Middlebury School in Russia: Irkutsk

Linguistic development and cultural understanding are at the core of the Middlebury Schools Abroad, and students have many opportunities for immersion, from coursework entirely in Russian to housing with local families; from internships and volunteer work to activities among the student body of Irkutsk State University. Students who have completed four semesters of Russian language training are invited to participate in the program under the Middlebury Language Pledge.

Our goal is to provide an enriching academic experience and to give students the best chance of actively engaging in their new environment. Given its location in Eastern Siberia, Irkutsk has been greatly influenced by nearby China and Mongolia. Known as the Pearl of Siberia, Irkutsk is a cultural center with spectacular natural attributes whose winters are among the sunniest of any major city in Russia. The life and history of the city are closely tied to Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake. It is full of quirky cafes, ethnic restaurants, classical theaters, and plentiful social and cultural outlets.

Students take a combination of the following types of courses:
1. Credit-bearing internships
2. Direct enrollment alongside Russian students at Irkutsk State University
3. Middlebury-organized core courses in Russian civilization, culture and language plus one spetskurs