Siberian Wonderland Winter Language School in Siberia

  Russia

Novosibirsk

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: January

Description: This is an educational multi-cultural program that our Educational Center "Cosmopolitan" runs in a picturesque wooded area outside of the city of Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia, from January 3rd until January 12th, with participation of the Russian schoolchildren, youth and adults, and volunteer teachers and international students from around the globe. For the past few years volunteer teachers from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Fiji, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America, as well as university students and school children from the USA, the UK, Greece, Germany and Equador have participated in our programs.

Our Winter Language School is a unique opportunity to celebrate the coolest festive season in Siberia with lots of exciting events, and experience all the winter fun you have ever dreamed of in ten days. Too many things are separating us around the world. At the same time, festival traditions and customs, ceremonies and holidays are an integral part of every culture of the world, demonstrating that despite linguistic, cultural, and ethnic differences, people from around the globe share the same hopes, dreams, interests and concerns.

The winter language school program combines language instruction (English, German, French, etc., for local Russian students, and Russian for overseas students and volunteer teachers) with organized activities (arts and crafts projects, workshops, music and drama, games and contests, art and drawing, inventive engaging performances and shows, sports and outdoor activities, excursions).

The program is a great chance for international participants to learn the Russian language and get a first-hand experience of the Russian culture. It provides the unique cultural opportunity of daily interaction with the Russian children, youth and adults. The Russian Course is organized for overseas students and volunteer teachers and includes language studies as well as learning about the Russian culture, history and society.

The school lives a full cultural and social life. Every day various entertaining competitions, shows, performances, presentations and parties with literature and cartoons characters, winter sports and exciting outdoor activities, discos are scheduled within the school program. Social outings (traditional Russian sauna - banya, barbecue, socializing and meetings in local communities, etc.) are scheduled for international students being an extraordinarily enriching experience. One of the highlights of the Winter Language School is the Russian Christmas celebration (January 7th). On completion of the session, excursions to other historically and culturally important destinations can be organized.

Highlights: Have you always wanted to add some meaning to an overseas adventure? Do you want a new, challenging experience? Do you like to meet people from other countries and get your energy from working towards a goal as part of a team? Are you willing to gain experience, improve communication abilities, and develop skills that will help in your future employment? Have you ever daydreamed about gaining insight into the Russian culture and life in a way no traveler could?

If 'yes' is the answer, our program is the best way for you to spend your winter vacation! Siberia has been opening up to the West now and offers a range of still unexplored experiences and opportunities. The major benefits to join our winter language school program are as follows:

1) This is a not-for-profit program. Participation fee covers expenses on accommodation and ALL meals. If you come to Russia (Siberia) on your own or through a travel agency you will spend much more money compared to what you would pay to participate in our program. All the local services (airport pick-up, local transportation, excursions) are provided by our school without any additional payment.

2) Teaching at the winter language school is not like an academic teaching routine, it's more like fun where emphasis is made on communication. The most important aspect is your willingness to participate and share your knowledge and culture, as well as your enthusiasm and good will.

3) We organize an exciting cultural, social and excursion program for international participants of the winter language school, which is a very enriching experience. You will be involved in interaction with the Russian children, youth and adults all the time. This is the kind of experience you will never get if you go as a tourist.

4) You will be attending Russian languages classes every day. The Russian course is provided to all international students and also as a benefit to all our volunteer teachers/creativity workshop coordinators so you won't have to pay extra for the Russian course. Russian classes are taught by well-educated native speakers trained to teach foreigners. You will be placed in a group according to your level of Russian. No previous knowledge of Russian is required.

5) You will gain a first-hand experience of the Russian culture and life style and particularly the Siberian one. They say if you want to know what real Russia is like you should go to Siberia.

6) We provide all our foreign participants with the invitation and arrange their registration on arrival.

7) You will meet people from other countries who are going to participate in this program and this is a very interesting experience. Many of our former foreign participants keep in touch with each other after the program and even visit each other in all the different countries.

8) We also offer excursion packages which include trips to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lake Baikal, the Altai Mountains, TransSiberian Railroad, 'Welcome to Siberia' program. All the details and tour descriptions are available at request.

With lots of exciting activities to keep you cool outside and just as much
entertainment to keep you warmed up inside, you will find that our "Siberian Wonderland" Winter Language School is a perfect place to spend your winter break!

Qualifications: Native speakers of English, German, French, Spanish and other languages. No previous teaching experience is required. University students are eligible to apply. We are looking for people who are energetic, enthusiastic, open-minded, sociable, enjoy camp experiences, are willing to share their knowledge and culture.

Cost in US$: 580 USD

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We are looking for people who are energetic, enthusiastic, open-minded, sociable, enjoy camp experiences, are willing to share their knowledge and culture.

Age Range: From schoolchildren to adults. Minimum age of volunteers is 18 years old. No maximum age limits.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Russia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 10

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application