USAFA Russian program (minor)

[wondermom]

Hello, I want to know from the ones who really know about the Russian language program at the Academy (cadets, cadet’s parents, etc), my DD wants to study Russian and, she had been accepted in some great Universities , one with a top notch Russian program, she also as the AFROTC Scholarship as well as and Appointment.
How are the chances to study abroad?, summer exchange?, level of profiency after studying from beginner 4 years in the Academy until Graduation, how many cadets travel abroad, etc. Thanks.

 

[Tactical Turtle]

Seeing that Russia just poisoned a couple in the UK, we kicked out about 100 diplomats, Russia's threatening to retaliate and members from the military are currently not allowed to travel within Russia... I would imagine that the market for "summer exchanges" with an American Military Academy would be nonexistent.

But who knows!

 

[cb7893]

Several Years ago, DS was all set to study in Russia, though Project Go, at the University of Kazan, Lenin's Alma Mater. This was a Project Go program set up for Academy and xROTC cadets/Mids. He was far enough along in the process to file a Visa application. There was some sort of tiff and the arrangement with Russia was ditched. Instead the whole group went to Kiev, Ukraine where they studied in a private language school and lived with a family of first language Russian speakers.

IOW I wouldn't sweat it. The former Soviet Republics are thick with Russian language schools and teachers/families whose first language is Russian.

There is SAF member whose DS went to one of those Republics to study Russian as an Active Duty soldier.

 

[Hoodlum15]

I took Russian at the Academy for one year and did not minor. Maybe someone else can fill in the gaps but this is what I know. The Russian minor program is pretty small so it's a fairly tight knit group of people once you reach more advanced classes. The Russian teachers will often take the students home for dinner, on field trips, etc. I think the chance to do a 3 week summer overseas program is almost guaranteed as long as you have decent grades. The semester exchange is obviously more competitive, but she should still have a decent chance (sorry, I don't have numbers). Cadets haven't travelled to Russia for several years, but instead visit neighboring countries who speak Russian (like cb7893 said). As far as level of proficiency, my Russian teacher always said that you should be proficient after 4 years, but won't be completely fluent and comparable to a local. Obviously, proficiency depends a lot on your daughter's efforts. He said that on the AF language exam taken senior year you should definitely score a 3.3 (you can look that up to see what kind of proficiency that lines up with). Hope that helps!

 

[cb7893]

level of proficiency after studying from beginner 4 years in the Academy until Graduation

This is totally dependent on your DD's willingness to immerse herself in the language, whatever it is. If you want a long winded explanation you can PM me.

 

[AFFwdTX]

DS did not minor in Russian but did go to summer language school in Riga, Latvia, where there is a large Russian speaking population.