for its established academic departments as for its innovations, including up-to-date computer technology. It is also able to boast a small student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1.

Students participate in a complete package of excursions designed to immerse them in the rich cultural heritage of Russia. Students are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities while studying in Irkutsk. Students have enjoyed skiing on the University slopes, taking Russian dance classes, learning to cook traditional Russian meals, and working out at local gyms.