Program Overview

WFU/Georgia: Russian Literature in the Caucasus (Summer)

Overview

The WFU/Georgia: Russian Literature in the Caucasus (Summer) program offers students the opportunity to study Russophone literature (and optionally Russian language) in an immersive environment. Students will explore how local Russophone culture is shaped by Georgia's history and traditions while engaging with the local community through host family stays and peer tutoring.

Program Information

• Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
• GPA Requirement: 2
• Housing: Homestay
• Term: Summer
• Courses of Study: Russian and E. European Studies
• Language Courses Offered: Russian

Academics

Students will earn a total of 3 or 6/7 credits on this program. Every student will take RUS 341: Russian Literature in Translation for 3 WFU credits and can opt into a language course. The language courses will be transfer credits from NovaMova language school and will transfer back as the WFU course codes described below.

• RUS 341 (3hr) (D): Russian Literature in Translation
  • Fulfills: Russian major/minor elective; Will count as Division II requirement
  • Prerequisites: None
• Optional language courses:
  • RUS 111 (4hr): Elementary Russian
    • Prerequisites: None
  • RUS 153 (3hr): Intermediate Russian
    • Prerequisites: RUS 112 or equivalent
  • RUS 321 (3hr): Advanced Russian Conversation & Composition
    • Fulfills: Russian major/minor elective; 200-level Language course
    • Prerequisites: RUS 210/212, placement test, or permission of instructor

Faculty

• Dr. Kit Pribble, Assistant Professor of Russian Language

Accommodation

Students will live in homestays with Russian-speaking host families. Host families will provide breakfast and dinner each day.

Excursions

Potential excursions and site visits will include:

• City walking tour
• Cooking masterclass + traditional Georgian supra (feast)
• Visit to the National Gallery
• Polyphonic singing and/or Georgian dance class
• Weekend trip to Batumi with tour of the botanical gardens
• Day trips to Kakheti

Selection

The faculty director is responsible for selecting each group based on the following criteria:

• Academic suitability
• Social and emotional maturity
• Seriousness of the student in pursuing the academic and cultural aims of the program
• Applicability of the program to the student's interests and studies
• Any applicable language course prerequisites

Costs

The total cost of summer study abroad can be broken down into four categories:

• Program Fee: Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some meals, and other costs associated with the program
• Tuition: Students on WFU summer programs pay WFU summer school tuition per credit hour
• Airfare (estimated): Varies per location
• Personal Expenses (estimated): These will vary depending on the students' spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee
• Estimated total program costs: $10,640 (+$1,370 if taking both the divisional literature course AND a Russian language course)

Scholarships

Scholarships are available through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.

Visa & Passport

• Passport Information: Students need to check their passport's expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program's end date
• Visa Information: If you are a US citizen, you most likely will not require a visa for your summer abroad program

Program Dates

• Term: Summer 2026
• Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
• Program Start: May 22, 2026
• Program End: June 21, 2026