St. Petersburg Program
BARD-SMOLNY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Please note: Only students registered in the undergraduate College of the University of Chicago may apply to this program through Chicago.

 General Description:
      


A Canal View in St. Petersburg
The University of Chicago's program at Smolny College in St. Petersburg, Russia provides Chicago students with an opportunity to take both language and disciplinary courses in one of Russia’s culturally richest cities, the historic nexus of cultural encounters between Russia and the West. This program grows out of the University of Chicago's affiliation with Bard College, which has joined with St. Petersburg State University to create Smolny College as the first liberal arts college in Russia. Because most of the students at Smolny are Russian, earning a joint BA from Bard and St. Petersburg State University, students will be in a unique Russian liberal arts environment.

Students may participate in this program for the full academic year or for either of its two semesters. Each semester begins with an intensive two-week course in Russian as a Second Language (RSL) and continues with courses in various subjects (as well as continuing Russian language). The subject-oriented courses--in History, Literature, Music, Philosophy and so forth--are open to both Russian and American students, and some will be taught in Russian. The RSL courses are staffed by faculty who have extensive experience teaching American students and are familiar with American teaching methods. Smolny College also offers a summer-term intensive language course in which students are encouraged to participate in as preparation for the coming academic year.

Housing:
Participants in the St. Petersburg Program have a choice between living with a host family or in a residence hall. While the latter may offer more independence, residence with a local family provides students with a valuable opportunity to observe Russian domestic life as well as to practice Russian in a comfortable, supportive setting.  Remember also that the success of a homestay depends partially upon the student's own flexibility and open, accepting attitude. For more information on housing, click on Living in St. Petersburg.

Special note: The homestay option in this program includes most meals (daily breakfast and dinner). The residence hall option does not include meals. For this reason, students who choose the homestay option will be assessed a higher program fee.


Mariinksy Theater

     

Credits:
Participants in this program receive full credit for their work at Smolny College, with course titles, units of credit and grades appearing on the student's Univeristy of Chicago transcript. Normally, if a student plans to study for the full academic year they would receive ten to twelve credits (maximum of twelve).

If planning on studying for a semester, a student would receive five or six credits (maximum of six). (This variation in credit yield stems from the choice of courses that a student makes.) Participants will be expected to take at least one RLS course during their time at Smolny. Since the application of these credits toward specific requirements is variable, it is expected to consult with the student's academic advisor and program chair to determine the exact distribution of credits.

Registration and Tuition:
Students remain registered at the University of Chicago during the term or terms of their participation in this program. If a student participates for the full academic year, they will pay regular Chicago tuition (undergraduate rate). If a student participates for one semester, they will pay one-half of Chicago's annual tuition. In addition, both academic-year and semester students pay the non-refundable study abroad administrative fee required of all participants in Chicago's overseas programs as well as paying directly to Bard College, a program fee that covers housing (and, for homestay students, board). In 2007-2008 the study abroad administrative fee was $500; the Bard program fee ranged from $644 (residence hall) to $3,128 (for the homestay with meals) per semester.

Financial Aid:
Students retain their financial aid eligibility while abroad. However, two expenses--the study abroad administrative fee and round-trip air fare--are not underwritten by College financial aid. In addition to the need-based aid offered by Chicago, students are eligible (and encouraged) to apply for scholarship assistance from Bard.

    



Eligibility and Application:
The Bard College study abroad program at Smolny College is designed for students who are beyond their second year in the College. For most students the third year is the most appropriate time to participate in this program, though fourth-year students may participate as well. Students are expected to have, by the beginning of the program, two full years of university-level Russian. Apart from this specific language requirement, students must also present an academic record that evinces the sort of scholarly seriousness and resourcefulness demanded by this program. Applications are available on-line and are normally due in early March for the academic year and the fall semester, early October for the spring semester. A student accepting an offer of admission is expected to secure his or her place with a non-refundable study abroad administrative fee.

      


Fountains in the garden of Petrodvorest Palace
Further Information:
Students wishing to discuss this program and the possibility of participating in it are invited to contact Lewis Fortner (Harper 213; 702-4858).

Statements contained in this document are subject to change without notice.