World Languages and Cultures
Russian Studies
Everything you need to know about the Russian Studies Program
Welcome to Russian Studies at CWU!
Our program offers classes on Russian language and Russian culture, arts, history, and society. We collaborate with other departments to bring students courses on Russian film, history, geography, and political science. Russian is not only the language of the largest country in the world, but is also spoken in 15 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia by over 160 million people. Russian is designated as a critical language by the U.S. Government, which means the demand for experts in Russian is greater than the current supply. Consider taking Russian Studies for careers in the government, foreign service, military, journalism, international NGOs and business, education, and tourism.
Not sure which course to register in?
If you do not know any Russian, start with RUSS 151: First-Year Russian I, offered every Fall. If you grew up exposed to Russian language, or took Russian in high school or another educational setting, take the Russian placement test.
Russian Resources at CWU
Russian Resource Center
Russian Resource Center is staffed with advanced language students from our program. The Resource Center is open several days a week and provides free tutoring, help with homework, conversation practice and much more! Now available virtually and in person. Check in with your instructor for more information.
Russian Club
Russian Club is a student-led organization that meets every week and organizes a variety of Russia-centric extra-curricular activities, and fun events on campus. In the past year Russian Club events included Russian tea cakes sales, movie screenings, food nights, guest lectures, field trips, meme contests and more!
Study Abroad Opportunities
Our students have many opportunities for study abroad in the former Soviet countries. You can choose to study Russian in Riga, Latvia, or Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Go for a year, a semester, a short summer session, or spring break!
Emily Kirpach, class of 2024, in Riga, Latvia.
Joshua Johnson, class of 2023, during summer study abroad in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
One of our most popular providers is School of Russian and Central Asian Studies (SRAS). SRAS offers many options for studying abroad, including intensive language and topical culture programs.
Study Abroad Scholarships from CWU are available. There are also external opportunities for scholarships: ProjectGo scholarships for ROTC cadets; Boren Awards; Critical Language Scholarship Program; Gilman International Scholarship. Find more information on study abroad at the Office of International Studies and Programs and Russian Program coordinator for more information.
Alumni Experience
Get to know an inspiring post-graduation journey for one of our Russian alumni, Andrew Macdonald, with Alumni Spotlight. Andrew is our department's featured Rising Star Alumnus. Andrew graduated in 2020 after spending a year in Vladivostok. In Vladivostok, Andrew got to do a very Russian activity - go to a sauna - a Russian banya - and then plunge into a frozen river!
Questions? What to declare a Major or Minor? Contact us!
For any questions related to the Russian Studies program, contact Russian Faculty Mentor and Program Coordinator, Volha Isakava: volha.isakava@cwu.edu
Connect on social media with Russian on Instagram
Madelyn Dunning, class of 2016, during her study abroad in Russia.
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