Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Russia behind the curtain Past Review

By (St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 06/24/2013 to 07/12/2013 with

SRAS: Moscow - Politics and International Relations at MGIMO

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about Russian society and culture. It was completely worthwhile, and fascinating for me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The material was intended to be a general introduction, at a beginner level.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms looked to be Soviet Era dormitories, that were furnished minimally.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Integration aside from other MGIMO students is entirely up to the student.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Moscow can be a dangerous city, if the traveler is careless. That being said, smart travelers should have nothing to worry about.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

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

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

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 50-100 depending on how often I ate out.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you have a kitchen and fridge available to you, then be sure to take advantage of the local supermarket.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? IB higher level Spanish and Italian.
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Go out and talk to locals.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The opportunities it offered.
* What could be improved?
  • The program's communication with students.
  • The rigor of the coursework.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? What to expect about living in the dormitories.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.