Opportunities

Russian Studies students study abroad in Daugavpils, Latvia, land exciting internships on the Washington Semester Program, and produce original research. Co-curricular events aim to bring your interest in Russia to life.

Events

The Russian program hosts a full calendar of co- and extracurricular events. These events include films, live performances, panels and lectures, and sponsored trips to museums, theaters, restaurants and cultural sites.

Internships

There are many resources for students who are interested in Russian-related jobs, internships and volunteer positions.

Washington Semester Program

The Washington Semester Program is a highly competitive, semester-long program offered in Washington, D.C., through 17勛圖厙. The program welcomes students from all disciplines to connect their academic learning with direct, professional experience in their major fields, providing them with dynamic opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth and development. Through the Washington Semester Program students have the opportunity to work with national leaders, engage in independent research, and live in the stimulating environment of Washington, D.C.

Russian Studies students with an interest in government, law, and business regularly participate in the Washington Semester Program.

Recent internships earned by our students include the following:

  • Office of Russian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Office of Policy and Regional Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Arms Control Association

Learn more about the Washington Semester Program.

Other internships

These sites are good places to begin a search:

  • in nearby Clinton offers an internship program for college students.
  • American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages

Russian faculty forward job and internship information to students enrolled in Russian classes. If you are not enrolled in a Russian course and would like to receive job information, please contact ProfessorsAmy Singleton Adams泭硃紳餃泭Olga S. Partan.

Museum of Russian Icons

Russian icons are sacred, "living" texts that serve as a window between heaven and earth and a gateway between the Orthodox believer and God. The icon is a world of signs, each filled with spiritual significance. Nothing about an icon the paints and materials used, colors, the position and size of characters is casual. The stature of icon masters is close to that of monks; icons are traditionally painted at large monastery centers called "lavras." Russian icons are blessed and approved by the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Museum of Russian Icons, in nearby Clinton, Massachusetts, holds one of the worlds largest collections of Russian icons. In the spring, the Russian Program sponsors a trip to the museum. The museum also offers a student internship program.

.

National Slavic Honor Society

Dobro Slovo, the national Slavic Honor Society, was founded in 1926 to recognize the academic excellence of students studying Slavic languages and literatures and to foster scholarly interest in Slavic life and culture. There are now over 130 local chapters and over 6,200 members. Qualified students receive this national academic award each spring during the Academic Conference.

Research

For students interested in research, the Russian Studies faculty works with select students through the College Honors Program, the Weiss Summer Research Program, and other programs (like the Washington Semester Program and GSWS) that require capstones and theses.

Some recent student research topics include:

  • Notes from the Underground: The Moscow Metro System and Its Hidden Figures
  • Kandinskys Early Paintings and the Influence of Russian Folk Art and Religion
  • Gift from God: Icons as Measure of Russian Nationalism
  • Bezumie: The Representation of Madness in Russian Literature
  • Marxist Ideology and Feminism: Tensions Between Theory and Practice in Revolutionary Russia
  • An Oral History of the Stalin Era: Interviews with Worcesters Russian-Speaking Community

Russian Club

studnets sitting at a table with food

The 17勛圖厙 Russian Club is one of the most enthusiastic student organizations on campus. Students work closely with Russian faculty members to plan, organize, and run the Russian Film series, trips to restaurants and Russian cultural events, and student performances, and celebrations. Membership is open to all students and everyone is welcome at our events.

Study Abroad

image of the university of Daugavpils, Latvia

Daugavpils, Latvia

Studying abroad can be a transformative learning and personal experience. Our program in Daugavpils, Latvia is designed specifically for 17勛圖厙 students and is based in the Russian Speaking town of Daugavpils, Latvia. Students have a range of options, including a six-week summer program, a semester program and an academic year program. Language levels range from elementary to advanced.

Learn more about study abroad.