Frequently Asked Questions

Which American students will gain the most from studying at Smolny?

Study at Smolny College is not only for Russian Studies majors, although such students will naturally benefit greatly from the experience.  Students interested in art, architecture, history, music, sociology, political studies, international relations, human rights, literature, or the sciences, etc., will find that Smolny offers courses suitable for their majors.

Will I take classes with Russian students?

Absolutely.  In fact, you might be the only native English speaker in some of your classes.

What makes Smolny different from other programs?

Smolny is the only college in Russia to offer a broad range of liberal arts courses along with Russian as a Second Language.  Strictly speaking, Smolny is not a "study abroad program."  It is a four-year college with a diverse curriculum.  Smolny's unique character allows students from the United States to be immersed in classes with Russian students. International students can take Russian as well as other academic courses that can meet requirements for the B.A. degree at their home college or university.

Does Smolny have a campus?

Smolny College is housed on the St. Petersburg State University campus, where it has its own space on the banks of the Neva River.  It is an urban campus, less than a mile from the famed Hermitage State Museum.  Current courses are taught at three saparate locations, but Smolny will be completely moved to the historic Bobrinskiy Palace, which is being renovated to serve as Smolny's new campus.

How much Russian do I need to get the most out of the experience?

A working knowledge of Russian is required to take advantage of courses and opportunities offered at Smolny.  Therefore, an equivalent of four semesters of college-level Russian is required.  Students who will have less than four semesters of college-level Russian prior to entering the Bard-Smolny program, and who have no other supplementary experience of Russian, are particularly encouraged to pursue a summer Russian language program such as Bard's SLI (Summer Language Intensive) program.   Please discuss any interest in Bard's SLI program when applying for the Bard-Smolny program.

Who teaches at Smolny?

The Smolny College faculty is composed of respected academics, writers, and artists.  In fact, Smolny is known for having one of the best teaching staffs of all departments at St. Petersburg State University. This is because Smolny, as a liberal arts college with a holistic curriculum, can draw faculty from all departments as well as from other distinguished St. Petersburg institutions, such as the Academy of Fine Arts, the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and the European University.

Are there courses in English?

Russian is the principal language of instruction.  However, each semester a small number of courses are taught in English.  Some American students find that they can meet their needs best by combining Russian as a Second Language (typically eight credits) with a course taught in Russian and a course taught in English.  Smolny also offers practicing art courses in music, art, and photography, which place less emphasis on reading and writing.

How many classes will I take each semester? What if I need a very specific class in order to graduate from my home school?

The average course load ranges from 12-16 credits per semester, including some four- and some two-credit courses.   You may also audit any course with the professor's permission.

Will I have the opportunity to travel outside of St. Petersburg?

An extensive and carefully planned cultural program is an integral part of North American students' time at Smolny College.  The cost of the cultural program is covered by program tuition fees.  You will visit many of the attractions within the city of St. Petersburg, such as the Hermitage Museum, the Russian Museum, the Dostoevsky Museum with walking tour, and the Anna Akhmatova Museum.  Day trips may include Novgorod and the imperial palaces at Pushkin, Pavlovsk, and Peterhof.

Students are encourage to travel on their own during the academic breaks and after the program.  Trips may include Moscow, Pskov, and Vyborg, to name a few prominent destinations.  However, please be aware that your visa will expire on February 1st after the Fall semester and July 1st after the Spring semester.   Overstaying your visa could lead to disastrous consequences, so be cognizant of the need to depart Russia safely in advance of your visa's expiration date.

Can I afford the program?

Bard College has financial aid specialists who will work with you and your home college or university to make studying at Smolny possible. If your aid package from your home institution does not transfer, scholarships may be available from the Bard-Smolny program. Additionally, federal and state loans may apply.

How big is Smolny?

The Smolny student body is approximately 450 students.

How many Americans will there be in my program?

Each semester there are between 15 to 25 North Americans on the exchange.

I already speak Russian at home, do I need to take RSL?

Students who are heritage speakers may have different language needs, such as strengthening writing and reading skills.  Smolny has the ability to tailor language instruction to fit different needs.  Subject to RSL faculty approval, fluent speakers may opt out of the RSL requirement. More information on heritage speakers at Smolny is available here.

Can I do special projects at Smolny? Can I start a student group?

North American students are encouraged to contribute to the social and academic life of the Smolny community.  Limited funds are available for Russian and U.S. student projects.  Students working together in the past have sponsored film festivals, and discussion groups and established unique student interest committees.  Some have used our virtual campus classroom to link with like-minded colleagues in the U.S.

Who issues credit/transcripts for Smolny?

All transcripts are issued by Bard College.

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