World Languages and Cultures
Russian Studies
Everything you need to know about the Russian Studies Program at CWU
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 on Zoom. Contact a Russian Advisor for more information. Current RRC Flyer
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! To join your Russian peer community on campus contact a Russian Club Advisor
Virtual Exchange with Russian Universities
In our language and culture classes you have a chance to participate in Virtual Exchange with Russian students from European University in Saint Petersburg. Connect with Russian peers to practice Russian, help them practice English, learn more about Russian culture and make new friends across the globe!
Study Abroad Opportunities
Our students have many opportunities for study abroad in Russia and former Soviet countries. You can choose to go to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Irkutsk, or Vladivostok in Russia proper. Or study Russian (and Ukrainian!) in Kyiv, Ukraine; Narva, Estonia (part of the E.U.); or Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Go for a year, a semester, a short summer session, or spring break!
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 museum and art history in the fabled Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg; find out more about post-Soviet conflict in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine (including visiting Chernobyl nuclear disaster site); learn about sustainability and enviromental history of Russia in Irkutsk, next door to the amazing lake Baikal!
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 contact Russian Advisor for more information.
Alumni Experience
"Studying Russian at CWU was a great experience, both academically and personally. Without a doubt, one of the best parts of my college experience was studying abroad in Moscow, Russia in Fall 2015, where I had the opportunity to put what I’d learned at CWU into practice."
-Madelyn Dunning, '16 graduated from Central Washington University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Russian.
-Karl Vasily Watson, class of 2018, is an AFROTC cadet. He received a full scholarship from ProjectGO to study advanced Russian in Narva, Estonia. He used his Russian language skills to work in a museum that used to be a real medieval castle.
Questions? What to declare a Major or Minor? Contact us!
For any questions related to the Russian Studies program, contact Russian Faculty Advisor and Program Coordinator, Volha Isakava: volha.isakava@cwu.edu
Connect with us on Russian Studies Facebook Group
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