What can I do on my year abroad?
Going to Russia
During your time in Russia, you can choose from programmes in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other smaller cities. You can stay in the same city for the entire year, or spend a semester each in different cities. You can study and, if you would like, arrange work as an English teacher.
You are also welcome to arrange work placements. These are not always easy to organise but give you a real chance to use your Russian in a professional environment. As an example, one of our students recently arranged an internship on the Saint-Petersburg Times, an English-language newspaper, where he worked with the paper’s editing and proof-reading team.
Our year abroad scheme is organised through the Russian Language Undergraduate Studies Consortium (RLUS). For information on our approved courses, see the RLUS website.
Accommodation
Students stay with a khozyaika - hostess - and their family. This lets you experience the real Russia; meeting real Russian people and speaking the language every day. Many students make lifelong bonds with their host family and say they have their khozyaika to thank for their vastly improved Russian.
FAQ: Is there any reason to worry about going to Russia?
As you will be away from home for so long, it is natural to want to confirm that Russia is a safe place to study.
Moscow and St. Petersburg are major metropolises, and it is worth remembering that these kind of areas tend to see more petty crime than somewhere like Sheffield, which is Britain's safest big city. As a foreigner you may feel like a more likely target, but if you exercise the same care there as you would in somewhere like London you are unlikely to experience difficulties.
Along with the RLUS consortium, which organises our year abroad programmes, we provide orientation for you before you leave. We monitor political events in Russia closely, and will not send you into uncertain situations. RLUS have an on-site resident director in Russia to whom you can address your concerns.
Going to PolandStudents studying Polish spend a semester on an intensive Polish course at the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland. The program will improve your language skills while teaching you about Polish culture, history and society. You can find some general information about the course here. Please note that we cover the tuition fees. |
Going to the Czech RepublicDuring the semester in the Czech Republic, you can attend one of our partner universities, either Charles University in Prague or Masaryk University in Brno. You will take Czech language, literature and culture courses tailored specifically for foreign students, as well as other modules alongside Czech students. |
Summer scholarships in Poland or the Czech Republic
If you are studying Polish or Czech as the 'minor' component in a BA Modern Languages, you have the option of studying at a language school in Poland or the Czech Republic over the summer between your second year and year abroad.
These scholarships are a fully funded opportunity to improve your language skills and see a new country. The course will involve a three- or four-week language course with students from across Europe, along with activities such as cultural visits and beer tasting.