The opportunity to study abroad is a hallmark of the Russian Flagship experience. Students in the program are expected to study abroad two times: first on an introductory “pre-capstone” study abroad program for at least six weeks, usually completed during the summer term, and then for an academic year on the Russian Overseas Flagship capstone program in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Russian Flagship students are required to complete a minimum of 6 weeks of study abroad in an approved intensive Russian-language program at the secondary or post-secondary level prior to application to the Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF) capstone program. This pre-capstone study abroad program must include at least 20 hours per week of formal academic instruction in Russian and a homestay with a Russian-speaking family.
Most students fulfill this requirement by participating in a UW-Madison summer study abroad program to a Russian-speaking country. UW-Madison study abroad programs include summer, academic year, and semester programs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Vladimir, Russia and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The programs, offered by American Councils for International Education in partnership with the UW-Madison Office of International Academic Programs (IAP), are designed to maximize linguistic and cultural immersion in a Russian-speaking society, with an emphasis on the development of practical speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
Application Deadlines
UW-Madison Study Abroad Programs in Russia and Kazakhstan
Spring 2022: TBD (pending due to COVID-19)
Summer 2022: TBD (pending due to COVID-19)
The American Association of Teachers of Slavic and Eastern European Languages (AATSEEL) also maintains a listing of intensive overseas Russian language programs that may fulfill the pre-capstone study abroad requirement.
The Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF) capstone program, located in Almaty, Kazakhstan and administered by American Councils for International Education, is an academic year study abroad program that provides students the opportunity for intensive, professional language training and development. The program offers Russian Flagship students access to courses and academic resources at well-respected centers and universities for the study of Russian language and culture.
Students on the ROF capstone program have the opportunity to direct enroll in courses on an audit or for-credit basis.
Russian Flagship students at UW-Madison must apply for admission to the Russian Overseas Flagship. Applications are usually due in mid-January for the following academic year. Students must plan far in advance to apply for the program and to meet Russian proficiency and pre-capstone study abroad eligibility requirements. (Participation in an intensive Russian-language study abroad program at the secondary level or beyond for a minimum of 6 weeks is required for students to be eligible to apply to the ROF. This pre-capstone study abroad program must include at least 20 hours per week of formal academic instruction in Russian and a homestay with a Russian-speaking family.)
Application Deadline
Russian Overseas Flagship: Academic Year 2021-22
UW-Madison: Mid-January 2022
Institute of International Education: Mid-January 2022
Note: Students must complete applications for the ROF in two portals, one through the UW-Madison Office of International Academic Programs (IAP) and one through the Institute of International Education. Please contact Joanna Poinsatte with questions.
The Language Flagship has three levels of recognition for students who complete Language Flagship programs:
Flagship Certification with Distinction: Completion of a Domestic Flagship Program and an Overseas Capstone experience, including direct enrollment and an internship, as well as meeting or exceeding the proficiency minimum of ILR 3 in speaking, reading, and listening. ILR 3 proficiency or higher must be demonstrated in all three modalities to be eligible for certification with distinction.
Flagship Certification: Completion of a Domestic Flagship Program and an Overseas Capstone experience, including direct enrollment and an internship, as well as meeting or exceeding the proficiency minimum of ILR 3 in speaking, and an ILR 2+ in reading and listening.
Flagship Completion: Completion of a Domestic Flagship Program and an Overseas Capstone experience, including direct enrollment and an internship, as well as the demonstration of a post-capstone proficiency of less than ILR 3 in speaking.
"The program helped transform Russian from a simple academic subject to an actual second language. My summer study abroad initiated that transition, and since then, Russian feels much more like a way of thinking than some classroom exercise, not only in reading and writing, but as a conversation tool.”
Justin Magoon, Current Student