Mathematics Study Abroad in Moscow Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were very small and every proffessor that I had was more than willing/eager to work with you 1-on-1, or gear the class towards who was in it.

On-site administration of your program

They withheld important housing information from us, which was not ok and came out during an Emergency, causing two students to go home early. The also tried to hold our hands on a lot of things including on trips and sight seeing (and a personal assistant for getting us to and from the airport and shopping etc), which I felt hampered the overall experience. They were however very accessible. My expectations with the administration in the end though was highly let down, considering the experiences that the students went through and the subsequent reactions.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living in personal person room with shared bathroom facilities with 1 other person in the Moscow State University Dorm. There were international as well as Russian students on the same floor and building. <br /><br /> Living in personal person room with shared bathroom facilities with 1 other person in the Moscow State University Dorm. There were international as well as Russian students on the same floor and building. <br /><br /> It was great until the building kind of burnt down (fire on the 13th floor, we were on the 16th floor). The fire alarms failed to work and two Russian students died. And it turned out that our housing was only semi-legal, so we were moved into more legal housing, which had adequate accommodations but wasn't all that impressive. The dorms were kind of far away from classes (15 minute walk, 15 minute train ride, 15 minute walk), which wasn't so pleasant in the snow.

The dorm food was very cheap and decent at IUM. We ate from the market across the way which also had pretty decent food. There was no lettuce, anywhere, or as much veggies as I was used to, that was unfortunate. But it could have been worse. We ate a lot of meat.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Cool people, cool Russians, cool city. They like to drink and party a lot, and they're very friendly. St. Petersburg was beautiful and especially fun with some local friends that people in the program had. She took us out and we had a great time. Most events the program arranged were fun but almost too guided/toured. I took a personal trip with some of my RUssian friends down to the Ukraine, which was AWESOME. The trains are a lot of fun, I'd highly reccomend that.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Not a safe place, we were in a fire and the alarms didn't go off (not the programs fault though, and I've heard they personally test and put working ones in their students rooms). Russia's in general not that safe.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I wasn't there for the language, I was there for the experience and the math. The courses were in English.

Select all that apply

• Dorm

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• Americans