Russian Agriculture

  Russia

• St. Petersburg: 
St. Petersburg
• Moscow: 
Moscow (Moskva)

Term: Spring 
Dates: Spring 2010

Description: Geographically, Russia is the largest country in the world with the fifth largest population yet almost 50 percent of the food in Russia is imported. This has led the USDA's Foreign Ag Service to classify Russia as an emerging market- a country with the developing potential for U.S. agricultural products. This Study Abroad Course exposes you to the potential for future agricultural trade through visits to Russian farms, agribusinesses, and agricultural academies.

To understand Russia's economy and trading needs, their culture must also be understood. Pre-departure lectures and discussions provide introductory background and cultural information while visits to significant historical and cultural sites in Moscow and St. Petersburg emphasize these components. You will also have the opportunity to interact with students from Russian institutions of higher education.

Highlights: On-campus class sessions scheduled for January 24 and 31, February 7, 14, 21, and 28, and March 7 and 28, 2010. Alternate arrangements may be available for those at a distance from the WIU Macomb campus. Travel dates are March 10-21, 2010.

The first four days will be spent in Moscow visiting famous sites such as Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Izmailovo flea market. Additionally, you will interact with fellow students at the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy and the Agro-Engineering Institute. By bus, you'll travel to Ryazan where you will stay at the Ryazan Agricultural Academy. Site visits in the Ryazan region tentatively include a brewery, bakery, dairy farm, grain elevator, and more. You will then return to Moscow before departing to St. Petersburg via overnight train. There you will visit the Hermitage, the Fortress of Peter and Paul, the Baltika Brewery, and other sites. The group will return to the US from St. Petersburg.

Students will receive three semester hours of either upper-division undergraduate or graduate credit upon successful completion of the class. No previous Russian language proficiency necessary.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: USD 2,450 based on 15 participants

NOT INCLUDED: WIU tuition, WIU student health insurance, passport, lunches and dinners other than at Ryazan (approximately USD 275), transportation to/from Chicago, and personal expenses.

Experience Required: yes

Students must be admitted to WIU (visiting student status) and have completed at least 45 semester hours by the end of the Fall 2010 semester.

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Russia in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application