Why Wooster?

› Russian studies at Wooster is an interdisciplinary program. Students focus on Russia and East Central Europe in their cultural, historical, and political contexts, pursuing an opportunity to develop proficiency in the Russian language in connection with their other academic and professional interests.

› Students typically spend the fall semester of their junior year studying in Russia. Many now participate in the CIEE St. Petersburg program, which offers them an exciting opportunity to study at one of Russia’s most famous universities, to live with a Russian family, and to explore the rich cultural offerings not only of St. Petersburg, but also such important cities as Moscow and Novgorod.

› Faculty and students in Russian studies form a close and lively community. Often students live in Russian House, a suite in Luce Hall, together with the Russian language assistant, a post-graduate student from Russia. The have lunch together weekly at Russian Table, regularly attend Russian Tea Hour, and together view Russian films. Every semester they join forces to help prepare a Russian dinner.

Life After Wooster

Russian studies majors pursue a wide range of careers. Some go on to graduate school, ultimately to teach at the university or secondary school level, others go to law school or study library science. Several have found work with not-for-profit organizations. Several graduates, like Daniel Borsody ’01 and Jonathan Hayes ’02, chose to serve in the Peace Corps in the former Soviet Union. Most recently, Jesse Menefee (’04, double major with English) was awarded a Fulbright Research Fellowship for a year’s study of Russian literature in St. Petersburg before pursuing a Ph.D. in that field at Princeton.