Russia

	Quick Facts
	Language Russian. Previous language study is not required.
	Host Family Placement Usually in the Moscow and Krasnador regions, but can be throughout the country.
	School Begins in September and ends in May with four quarters.
	Trips Optional educational trips may be available for an additional fee.
	Pastimes Sports, travel, music, folk crafts, spending time with friends and family, and theatre.

Living with a Russian host family is an ideal way of learning about the people, language, and culture of this influential country. Embark on a journey through Russia’s history, tradition, and national culture.

Like so much else, family life in Russia is in transition. Young people had already begun to express dissatisfaction with communism before its fall and have since grown even more accustomed to more material goods and freedom than their parents. Whatever struggles modern Russian families face, Russian warmth and hospitality is well known.

Most Russian parents work outside the home, and, in fact, women account for a high percentage of the work force. Home for most Russians is an urban apartment. Some families may also have a dacha (summer cottage) in the countryside. If you live with a rural family, chances are you will live in a house, not a dacha.

Academic Programs

Your academic program in Russia will begin with an arrival orientation and after you will attend gymnazia or lycee and take advanced courses in math, history, literature, and language. Your YFU experience in Russia will be greatly enriched by the educational and cultural activities you’ll participate in, which includes a visit to Russian churches. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to participate in optional educational trips for an additional fee, such as a tour of Moscow and visit to the Armory Museum in the Kremlin and other museums. There will be arrival as well as a pre-departure orientation for all students. In addition, year students will have a mid-program orientation that will gather YFU students and alumni/ae from each region to share experiences.

Students are responsible for the costs of school books and materials and transportation to school. Students will have the opportunity to join a language group or find a private language tutor, for an additional nominal fee.

Gap Year Abroad
The traditional Academic Year and Semester programs are also available as Gap Year Abroad options. Learn more about other 13th Year Abroad Programs.

Summer Program

Discover Russia
From Orthodox Cathedrals to Fabergé eggs, explore the history of Great Russia. Spend your afternoons on special trips to museums and your evenings at the ballet or the opera. Take excursions with other students on weekends to historical and cultural sites of old Russia. Russians love their natural surroundings. A visit to a lake to go swimming or to a forest to go mushroom hunting are favorite summer activities.

You'll live with and enjoy getting to know your Russian host family. It all adds up to four weeks you'll never forget in a country that has drawn visitors from ancient times to modern day.

To be eligible for a 2009 YFU program to Russia students must have a birth date between March 1, 1991 and September 1, 1994.

Visas are required for both the summer and year programs. The cost of the registration fees and other immigration services in Russia is included in the tuition up to $600. However, if this price increases students and parents will be notified and required to cover the additional costs.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Programs	Code	Departure	Return	Tuition
Year Gap Year Abroad	0843 0843	late August late August	early July early July	$9995 $9995
Semester Gap semester Abroad	0182 0182	late August late August	Early January Early January	$9995 $9995
Summer Discover Russia	0164	late June	late July	$7995

Online Resources

To learn more about Russia, we recommend:

E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, Russian language dictionaries, and many more country resources
Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC web site
Russian National Tourist Office web site

"My favorite thing was the family experience."
- Laurie Fagergren

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: 09/10/2008