RUSSIA FIELD TRIPS
KEI organizes cultural field trips and activities in Moscow, an overnight field trip to Kazan or Vladimir and Suzdal, and an extended excursion to St. Petersburg. Transportation, lodging and admission for planed activities are included in the program fee. KEI reserves the right to change planned excursions for destinations of equal value and interest. Excursions may change based on availability, local festivals and interest. Academic year and multiple term students participate on planned excursions during their first term of study.
Moscow
This city is the political, economic and cultural capital of Russia with close to 900 years of history, art and architecture. Among its most famous sites are the Kremlin, Red Square, Kutafya Tower, Archangel Cathedral, Annunciation Cathedral, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Tomb, GUM, Tverskaya Ulitsa, The Arbat and Tretayakov Gallery. In addition to visiting architecturally, historically and politically significant sites, KEI plans cultural activities such as the Russian Ballet, Russian Circus and/or roundtable discussions with American diplomats and business people.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is the northern capital of Russia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Unique sites include the Palace Square, The Hermitage, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter & Paul Fortress, Nevsky Prospekt and Petrodvorets.
Vladimir/Suzdal or Kazan
Vladimir is the former political, economic and religious capital of Russia, The city dates back to 995. Vladimir is famous for its unique white stone cathedrals, towers and palaces. Unlike any other northern buildings, their exteriors are elaborately carved with the high relief stone sculptures.</i<vladimir<>
Suzdal is one of the oldest Russian cities and first mentioned in the annals in 1024. Despite its venerable age, the city has remained young and beautiful. Its fairy tale demeanor is reflected in the traditional Russian architecture, Kremlin and churches.
Kazan is a city in southwest Russia, on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. The capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a semi-autonomous region, it is known for the centuries-old Kazan Kremlin, a fortified citadel containing museums and sacred sites. Kremlin landmarks include the tiered Tower of Soyembika, the blue-and-gold domed Annunciation Cathedral and the vast, colorful Kul Sharif Mosque.
TESTIMONIALS
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Life is Moscow is phenomenal! This has been an amazing, amazing experience. What it comes down to is the undeniable existence of ‘Russianness.’ There are certain features that make this place, these people, this life unique to no end. It’s certainly not the West but it’s also not the East. Instead, it’s some crazy, unpredictable, well-intended, bundle of life still stuck behind in advancement but so much further in the entrancement of humanity and happiness.I have actually been blogging about my trip in Moscow since the day I left the states. In it are my personal thoughts, observations, and lots of photos. Take a look if you’re interested!
Moscow has been an amazing experience to say the least. There are certainly the share of ups and downs (like any living cycle), but I am so very happy I have had the chance to see, study, interact with, and relate to everything in Russia. Just the other weekend I was at the State Tretakov looking at pieces by Ivanov and Vereshchagin (one particularly striking painting of a pile of skulls in a desert), and was just in awe of all the art and history that I had missed out on until now. Two weeks ago I was in Kazan with the KEI group visiting the large collection of both Orthodox churches and mosques in the capital of Tartarstan. And just the other day, my friends Francesca from Switzerland and Luke from Boston were eating kartoshka from kiosks in the university square overlooking the city. I feel as alive as I did when I first moved to Chicago. If not more. There are a thousand (well, let’s say at least 55; one for every day) stories like these I would like to share with you and other students. Thank you and hope all is well with the KEI crew. Paka!
Why Study in Moscow?
My name’s Cody White and I have always dreamed of visiting Russia. Setting foot in the country, however, was not enough: I wanted to experience Russia in a different way. So, I decided to set out to Moscow and… touch Russia.
Things are going great in Russia! I am having the time of my life. The excursions have been enlightening. My Russian language course is kicking my butt! But I am learning so much, being challenged on my level. This has been a great experience.
Professor Bogdonov is essentially a human encyclopedia of Russian politics. I took notes on nearly every sentence he spoke. Who knew a 3-hour lecture could be so interesting?
The internship is killer. I am an investor relations intern at a new, but very respectable firm. We are doing work for RZD, the largest railroad company in Russia.
