UCEAP celebrates 50th anniversary of student exchange to Russia!
Earlier this month, the alumni team welcomed 45 UCEAP alumni from our Russia programs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our exchange!
Since 1974, 852 UC students studied abroad in Russia. The partner location has changed many times over the years, from Moscow to St. Petersburg. While the program has been suspended since 2020, UCEAP is creating a new program to study Russian language in Kazakhstan that is scheduled to launch in 2027.
Traktir, a well-known Russian restaurant to cater the event. A highlight of the event was watching our alumni talk with the bartenders in Russian! Alumni spoke about how challenging it was to learn the language and the fact that it was so difficult led them to find ways to practice and maintain their skills. Many continue to use their Russian language in their work. Some examples include teachers who talk with parents from the former Soviet bloc countries, public defenders who represent immigrants, journalists stationed in Moscow, and alumni working as translators or with USAID in Russia.
Alumni and event photos available on Flickr!