Moscow (2013-16): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program

LEARN RUSSIAN in MOSCOW!

New Opportunity for University Students in Texas! Federally-Funded Summer Study of Intermediate and Advanced Russian Language in Moscow

Introducing the Moscow-Texas Connections Program

June 10– August 16, 2013 (10 weeks)

The Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (CREEES) in cooperation with the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies (DSES) at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is proud to announce a 10-week study abroad opportunity in Moscow, Russia. Made possible by a U.S. Department of Education grant, a group of 20 select Texas students will study at the prestigious Higher School of Economics in Moscow, one of the top institutions in Russia. In addition to intensive intermediate and advanced Russian language courses, the program offers content courses in English and Russian language in the areas of Russian history, economics, business, and law. This course of study will be accompanied by comprehensive career mentoring, as well as on-site networking and career mentorship opportunities, and a post-summer studying alumni network and job bank to promote professional development for participants. 

Costs:

There are only minimal costs to participants, including:

• A $200 participant fee (non-refundable)
• A valid passport that does not expire before January 1, 2014
• Health insurance coverage for the duration of travel, plus the cost of any required pre-departure check-ups, tests, and inoculations
• Spending money for personal purchases, telecommunications and Internet, etc.
• Independent travel, transportation, sightseeing or meals outside of group activities
• Transportation to/from Austin (plus accommodation, if necessary) for group departure to Moscow

Obligations:

All participants must partake in the following:

1. Pre- and post-travel Russian language examinations to assess level of competency and progress
2. Participation in a pre-travel webinar for program orientation
3. Participation in a post-travel webinar for program evaluation
4. Participation in career guidance activities in country and in the post-travel alumni network
5. Ten weeks of study in Moscow, Russia (June 10-August 16, 2013)

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible to participate in this program all participants must be:

• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States.    
• Classified as a full-time graduate student, or undergraduate "junior" or "senior" as of summer 2013 at ANY post-secondary institution in Texas. Students must still be in a program of study and not have graduated prior to the start date of the program. **NOTE: Students from universities OTHER than The University of Texas will get priority in the selection process and are strongly encouraged to apply!** 
• Students should have completed (or achieved) an intermediate or second-year equivalency in the Russian language by the start date of the program.

Application Process:

The deadline to apply is December 15, 2012 at 5:00pm. Required application materials include:

• A completed “Moscow-Texas Connections Application Form,” with basic contact information and program relevant information, submitted online only.

All of the following required application documents should be submitted in .pdf format in ONE email to aazulay@austin.utexas.edu with “Moscow-Texas Connections Application: YOUR FULL NAME” in the subject line. Include your full name in each file name.

• A Personal Statement (500 words or less) on how the “Moscow Texas-Connections” program, and proficiency in the Russian language specifically, will further the applicant’s educational or professional goals.
• A Letter of Reference from a professor assessing the applicant’s Russian language skills, explaining how the applicant might be a good fit for this program and use it to their professional advantage. (Letters should be signed, printed on official letterhead, and scanned into a pdf file format). Letters may be sent directly to us from the professor, but please have them follow the above subject line protocol and notify us as to who will be sending an email with the letter of recommendation attached (ie. name of person writing reference and their email address).
• A current Transcript from your academic institution. (Scanned copy, does not have to be official).

Project Co-Directors:

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The Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad program provides grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development, group research or study, or advanced intensive language programs.

For more information on the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program, please visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsgpa/index.html.