STARTALK: TRIP TO A RUSSIAN-SPEAKING COUNTRY | JUNE 2025

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

NSA-sponsored, free to students 3-week Russian immersion program for 30 high school and college students with no prior knowledge of Russian or at a low novice level.

Through an engaging series of role-plays, this student-centered, content-based program will allow for mastery of basic literacy and communicative skills in Russian as well as prepare students for a variety of cultural and language situations through topics related to traveling to Russian-speaking countries (e.g., planning a trip, at the airport, at the hotel, sightseeing, visiting a host family, eating out, etc.). The program theme on traveling allows for real-life language use and creates engaging experiences for students.

(This is not an actual trip. The program occurs on the UTA campus.)

WHO CAN APPLY

Applicants must be high school, or college students enrolled in a U.S. institution or homeschooled.
Applicants must reside in the U.S.
No prior knowledge of Russian is required.
Applicants must commit to participation in the entire program.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

June 10-28, 2025 (M-F, 9AM-3PM, June 19 is not off, last day is Saturday)

HOW TO APPLY

Fill out an online application here https://forms.office.com/r/qb8xf9eqZd. This form will take you approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Please e-mail a digital copy of your unofficial transcript to startalkrusnov@uta.edu.
You will also need the name and email address of a teacher who has agreed to fill out a recommendation form on your behalf. You will need to indicate this information in your online application.

Deadlines:

Application deadline:

March 1, 2025 (priority consideration),
April 1, 2025 (secondary consideration).

Teacher recommendation form must be submitted upon request (deadline will be indicted in the request).
Student acceptance notification: by April 15, 2025.
Student attendance confirmation: by May 1, 2025, or as requested.

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS

Upon successful completion of the program, students will

demonstrate a novice high/intermediate low level of Russian language proficiency,
engage in Russian-language learning, build their confidence and interest in learning Russian further,
receive information about various Russian-related career opportunities.
through proficiency testing, students will certify their Russian proficiency level, and depending on the test scores, those enrolled at UTA will be eligible to receive credit hours on their transcript at no personal expense.

PROGRAM COST

The entire program is sponsored by the NSA STARTALK grant, so it is free for students. This includes lunches during the program.

This program does not cover lodging, transportation to UTA, or airfare. Students must have reliable transportation to and from UTA campus every day. We will cover parking costs if applicable.

All proficiency testing fees and posting credits fees will also be covered if done before the end of the program.

QUESTIONS? WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION?

E-mail: startalkrusnov@uta.edu

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkrussian/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/BHxDB1YjCtqrrWn5/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uta-startalk-critical-language-program/?viewAsMember=true

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, and gender expression. See full policy here: 08D89616FAD6C6A425EEC76FFA2FBFD8

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