Exploring Siberia '19. Winter edition

  Irkutsk city and Lake Baikal, Russia

About the program

Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU) offers a high quality academic program in Siberian regional studies accompanied by Russian language course and combined with diverse cultural program. The first “Exploring Siberia” took place in summer 2007 and had 17 participants; in 2010 the winter edition of ES was launched. Since that time we had more than 345 participants from 20 countries of Europe, Asia, North and South America. The School is designed for international individuals with different educational background and aims to introduce the participants to the peculiarities of Siberia from political, social, geographical, ecological etc point of view. The program furthermore provides the participants with understanding of a local life style, opens up opportunities for destroying misconceptions about Siberia. After the program completion students are awarded with certificates of participation issued by INRTU.

Curriculum

The academic program of the School consists of block of lectures on regional studies and practical course of the Russian language. The series of theme lectures in the amount of 30 academic hours will acquaint school participants with the peculiarities of Siberia from historical, geographical, geological, ecological, cultural, socio-economical point of view. I.e students will be informed about Siberia exploration and its role in the development of Russia; present problems and prospects of Siberia development; indigenous peoples Eastern Siberia, their culture and religion etc. A number of lectures are devoted to Lake Baikal, its origin, ecosystems, climate, ecology etc. Lectures on regional studies will be held by both lecturers from Irkutsk National Research Technical University and invited professors from Irkutsk educational, research and public organizations. Supporting course of Russian language in the amount of 20 academic hours is delivered by instructors of INRTU department of Russian language and intercultural communication. Total number of contact hours is 50, classes are held on weekdays, 4-5 academic hours per day. Working languages of the School are English and German.

Extracurricular activities

Academic classes are accompanied by the diverse extracurricular activities. School participants are invited to take part in guided tours, to visit museums, and theater. The highlight of the cultural program is a 4-day trip to the heart of Lake Baikal, Olkhon island.

Tentative program of the School could be found here.

Course fee:

850 EUR (academic and cultural program, pick-up service, visa support, 4-day tour to lake Baikal with full board).

Application

Application for ES is simple; just send the following documents via e-mail oms@istu.edu before November 18, 2018: motivation letter, CV, academic transcript, completed application form, international passport copy for visa support letter.

Funding opportunities:

Limited number of DAAD scholarships is available for German students (for more information refer to goeast.daad.de). 

Accommodation options (subject to availability):

• INRTU student hostel (single and double rooms within shared two-room flats with a bathroom; kitchen on the floor; residents are provided with bed-linen and basic utensils; as a standard Russian student hostel it is closed from 11 p.m. till 6 a.m.) - 300 RUB/day/person;
• Others (Irkutsk hostels, hotels etc)

Contact

Irkutsk National Research Technical University  
International Office  
Phone: +7 3952 405114  
Fax: +7 3952 405100  
E-mail: oms@istu.edu