Russian Federation: Moscow State University
Study in Moscow, Russia. Surround yourself with art and history. Imagine being in historic Red Square or visiting the Kremlin. The performing arts still resonate today from Tchaikovsky’s ballets and the many other famous Russian composers that called Moscow home. Enjoy the ornate domes and golden architecture of the Orthodox cathedrals that decorate the city. Study at Moscow State University to experience all that this city has to offer.
Open to UAlbany and SUNY students only
Application Deadline
Program Start
Program End
Program Details
Academic Program
You will be studying at Moscow State University. You have the option of focusing on either the Business & Politics track or the Russian Language & Area Studies track. The Russian Studies seminar is required of all students.
Course Descriptions and Syllabi
.You can take up to 19 credits in the semester. Russian language courses are recommended and taught intensively for a total of 9 credits. All other courses are 3 credits each. Elective courses are taught in English. If you have advanced language proficiency, you can also enroll in courses taught in Russian.
Russian Studies Seminar – This is a survey course of Russian society and culture. The course objective is to understand the development of the Russian culture over the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Russian Language and Culture courses include:
- Beginner Russian Language
- Elementary Russian Language
- Pre-Intermediate Russian Language
- Intermediate Russian Language
- Upper-Intermediate Russian Language
- Advanced Russian Language
- Russian Literature
- Russian History
Business, Law, and Diplomacy courses include:
- Political Economy
- Russian Business Pratice
- Russian Political System
- Media, Russia Politics, and Business
- Legal Structure in Russia.
Review KEI’s website for more information regarding course offerings.
General Education Information for UAlbany Students
Credits earned on this program will automatically satisfy the International Perspectives requirement. Three credits of foreign language study will satisfy the Foreign Language requirement. No additional approval is required for you to earn these general elective credits.
Major/Minor Information for UAlbany Students
Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, upon approval by the department.
Transcript
All courses taken abroad count towards UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript. You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary.
Housing
Housing is provided in one of the dorms at Moscow State University. You will be accommodated in one of the bedrooms in a two-bedroom suite, with a bathroom and shower. Kitchens are available on each floor, and cafeterias are available on the lower floors.
Meals
The campus and the surrounding area have several dining halls and restaurants. You will also find a large assortment of Russian and international restaurants throughout Moscow, including familiar franchises such as McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut. There are two markets near the west end of the campus.
Estimate of Costs
Russia Moscow State University Non-exchange 2019-20
More Information
Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.
Academic Requirements
This program is only open to SUNY students.
Students of all majors with at least 2.5 GPA with good academic standing are welcome to apply. Students with lower GPAs should consult with the Program adviser about whether or not to apply. Students who are not currently enrolled at a college or university or who already have a Bachelor’s degree may participate as non-matriculated visiting students. Prior knowledge of Russian is not required, but at least a year of college-level Russian background is strongly recommended.
Experiential Learning
Moscow is full of cultural and recreational activities – from world-class museums and theaters to energetic night clubs and Gorky (amusement) Park. In addition to KEI-organized cultural activities and field trips, students are encouraged to participate in campus clubs and events. The University offers many student-centered activities – Students Union, Young Researchers Council, Student Theater Workshop, Ballroom Dancing Club, Modern Dance Theater, Mountaineering Club, Baseball Club, Football (Soccer) Team and many more.
KEI organizes cultural field trips and activities in Moscow, Vladimir and Suzdal, and an extended excursion to St. Petersburg. Transportation, lodging and admission for planned activities are included in the program fee.
Funding Opportunities
Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.
About the City
Moscow is the heart of Russia; its center of commerce, religion, science, education and society. This important capital has influenced Western and Eastern politics and cultures for centuries. This city is the political, economic and cultural capital of Russia with close to 900 years of history, art and architecture. Among its most famous sites are the Kremlin, Red Square, Kutafya Tower, Archangel Cathedral, Annunciation Cathedral, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Tomb, GUM, Tverskaya Ulitsa, The Arbat and Tretayakov Gallery. In addition to visiting architecturally, historically and politically significant sites, KEI plans cultural activities such as the Russian Ballet, Russian Circus and/or roundtable discussions with American diplomats and business people.
The public transportation system consists of metro (subways), aftobus (buses), tramvay (trams) and trolleybus (trolleys). Mass transport is well developed, timely and convenient for travel within Moscow and one of the best systems in the world. Public transportation operates between the hours of 5:30 AM and 1:00 AM. Taxis are readily available any time of the day.
The Metro is one of Moscow’s greatest achievements. Built deep underground during the height of the Cold War, the subway was designed to also serve as an underground city in the event of a nuclear war with the USA. The central stations have vaulted ceilings, many with murals, decorations and chandeliers.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required to participate in this program. KEI will assist you in obtaining a VISA for this program. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.
Application Availability
Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:
- Spring programs: July
- Fall/Year programs: December
Program Dates
Fall 2020
9/8/2020 to 12/18/2020
Spring 2020
2/9/2020 to 5/28/2020
More details are available on the KEI website.
About the Program
The University at Albany partners with Knowledge Exchange Institute (KEI) to offer this Summer Intensive Russian Language and Culture Studies program at Moscow state University. The program enables students to take Russian language courses at all levels as well as a Russian Studies seminar with incorporated excursions in Russia that is taught in English. This study abroad option is intended for students who are interested in exploring Russian language and its culture.
Program Orientations
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted the Saturday before the end of Spring UAlbany classes and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival to the KEI program site, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university.
Support Services
UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
KEI’s staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.