Russian Studies students study abroad in Moscow, land exciting internships on the Washington Semester Program, and produce original research. Co-curricular events aim to bring your interest in Russia to life.
Events
The Russian program hosts a full calendar of co- and extracurricular events. These events include films, live performances, panels and lectures, and sponsored trips to museums, theaters, restaurants and cultural sites.
Internships
There are many resources for students who are interested in Russian-related jobs, internships and volunteer positions.
Washington Semester Program
The Washington Semester Program is a highly competitive, semester-long program offered in Washington, D.C., through Holy Cross. The program welcomes students from all disciplines to connect their academic learning with direct, professional experience in their major fields, providing them with dynamic opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth and development. Through the Washington Semester Program students have the opportunity to work with national leaders, engage in independent research, and live in the stimulating environment of Washington, D.C.
Russian Studies students with an interest in government, law, and business regularly participate in the Washington Semester Program.
Recent internships earned by our students include the following:
- Office of Russian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- Office of Policy and Regional Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- Arms Control Association
Learn more about the Washington Semester Program.
Other internships
These sites are good places to begin a search:
- The Museum of Russian Icons in nearby Clinton offers an internship program for college students.
- AATSEEL Internship Page – American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages
Russian faculty forward job and internship information to students enrolled in Russian classes. If you are not enrolled in a Russian course and would like to receive job information, please contact Professors Amy Singleton Adams and Olga S. Partan.
Museum of Russian Icons
Russian icons are sacred, "living" texts that serve as a window between heaven and earth and a gateway between the Orthodox believer and God. The icon is a world of signs, each filled with spiritual significance. Nothing about an icon — the paints and materials used, colors, the position and size of characters — is casual. The stature of icon masters is close to that of monks; icons are traditionally painted at large monastery centers called "lavras." Russian icons are blessed and approved by the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Museum of Russian Icons, in nearby Clinton, Massachusetts, holds one of the world’s largest collections of Russian icons. In the spring, the Russian Program sponsors a trip to the museum. The museum also offers a student internship program.
Visit the Museum of Russian Icons website.
National Slavic Honor Society
Dobro Slovo, the national Slavic Honor Society, was founded in 1926 to recognize the academic excellence of students studying Slavic languages and literatures and to foster scholarly interest in Slavic life and culture. There are now over 130 local chapters and over 6,200 members. Qualified students receive this national academic award each spring during the Academic Conference.
Research
For students interested in research, the Russian Studies faculty works with select students through the College Honors Program, the Weiss Summer Research Program, and other programs (like the Washington Semester Program and GSWS) that require capstones and theses.
Some recent student research topics include:
- “Notes from the Underground: The Moscow Metro System and Its Hidden Figures”
- “Kandinsky’s Early Paintings and the Influence of Russian Folk Art and Religion”
- “Gift from God: Icons as Measure of Russian Nationalism”
- “Bezumie: The Representation of Madness in Russian Literature”
- “Marxist Ideology and Feminism: Tensions Between Theory and Practice in Revolutionary Russia”
- “An Oral History of the Stalin Era: Interviews with Worcester’s Russian-Speaking Community”
Russian Club
The Holy Cross Russian Club is one of the most enthusiastic student organizations on campus. Students work closely with Russian faculty members to plan, organize, and run the Russian Film series, trips to restaurants and Russian cultural events, and student performances, and celebrations. Membership is open to all students and everyone is welcome at our events.
Study Abroad
Daugavpils, Latvia
Studying abroad can be a transformative learning and personal experience. Our program in Daugavpils, Latvia is designed specifically for Holy Cross students and is based in the Russian Speaking town of Daugavpils, Latvia. Students have a range of options, including a six-week summer program, a semester program and an academic year program. Language levels range from elementary to advanced.