About the Program

The Program in Russian and Eurasian Studies (RES) draws on a core faculty in the humanities, history, and social sciences to support and maintain a diverse undergraduate curriculum, a program for study abroad in Russia, an outstanding library collection in Slavic and other languages, as well as a range of on-campus and off-campus activities. It is an affiliate of the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies.

The program offers a Certificate of Proficiency to undergraduates who combine study of Russia and Eurasia with any other departmental major from the humanities and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs to the sciences and engineering. The certificate requires students to complete four courses in the cultures, societies, literatures, politics, economics, or histories of Russia or the countries of Eurasia. The language component of the certificate requires one of the following: three years of Russian, two years of Turkish, or two years of Polish (or their equivalents). Study abroad in Russia or Eurasia is encouraged and is generously subsidized by the program, the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, and Princeton University. On campus, the curriculum is complimented by innovative lecture series, workshops, conferences, and cultural events.

Student-led initiatives include an undergraduate Russian Club, which has organized field trips to Russian-related cultural events and has hosted Russian-language dinners, a singing group sponsored by the Slavic department, and a Russian film series.

In addition, the Program in Russian and Eurasian Studies awards its own fellowship each year to an incoming graduate student in any department. The RES fellowship covers the entire period of study -- either four or five years -- depending on the student's academic department.

The Program in Russian and Eurasian Studies was established in 1961, in large part through the efforts of the late Cyril E. Black, professor of history and former director of Princeton University's Center for International Studies. Michael Gordin, associate professor of history, has been acting director since fall 2008. He was preceded by Stephen Kotkin, Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, who became the program's director in 1995. Alumni of the Program in Russian and Eurasian Studies have gone on to prominent positions in government, diplomacy, international business, law, journalism, science, academics, and various aspects of public affairs.

Study Abroad
The Program in Russian and Eurasian Studies strongly encourages and supports study abroad as a way for students to gain language proficiency and actively experience the region's culture. Study abroad includes dedicated language study, internships, and research.

Students may choose to spend a semester or an entire academic year in Russia or a Eurasian country. The program maintains information and offers advice on a number of study abroad programs. For more information see the Courses page, or contact Program Manager Audrey Mainzer or the University's Office of International Programs.

Other opportunities for study abroad are sometimes available. For instance, the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies offered six-week intensive courses in Istanbul and St. Petersburg as part of the Global Seminars study abroad program in the summer of 2009. These seminars included study, language instruction, travel, and community service.  In Istanbul, there were internship opportunities available at the conclusion of the seminar.

Summer Internships
Certificate students are encouraged to consider an internship over the summer in Russia or a Eurasian country. Princeton students have had internships at Alfa Capital, ABC, CNN, and Newsweek in Moscow, the American embassies in Russia and Belarus, a Russian orphanage, and a major Russian oil company. Through the Princeton-in-Asia program (students have been placed with organizations located in successor states to the former USSR, such as Kazakhstan.  Internship listings can be found at the University' s Office of International Programs.

Internships and jobs in Russia and Eurasia may also be found on other Web sites.

Certificate Requirements
A student choosing to pursue a Certificate in Russian and Eurasian Studies must complete the normal requirements in his or her department as well as the following requirements of the program. The proposed course of study must be approved each term by the director. For more complete information on certificate requirements, eligible courses, and study abroad go to Courses.

Student Initiatives
Russian Club
Georgian Choir