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Study Abroad at Daugavpils University
Daugavpils University
All courses included in Academic Year/Semester Study Abroad programs at Daugavpils University (DU), offered by the “Learn Russian in the EU”, are licensed and accredited, guaranteeing their European and worldwide recognition. DU is a member of European University Association (EUA). DU diplomas are certified by the European Commission.
Daugavpils University (DU) is the foremost academic and research institution in Eastern Latvia. Its Department of Russian and Slavic Linguistics has a long tradition of research and instruction in Russian language and literature. The department offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral programs in Russian philology, pedagogy, and intercultural communication.
For more than 20 years, DU has been offering foreign students study abroad programs in Russian language, literature and culture.
“Learn Russian in the EU” offers Academic Year/Semester Study Abroad programs that can also include courses in Political Science, East European Studies, Baltic Studies, History, Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Environmental Sciences, and etc.
Credit transfer
DU awards European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits, the standard for most European countries. ECTS credits are widely accepted by institutions around the world.
All international students enrolled to Russian-language study abroad programs at DU, regardless their academic level and picked DU courses, are administered through the ‘Eastern European Culture and Business Relations” study program. This originates in DU internal process management. Therefore, all courses listed in the transcripts, issued by DU to students at Russian-language study abroad programs, include a reference to the “Eastern European Culture and Business Relations’ program.
Course codes at DU are assigned without any relation to the semester or year of study.
Official information on Latvian grading system please find here.
Academic calendar
Daugavpils University Fall semester usually begins on September 1st and lasts till the end of January. Spring semester begins in February and lasts till the end of June.
However, “Learn Russian in the EU” AY/Semester Study Abroad programs are shorter than a standard DU semester. Our Fall semester program is 16-weeks long and ends around December 20. Spring semester program is also 16-weeks long and ends around May 25.
The classes
The study groups are formed exclusively from “Learn Russian in the EU” international students. Thus, your classmates will be of a similar background and with similar training objectives.
Minimum required enrollment for each program is 2 students.
Elective courses may be delivered in groups or in one-on-one setting. These courses are usually taught in Russian, though teachers can add English explanations when required.
DU teachers use contemporary methods and, as a rule, classes are highly interactive.
Academic hours
Daugavpils University uses 45 minute academic blocks. The lessons are usually run in pairs, with a short break in the middle.
Eligibility
Anyone over the age of 18 who is studying in a university or who holds a high school degree may apply to a “Learn Russian in the EU” AY/Semester Study Abroad program.
Minimum ACTFL Intermediate Low Russian-language proficiency or its equivalent is required.
Costs, payments, discounts
Participation Confirmation Fee
Upon receiving your pre-booking application, we will send you an acceptance confirmation e-mail. In this e-mail you will also be informed on how to make the Participation Confirmation payment.
This payment reserves your spot and allows us make initial reservations and planning for running your program. The Participation Confirmation Fee is a non-refundable payment.
Program Fee
The Program Fee consists of two parts: Tuition and Housing fees.
The Tuition Fee includes all activities and services related to delivering the selected program: tuition, excursions, materials, in-country support services, insurance, local mobile phone etc.
The Housing Fee covers accommodation in a selected Russian-speaking family with 2 meals on weekdays and full board on weekends.
Payments
The semester fee is payable in two 50% installments. The first payment must be completed before the program begins and the second payment is expected within 6 weeks of the start of the semester program.
Our preferable payment method is bank transfer to our account, following the instructions as shown in invoices.
We also accept major credit cards, including the US Government Purchase Card. To process a credit card we will need your card details provided over the phone or via e-mail.
Dates are tentative.
Withdrawals and refund policy for AY/Semester Study Abroad programs
Students who withdraw from a study abroad program are subject to the “Learn Russian in the EU” policies regarding withdrawal and refund:
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Full refund
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Partial refund
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No refund
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Accommodation and meals
“Learn Russian in the EU” partners with outstanding Russian-speaking host families. These families offer much more than convenient lodging and good meals for our international students – they are integral to the program’s language training Living with a host family will give students an unforgettable linguistic and cultural experience.
Accommodation with Russian-speaking host families comes with breakfast and dinner on workdays and three meals on weekends.
Students may also count on assistance in finding an individual rental apartment if desired.
Cultural and sports activities
Daugavpils Theater drama and musical performances in Russian, Mark Rothko Art Center exhibitions, concerts, and festivals will give you an insight to cultural life of Daugavpils.
Our dedicated sports manager will arrange sports events, help you find the best option for your routine exercises, and take you to exciting competitions.
Of course, visiting an authentic Russian banya (steam house) is also included!
Excursions and field trips
The academic study abroad program is supplemented with excursions, tours, and field trips. Our professional guides lead all excursions.
Weekday excursions
The program includes the Daugavpils walking tour, excursions to the Church Hill, Daugavpils Fortress, Mark Rothko Art Center, 20th Century wars military memorials, the Holocaust Memorial, Russian Old Believers ethnographic site, and other destinations.
Long Weekend Overnight Trips
Long weekend overnight trips to Riga, the capital of Latvia, and Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, are provided as part of the program.
Students will explore castles in Sigulda, the magnificent Old Town, masterpieces of Art Nouveau architecture, and museums of Riga, as well as gorgeous Rundale Palace. In Lithuania students will go to the medieval Trakai Castle and enjoy historical heritage and contemporary lifestyle of Vilnius and Kaunas.
This experience will provide students with better understanding of complex relations between Baltic nations and major European powers through the history.
Hotel lodging is included in the program fee.
Independent travel
One or two 4-day long weekends will be reserved for students’ independent travel. Visa-free trips to Helsinki, Stockholm, Warsaw, Prague, and Berlin have been among the most popular of our students’ choices.
Optional Travel Week: Russia or Belarus
During a designated travel week, students may choose an optional tour of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg) or Belarus.
Minimum number of participants for each trip option is 3 students.
For these study trips, a visa to either Russia, or to Belarus is required. We help our students with preparing and submitting the visa applications to the consulates of Russia and Belarus in Daugavpils. However, obtaining the Russian or Belarussian visa is solely in the competence of the consulates and cannot be guaranteed by “Learn Russian in the EU”. The visa application processing fee is non-refundable.
During the study trips, each day will be full of excursions and discoveries, though free time for independent exploration will be also reserved.
Study trip costs are fully payable at least 10 days before the departure and are non-refundable. Only train tickets may be refunded. However, the conditions for the train tickets refund are set by railroad operators.
Additional services and personal expenses
Orientation
The on-site orientation opens the program. This session will introduce you to the academic program, history, culture and unique features of our region, living with a host family, health and safety issues.
Welcome Kit
Students receive a comprehensive welcome kit with reference materials, including printed copies of the Student Handbook and Excursion Reference, maps and stationery.
Mobile phone
A mobile phone with a local SIM card and pre-paid deposit will be provided for communication with other program participants.
Insurance
Local health and accidents insurance is included. “Learn Russian in the EU” provides 24/7 in-country support throughout the program.
Travel
We recommend arriving in Riga International Airport (RIX) not later than one day prior the program start day. Round-trip airport transfers RIX-Daugavpils is included into the tuition fee.
Please let us know your arrival details timely.
Internet
Free Wi-Fi Internet access is available in classes and at host families. In Latvia, free Wi-Fi is generally available in café, libraries, intercity buses, trains. The connections speed usually is high and stable.
Computer
We recommend bringing a Wi-Fi enabled notebook or tablet.
Estimated additional expenses
| Average lunch in a café on workdays | 2.50 – 6.00 Euro |
| Local transportation | 100 Euro for the whole program duration |
| Three-month pass to a fitness center | 55-115 Euro |