Author: SRAS Wikis

Each summer, SRAS offers courses in Warsaw, Poland in Polish and Ukrainian language and culture. Students can specialize in either language and all participants take part in the Slavic Seminar – a series of lectures and workshops diving into topics of identity, language, literature and film, history, and more – and enjoy an extensive cultural […]

Vilnius is a fairly cheap 4-hour bus ride from Riga. Making that trip give you the opportunity to see another side of the rich cultural heritage of the Baltics. With affordable housing options like the Downtown Forest Hostel, you can easily immerse yourself in Vilnius’s historic Old Town. Planning your trip around the last Sunday […]

One of the best ways to jump into a new culture is through the local food. The sheer act of sharing food experiences also gives you instant conversation starter material with locals. Central Asian cuisine, having developed largely from nomadic cultures, is often heavy on grains, pasta, dairy, and meat. We are sure that you […]

What’s it really like to live in Bishkek for a semester? Staying long-term in a city is much different from just vacationing there. You’ll need to navigate more of the practical, everyday services of the city and budget to include more miscellaneous and long-term expenses. Thus, this guide covers everything from haircuts to pharmacies and […]

While abroad, it’s natural to get a bit homesick and start craving the comfort foods we are used to. While we recommended that you dive into the local culture as much as possible, sometimes seeing foreign takes on American classics can be interesting and educational… right? Here’s a list of six fast food places that […]

I spent eight weeks in Yerevan, Armenia with SRAS and another eight with a US-government run program in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (SRAS also hosts programs in Bishkek). Afterwards, I was surprised by how similar the two cities felt despite being thousands of miles apart. That said, each city also has characteristics that make it unique which […]

SRAS is not in the business of selling plane tickets, with the exception of group educational tours and domestic flights not available for purchase outside of our program host countries. We do, however, continuously monitor flight pricing and travel logistics routings for our study destinations and we travel a lot ourselves. As such, we are […]

The following interviews were taken Eddy S., a student who studied with SRAS over the summer of 2024 who is lesbian and trans. In addition, those sharing their thoughts are John Doe, a gay trans man who wanted to remain anonymous, and Jane Doe, a lesbian trans woman who also wanted to remain anonymous. SRAS thanks […]

Riga is a hidden gem on the edge of Europe. This resource will introduce you to some of the shopping opportunities that students and staff participating on SRAS programs in Riga have found there. This resource is part of the much larger SRAS Guide to Living in Warsaw.   Central Market: Shopping and Speaking Russian […]

Poland may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about vegetarian cuisine. However, as a vegetarian, and having now traveled to Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk in Poland while attending Security and Society in the Information Age, I can say that these cities all have great vegetarian options and even strictly vegan […]

In my six years as a competitive ballroom dancer in the United States, I’ve been struck by the fact that most of my coaches, teachers, and judges are from former Soviet states. Even Ukrainian President Zelensky had a star turn as a dancer when he won a Dancing with the Stars competition in 2006. During […]

Fabrika Hostel is a large and centrally located hostel in Tbilisi. Students on regular SRAS programs in Georgia stay at homestays while in Georgia. However, SRAS recently hosted a group of students on a short-term faculty led program from University of Richmond who chose a hostel stay for their time abroad. The following was written […]

There are many ways to stay fit while in Tbilisi! Below are suggestions for gyms and training clubs within the city that students on SRAS programs in Tbilisi have found and would like to recommended. This resource is part of the much larger SRAS Guide to Living in Tbilisi. This resource is a stub. SRAS invites […]

Eurasia today is quite affordable. Students are often surprised how far their dollars will go even in major cities like Warsaw – and very surprised at how far they go in places like Bishkek. However, students can also be surprised at how easy it is to run into troubles – like blocked bank cards or […]

Amidst the excitement of studying abroad, students often seek unique experiences. Imagine combining the thrill of exploration with the indulgence of self-care. In this tale, students embark on an unconventional journey, where cultural immersion intertwines with the soothing rituals of nail artistry. Dona Nail 51 Tbel-Abuseridze St Review by SRAS Student Marina Garfield When I […]

Jurmala is a resort town on the Baltic Sea coast with a long history. It’s known for its traditional architecture, cultural institutions, and, of course, its surprisingly warm beaches. SRAS students in Riga regularly travel to Jurmala, allowing them to see both life outside the capital, but also to see how many Latvians relax on […]

What’s it really like to live in Tbilisi for a semester? Staying long-term in a city is much different from just vacationing there. You’ll need to navigate more of the practical, everyday services of the city. You will also need to budget for more miscellaneous and long-term expenses. Thus, this guide covers everything from haircuts […]

Caroline Southworth is studying diplomacy at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. She had the opportunity to serve as a student ambassador in a program run by the US embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan while studying abroad on SRAS’ Central Asian Studies Program. As a student ambassador, she visited the K. Tynystanov Issyk-Kul State University in Karakol. […]

What’s it really like to live in Batumi for a semester? Staying long-term in a city is much different from just vacationing there. You’ll need to navigate more of the practical, everyday services of the city and budget to include more miscellaneous and long-term expenses. Thus, this guide covers everything from haircuts to pharmacies and […]

Georgia is one of SRAS’ fastest growing study abroad locations. Students that head to Batumi or Tbilisi return home with incredible stories of a friendly, architecturally interesting city, fabulous food, breathtaking mountain adventures, and, very often… dogs. Georgia’s stray dogs are remarkably well-kept by Georgian society. They are generally well-fed, well-behaved, and even fully vaccinated. […]

One of the most exciting things about travel is the ability to try new combinations of flavors and textures! Local food can not only delight your senses, but also introduce you to important parts of the local culture and history. Georgian food is one of those cuisines that are exotic and yet everyone  Study, eat, […]

Batumi’s restaurants offer just about everything. Whether you are looking for just great food, for instagramable moments, for vegan fare, or just about anything else, you can find in Georgia’s resort city! Below are some options found by SRAS students in Georgia that they would like to share with you. Freeduchio Café 6 Griboedov St […]

There are affordable gyms, scenic jogging routes, and other fun ways to stay fit while in Riga! Below is some advice on how to take advantage of all that city has to offer. It comes from SRAS staff on the ground in Riga as well as graduates of SRAS programs in Latvia. This resource is […]

What’s it really like to live in Riga, Latvia for a semester? Staying long-term in a city is much different from just vacationing there. You’ll need to navigate more of the practical, everyday services of the city and budget to include more miscellaneous and long-term expenses. Thus, this guide covers everything from haircuts to pharmacies […]

One of the most exciting things about travel is the ability to try new combinations of flavors and textures! Local food can not only delight your senses, but also introduce you to important parts of the local culture and history. Latvia can, in addition to introducing you to Latvian food, also offer an array of […]

We know how it is. Sometimes, after weeks of excitement exploring a new culture in a new city and new country, we all just need a little comforting taste of home. Riga has a blossoming cafe and culinary culture and this includes a number of cafes and restaurants that specialize in pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and […]

Like any good European capital, Riga’s historic streets bustle with people and are lined with quaint cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries offering a place to sit, relax, and enjoy the sweeter things in life. Below are some options found by SRAS students in Riga that they would like to share with you. This guide is […]

Latvian culture has a long history of brewing. Cider is considered the oldest brewed Latvian drink. These days, herbal balsams (bitters) from Latvia’s lush forests are perhaps even better known as the national tipple. Beer brewing also has a long history here, with craft beer becoming more popular each year. As Latvia enjoys a revival […]

Warsaw boasts a number of massive shopping malls, including the largest shopping center in Central Europe, Arkadia, with some of the most in-demand brands and stores. You’ll find the market quite well developed with most needs easily accessible. Below is some helpful advice from some of the students and staff that have worked on SRAS […]

What’s it really like to live in Warsaw for a semester? Staying long-term in a city is much different from just vacationing there. You’ll need to navigate more of the practical, everyday services of the city and budget to include more miscellaneous and long-term expenses. Thus, this guide covers everything from haircuts to pharmacies and […]

Let our Warsaw students let you know what to expect when arriving to Warsaw! Heading abroad is always a big step and can feel exciting or overwhelming – or both. Learn from the experience of others and hit the ground running! How did you feel when you first arrived? Eric Nesbitt (Fall, 2019): Eric Nesbitt: […]

Thinking of spending a semester in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan? Let our students let you know what to expect when arriving to the city! Heading abroad is always a big step and can feel exciting or overwhelming – or both. Learn from the experience of others and hit the ground running! How did you feel when you […]