Skip Navigation skip menu and banner
University of Wyoming

Wyoming-Saratov Study Abroad Program


Program Description
Summer 2010

1). Place: Saratov, Russia. Located on the Volga River, approximately 450 miles southeast of Moscow.

2). Institution: Saratov State University. Situated in the center of the city, Saratov State University (Саратовский Государственный Университет им. Чернышевского) is one of the oldest universities in Russia.

3). Dates: June 13 (depart USA) - July 26, 2010* (depart Russia).  Click to see Summer 2008 Itinerary and Class Itinerary for a more specific idea of overall scheduling and organization (2010 Itineraries to be posted as soon as available).

4). Estimated Expenses:

 Basic Program: Study, Cultural Program & Roundtrip Airfare

1). Basic Program: $2010-$2200 (approx.)
(including tuition, room/board, cultural program, train travel:
Moscow-Saratov, Saratov-Moscow)
2). International Airfare (round-trip): $1100-$1500 (prices can fluctuate widely, and vary based on carrier)
*If you choose to do just the "Basic Program" your departure may be earlier than stated above -- probably July 21 or 22 from Moscow.

Please note: a service fee of 3%-5% will be assessed to the program fee(s) to cover bank costs of transferring funds to Saratov.

TOTAL: $3100-$3700

Add-On Excursions
1). 5-6 Day Volga River Trip: $390-$525
2). 6-Day Excursion to Moscow / St. Petersburg:  $600-$700 (approx. $110-$135/day)
(July 22 - 28, 2008: incl. sightseeing, museums, room/board)

Miscellaneous Expenses
Personal Spending Money: $200-$500

Pre-trip Expenses
1). Application fee: $100 (in-state); $300 (out-of-state)
2). Passport: $65-$75
3). Visa and Passport Photos: $25
4). Visa Processing, Mailing: $250-$325 (approx.)

A Short History

The Summer 2010 Wyoming-Saratov Study Abroad Program marks the 18th consecutive year that students from the University of Wyoming (and from cooperating institutions, including University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Missouri, Western Michigan University, University of Michigan, East Carolina University, and Colorado State University) will have traveled to Saratov for Russian language study. The first group arrived in June '93, only a few months after the city had been opened to foreign visitors. Over the course of fifteen years, contacts between UW and SSU have grown and expanded in many exciting ways. Students of widely diverse backgrounds, majors, ages and geographical distribution in the United States have taken and continue to take part in this wide-ranging Initiative.

Lodging

In Saratov, students stay in apartments with Russian host families. All families are located conveniently and sufficiently near the University so that students may either walk or take a short ride on public transport to get to classes. Upon arrival in Saratov, students are met at the Saratov train station by University and family representatives. After an orientation meeting students are immediately settled in their Russian families. Lodging includes 2 meals per day with the student's Russian host family.

Courses/Placement

Students are placed in Intensive Russian Language courses according to proficiency. Placement exams are given during the first meeting day at the university. (Note: placement at particular proficiency levels is dependent on having sufficient numbers of applicants at each given level in each particular year. Usually a minimum of 3-4 students is necessary to support one teacher at each level.) Classes normally meet Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Fridays often include visits to sites in Saratov, including the Troitskii Cathedral, Dukhososhestvenkskii Cathedral, Relieve My Sorrows church, stores, monuments, post office, libraries, parks, conservatory, etc...

Credit Hours

Credit hours, and procedures for transfer to your home transcript, will vary according to your home institution. The University of Wyoming has working agreements with a number of partner institutions to facilitate easy transfer of credits. Check with your home institution's Office of Registration and Records (and with your Foreign Language department) to determine how your summer hours can be added to your transcript. As part of the Basic Program Cost, all students are offered 90 hours of in-class instruction. In relation to the semester system at the University of Wyoming, these 90 hours translate into 6 hours of semester credit.  (Note: acceptance into the Wyoming-Saratov Study Abroad Program does NOT imply admission to the University of Wyoming.  If you wish to formally enroll at the University of Wyoming (in order to have your summer credits applied to a UW transcript) you must first apply for admission to UW:  http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/ADMISSIONS/)

Cultural Program/Activities

Evening activities may include university-sponsored cultural events or visits to the historic "Nemetskaia" street with Russian friends, "brothers", or "sisters", or walks along Saratov's beautiful Volga embankment, or visits to city parks. Be sure to check out the circus just across the square from the covered market. Weekends may include trips to a family dacha (cottage) for some gardening, sunbathing, and relaxation.

A cultural program of attendance at Saratov's Theater of Opera and Ballet, Radishchev Art Museum, Saratov Regional Museum, and other interesting city sites are also included in the Program cost. An excursion to the landing spot of cosmonaut Yurii Gagarin can also be arranged.

The Summer 2009 group took part in a 6-day riverboat excursion from Saratov (leaving from the city riverboat terminal) to Kazan and back to Saratov by steamship (price listed above under "Add-on Excursions.") The quoted price is for a two-bed cabin with double occupancy. This fare included three meals per day, and either bus, or guided walking tours of the cities and sites along the Volga.  A similar ship-trip (depending on cost) is anticipated for Summer 2010.

An excursion to St. Petersburg at the end of the Saratov stay can also be arranged through the faculty at SSU. The Petersburg excursion includes trips to Petergof (with all its fabulous fountains), Tsarskoe Selo and surrounding area, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, The Hermitage and Revolution Square, The Bronze Horseman, Smol'nyi Cathedral, The Russian Museum, Spas na krovi, Nevskii Prospekt, as well as a riverboat ride on the Neva River and canals.

Generally, sites in Moscow are visited after arrival at Sheremetievo airport, and then again while traveling north to St. Petersburg by train from Saratov. This has allowed sufficient time to visit Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin, Historical Museum, GUM (The State Universal Department Store), Novodevichii Monastery, Poklonnaia Hill (a monument to W.W.II), the Tretiakov Gallery, and the historic Arbat. Be prepared to do some walking between metro stops! If desired, additional overnight(s) can be arranged in Moscow for more extensive touring.

Application Deadline: December 5, 2009

Application Materials

Wyoming-Saratov Initiative. Tour of Saratov. Study Abroad.

Joseph Krafczik
Coordinator, Wyoming-Saratov Study Abroad Program
401 Hoyt Hall; Dept. 3603
University of Wyoming; Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-6724; (307) 766-3677
saratov@uwyo.edu

Semester/Year Abroad Programs

Semester and academic-year exchanges are arranged through the UW Russian faculty and International Programs in consultation with the appropriate department(s) or faculty of Saratov University. It is recommended that students planning to spend a semester or year in Saratov take part in a summer exchange prior to their extended stay. If this is not possible, previous experience in some other study-abroad program in Russia would be highly advisable.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2010

For information on the semester or year exchanges, contact:

Joseph Krafczik
Coordinator, Wyoming-Saratov Study Abroad Program
401 Hoyt Hall; Dept. 3603
University of Wyoming; Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-6724; (307) 766-3677
saratov@uwyo.edu



Saratov Conservatory