St. Petersburg Program
Please note: Only students registered in the undergraduate College of the University of Chicago may apply to this program through Chicago.
General Description:
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 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, you will be in a unique Russian liberal arts environment.
You 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 you are encouraged to participate in as preparation for the coming academic year.
Credits:
As a participant in this program, you receive full credit for your work at Smolny College, with course titles, units of credit, and grades appearing on your Chicago transcript. Normally, if you plan to study for the full academic year would receive ten to twelve credits (maximum of twelve). If planning on studying for a semester, you would receive five or six credits (maximum of six). (This variation in credit yield stems from the choice of courses that you make.) You will be expected to take at least one RLS course during your time at Smolny. Since the application of these credits toward specific requirements is variable, you are expected to consult with your academic advisor and program chair to determine the exact distribution of credits.
Registration and Tuition:
You remain registered at the University of Chicago during the term or terms of your participation in this program. If you participate for the full academic year, you will pay regular Chicago tuition (undergraduate rate). If you participate for one semester, you 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:
You will retain your financial aid eligibility. However two expenses, the study abroad administrative fee and the round-trip air fare, are not underwritten by College Financial Aid. In addition to the need-based aid offered by Chicago, you 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. You are expected to have, by the beginning of the program, two full years of university-level Russian. Apart from this specific language requirement, you 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. If you accept an offer of admission, you will be expected to secure your place with the non-refundable study abroad administrative fee. (To begin the application process, click on the Study Abroad General Application.)
Further Information:
Students wishing to discuss this program and the possibility of participating in it are invited to contact Lewis Fortner (Harper 213; 773-702-4858; fortner@uchicago.edu).
Statements contained in this document are subject to change without notice.
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