 Why should you take courses in Russian, East European and Central Asian studies? Would you like to know more about the largest country in the world? Did you ever wonder about President Vladimir Putin and why the Russian people support him? What is happening in the countries of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia? How have the Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan developed since the end of the Soviet Union? What can we learn from the rich histories and cultures of these countries? Our program can help you discover the answers to these questions and so much more. I spent the last summer in St. Petersburg, Russia. My experiences as an international studies major and Russian, East European and Central Asian studies minor helped me experience the culture and history of the city in a way that would have not been possible with the academic component. From speaking with real Russians about their country and what they think of America to exploring the nightlife and food, it was a life changing moment for me. I learned so much and I want to keep learning about Russia and sharing it with my friends.