The SRAS Experience

• In Event: Highlighted Session: Russian Language Immersion Programs: Protesting the Conflict in Ukraine and the Response to Calls for Decolonization

Proposal

Study abroad providers work hand-in-hand with faculty in Russian/Slavic departments to provide immersive experiences aimed at gaining “fluency” in both the Russian language and the region in which Russian has historically served as a lingua franca. Prior to 2022, SRAS was already very active in Ukraine, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Central Europe and as such has been very much a part of the shift to non-Russia destinations. We experienced rapid growth of existing study sites (Bishkek) and the development of relatively new sites as we all sought to accommodate a post-COVID surge in which students of Russian had few options. SRAS students currently study Russian in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Latvia. They study Ukrainian in Warsaw.

As SRAS has settled into new locations, it has begun addressing the complexities surrounding the teaching of Russian language in countries where it is a second language where local attitudes in and language policy come into play. SRAS continues to develop strategies for blending the study of Russian language with study of the host country, to provide context and opportunities for critical and constructive thinking on topics related to decolonization and cross-cultural influences.

Author

• Renee Stillings, SRAS