St. Petersburg Homestay Program for 16+ year olds

2011 Homestay Program in St. Petersburg, Russia

 

Is this program for you?

The St. Petersburg Homestay Program is suited to the student who is looking for a high-quality language immersion program in Russia's most beautiful city! The program is ideal for students who want to combine daily Russian language classes with afternoons, evenings and weekends that are free to join optional activities and excursions or spend time exploring St. Petersburg on their own, with their host family or with new friends. The program is intended for students who are independent, have some travel experience, are comfortable taking public transit, are used to time away from family and are able to effectively manage and advocate for themselves in new and unfamiliar situations. Please see the About Mature Teen & Gap Year Programs page for more information.

The young and energetic Tsar Peter I found Moscow old-fashioned, backward and constricting. He wanted to open 'a window to Europe', but for this he needed a site with access to the sea. In the spring of 1703, he wrested the Neva Delta from the Swedes and immediately laid the foundations of St. Petersburg. The area was virtually unpopulated, thick with forests and marshland and most thought a thoroughly unsuitable place to establish a city. But the Tsar had a vision. He would not only build a military base, naval construction site and trading centre, but a glittering Russian capital!

Gradually, St. Petersburg evolved from a swampy backwater into a modern European city, Russia’s ‘window to the West’. Unlike Moscow’s red bricks and onion domes, St Petersburg’s network of canals and baroque and neoclassical architecture give the city a distinct European flavour. Today, citizens are breaking down the barriers of generations past and exploring new ideas, investigating the possibilities of consumerism, creativity and career. It’s not only the unique architecture that entice visitors, but also edgy art galleries, underground clubs and delectable dining.

The School

The school is in the historical city centre, close to the well-known Nevsky Prospekt and a mere 300 metres from the Ligovsky Prospekt metro station. The school occupies the 4th floor of a 19th century building (there's no elevator so you'll get fit climbing all those stairs!) and offers 15 classrooms, a self-study centre with library, small cafeteria, Internet café and a booking desk for excursions, tickets and travel. The in-house cafeteria is usually open from 9:00 AM till 9:00 PM (05:00 pm during summer and on Fridays).

Russian Lessons

You can choose between standard or intensive lessons. The Standard course option provides 20 lessons per week, divided into 4 lessons per day while the intensive course option provides 25 lessons per week, divided into 5 lessons per day. Each lesson is 50 minutes in length. Group size is maximum 10 students per class and there are 6 language levels (8 in the summer months) available from beginner to advanced. Beginners are asked to be familiar with the Cyrillic Alphabet.

Starting dates are every second week for students with some Russian language skills; beginners, please see the dates listed above. The course focuses on a communicative approach and covers all areas of language comprehension - vocabulary, grammar, listening, reading, and writing.

Teachers

All teachers are selected based on proper qualification to teach Russian, their enthusiasm, and previous success teaching students. The school is a member of both the International Association of Language Centres (IALC) and the European Association for Quality Language Services (EAQUALS).

Accommodation

All accommodation, whether homestay family or local apartments and flats, have been inspected by school staff for cleanliness and suitability for students.

A homestay family experience is perfect for the student who has little time and is looking to maximize the opportunity to be immersed in the Russian culture. Like many parts of the world there is not a "typical" host family in St. Petersburg. However, we encourage you to apply well in advance of your study period to ensure that you secure the best family based on your preferences. You can choose a single or double room (if you're coming with a friend) and either breakfast or half- board (full-board on the weekends) meal options.

For general information on homestay accommodation please visit our Homestay Q & A page.

Please note: If you are 18 and over and would prefer to stay in an apartment, you can stay in a single room in a shared apartment (flat). All flats are fully furnished and come with sheets and towels. Shared flats have three or more bedrooms and bathrooms are shared with other students. Please contact us for more information.

The following program features are included in the price

• 20 or 25 lessons per week
• Study materials
• Language level test on first day of class
• Certificate of attendance and linguistic competence for each exam passed
• Internet access at the school
• Arrival airport transfer
• Your choice of either homestay or shared apartment accommodation
• Your choice of either breakfast only or half-board with the homestay option
• Comprehensive Medical & Travel Insurance