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Study Abroad Program Review of AIFS: St. Petersburg - St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University

Submitted by hnb1 (English,Rice University) on June 29th, 2009

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Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Participation Year:

2009

Term:

Spring

If you enrolled at multiple foreign universities, please list them here:

St. Petersburg Polytechnical State University

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

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Course Title:

Russian Language Intermediate II

Instructor:

Nina Mikhailovna Yankevich

Language of Instruction:

Russian

Please comment on the course:

This class and professor were of really high quality. My professor was incredible. Very thoughtful, demanding but encouraging, and absolutely hilarious. My favorite teacher at any institution EVER. This class was a breath of fresh air in an academic program that is otherwise frustratingly not challenging.

Please rate the course overall:

Language Overall

**Language acquisition improvement?

**Comment:

It is important to be prepared for the fact that very few people speak English well in Russia. In day to day activities, like going to the grocery store, a restaurant, or mall, speaking Russian, even if its at a very basic level (with lots of hand signals) is essential. Don't be intimidated by what at first appears to be unfriendly non-English speakers.

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

**Please explain the program's strengths and weaknesses:

Although the administrators were knowledgeable, they were not very accessible at all. They did the minimum required of their job, seemed disinterested in the welfare of their students, and served more as scolding parents (be there exactly on time, dont do this, this or this, etc) than anything. As soon (if not sooner) as 400 rolled around, they were out of the office.

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Dorm

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

Lived at IMOP in the academicheskaya area. It's an old place, facilities and amenities are in need of repair, but its quaint, and after a while you learn to love it in a twisted sort of way. The security is a bit overdone and seems like it interferes with student social life more than actually providing protection. Guards were often obviously drunk during after hours, which can be either funny or disconcerting, depending on how you look at it.

Neighborhood is relatively safe by Russian standards, although a fellow program participant was mugged and beat up by four hoodlums just a few blocks from our dorm. The area was pretty boring, there's some shopping, a McDonalds, a couple of expensive beer houses, and a 24/7 casino that i am positive is rigged (avoid black jack!) Its far from downtown (its like the brooklyn of st. petersburg)

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

Good, quality food is expensive or not readily available in Russia (esp. produce). For my vegetarian friends, it was something of a nightmare. Was told to avoid street food (esp. meat) for health reasons, but I never had a problem, it was much more affordable compared to restaurants, and very tasty.

Safety and Health Overall

**How well were health issues addressed through your program?

**Safety:

**Comment:

Safety is always an issue in a big city, so just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine. As far as health--given the weather and poor food quality you will inevitably get sick...just dont end up in the hospital. It was a nightmare for me, although my program was pretty good about assisting me and the facilities were nice since its a private clinic (not a state hospital). It was very expensive though.

Money Overall

**How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

General Assessment Overall

**Overall satisfaction with your study abroad experience:

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Study Abroad Program Review of AIFS: St. Petersburg - St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University

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