Vladivostok, a port city with a population of nearly 700,000, is located on the Sea of Japan. Founded in 1868 because of its proximity to valuable marine resources, Vladivostok continues to rely on the sea for much of its economic base.
Students will study at Far Eastern State University (FESU), the largest university in the Russian Far East, at the Russian School, a division of FESU. Part of the formal language and cultural experience of the program is the daily afternoon instructional excursions to various businesses and agencies in and around Vladivostok. These excursions around the Vladivostok area provide students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning to everyday experiences. The Resident Director for Summer 2008 is Patricia Polansky.
All students will enroll in first-, second-, third-, or fourth-year Russian language, earning six credits total. Students will receive four hours of language instruction per day for six weeks. As part of the curriculum, students will be expected to watch Russian television, listen to radio broadcasts, and read local newspapers. Assignments will be based upon the Russian media, excursions, lectures and experiences gleaned from all aspects of Russian daily life
Students are housed in an FESU dormitory, where two students share a room and an adjoining bathroom. Each room is equipped with two beds, linens, two desks, iron, color TV, refrigerator, electric stove and cooking utensils. Students will either eat at the FESU cafeteria or shop and prepare their own meals.
Program Dates for 2008:
Departure from Honolulu: Saturday May 24
Arrival in Vladivostok: Monday May 26
Orientation: Tuesday May 27
First Day of Class: Wednesday May 28
Last Day of Class/Program: Friday July 4
Departure from Vladivostok: Saturday July 5
Estimated Cost: $2,868
Cost includes, study abroad fee, study abroad insurance, visa processing, Far Eastern National University enrollment fee, tuition, single room and deposit, all meals, Russian health insurance, library and police registration deposits, and overnight hotel stay in Seoul. Round-trip airfare is not included. There is a limited amount of scholarship money available on a competitive basis.
Financial Aid:
UHM Students: in order to receive financial aid for summer study abroad programs, please ensure that either: a) you are receiving financial aid during the spring semester, or b) that you complete the Financial Aid application during the spring semester. See www.hawaii.edu/fas for more information.
Non-UHM Students: Those attending other colleges and universities during the regular school year must apply for financial aid at their home institutions.
Applications:
A completed Study Abroad Center summer application, $20 application fee, and two letters of recommendation must be received by the Study Abroad Center by February 19 in order to receive consideration. Non-UHM students must also submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
Admissions Requirements:
The minimum requirement is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; however, students with a lower GPA may be considered in exceptional cases. Admission is selective. Immediately upon acceptance to the program, students are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500 to ensure a place in the program. The deposit is applied toward the total cost of the program. Note that UHM students accepted to the program are required to attend three mandatory pre-departure class sessions totaling 12 hours. Failure to attend will result in students being withdrawn from the program. Students who do not reside on O‘ahu will be contacted for a telephone orientation.
