Some of our students report not feeling culture shock at all. Some are surprised by how much culture shock they experience. Often, those most affected are those who did not expect it. So how can you prepare to live in a new culture and get the most out of the experience? How do you prepare […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

There are many reasons why a student studying in Riga should go see Ikšķile and Ogre. Located only about a half hour from Riga, each of these cities is over 800 years old and have played important roles in the history of Latvia. Ikšķile, for instance, has the ruins of Latvia’s oldest church while Ogre, […]

Liepāja is Latvia’s third largest city and future European Capital of Culture in 2027. A mid-size port city on the western-most Baltic coast of Latvia, it is known by some as the “city where the wind is born” due to the constant ocean breeze blowing inland. The city has had many lives as a fishing […]

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 […]

So, you’re a vegan or vegetarian thinking about traveling to Latvia. Your family members and friends have probably apprehensively or self-righteously told you that “you’ll never survive there as a vegan.” Indeed, the national cuisine of Latvia, and, in fact, all of northern and eastern Europe, is not known for being particularly vegan-friendly. This is […]

Latvia is small country with a long history. Just outside the Riga lie a number of great sites to see – from sandy beaches to medieval castles and from majestic national parks to places literally straight out of fairy tales. See below for a small selection to get you started!   Cesis: A Medieval Town […]

This free Russian MiniLesson will help you learn the vocabulary need to get a SIM card in Russia. If you are on a regular SRAS study abroad program, SRAS will help you to obtain a local SIM card. In many locations, SRAS can also supply you with a “burner” phone for use while on the […]

A semester or year stay abroad requires considerable planning. You will need to consider the season and location as well as what you need to bring and what you should find abroad. If you will be spending winter months in most SRAS locations, luggage can quite easily become unwieldy, which can mean airline charges for […]