Semester-long Academic Programs
Russian and REES majors and minors are strongly encouraged to spend one or two semesters studying abroad in Russia. Most of our students enroll in Pomona-approved programs run by ACTR (American Council of Teachers of Russia), which oversees programs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the historical city of Vladimir (located about 3 hours east of Moscow). Occasionally, students petition to attend other programs that cater to their needs and interests.
Students enrolled in ACTR programs in Russia take intensive Russian language courses in small groups from highly qualified professionals. The Russian language programs for foreign students are housed within Russian universities, and advanced students may audit or take for credit regular Russian university courses. ACTR also helps well-organized and motivated students arrange internships in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
In addition to classes, ACTR organizes cultural excursions throughout the host city, as well as one longer trip through other parts of Russia. (In past years, students have taken cruises along the Volga River and traveled to Sochi, home of the 2014 Winter Olympics.) Of course, our students also do plenty of navigating on their own. They regularly report a sense of exhilaration at exploring the culturally rich metropolises of St. Petersburg and Moscow as well as the Russian countryside. (See the student-produced Russkii Vestnik for some of our students' impressions of Russia.)
For more information on the Pomona-approved Russian programs and the application process, visit Pomona's Office of International & Domestic Programs. (Students from the other Claremont Colleges should consult both with their college's study-abroad office and with the Pomona Russian program coordinator.)
Summer Study and Short-term Programs
To complement their semester abroad, we encourage students also to apply for summer funding opportunities to study Russian or conduct thesis research.
- Middlebury Language Schools: The Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian language programs
- The Critical Language Scholarship Program
- American Councils Study Abroad Programs
- Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute: The Melikian Center - Russian, Eurasian & East European Studies
Independent Thesis Research
Pomona-internal funding opportunities for senior thesis research include the Oldenborg Research and Travel Grant and the Student Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). The Russian Program also solicits applications each spring for the Ulitin Travel Grant, which provides up to $2000 to subsidize a Russian or REES major's language study or research project in Russia.
Students interested in applying for summer research funding should consult with Russian faculty about their projects no later than the fall semester of their junior year.