As a volunteer in Russia, you will have the unique opportunity to step inside a culture that was hidden behind "the iron curtain" for seventy years. Since the formation of the Russian Federation in 1991, Russia has seen a resurgence of efforts to recover its ancient national heritage through art, architecture and literature. Many of Russia's best places are only now being truly discovered by the outside world. Covering 6.5 million square miles and spanning two continents and eleven time zones, Russia is the largest country in the world. Within this vast expanse, you’ll find wilderness, lakes, and mountains, as well as hundreds of historically and culturally rich cities.
Our volunteer programs in Russia are based in Yaroslavl, the unofficial capital of Russia's "Golden Ring," a symbolic circle of ancient towns located northeast of Moscow that contain some of Russia’s oldest architecture. Situated on the banks of the majestic Volga and smaller Kotorosl rivers, Yaroslavl is one of the most beautiful and historically preserved cities in Russia. Home to the country's oldest and best public theaters, the city is known for its picturesque cathedrals, gold-domed churches, ancient fortresses and monasteries, as well as for its vibrant artistic community. 2010 will mark the city’s 1,000th anniversary, and as a volunteer in Russia, you will have the chance to join the local population in the celebrations, which have already begun.
- Volunteer Work in Russia
As a volunteer or intern in Russia, you will get to work side-by-side with local people in a Social Services placement. Skilled Russian translators will be available at your volunteer placement, to support you and facilitate your volunteer experience. They will also help you with planning your daily projects.
The area of focus available for Intern Abroad participants in Russia is social services.Volunteers and Interns in Russia are involved with:
* caring for infants and children
* teaching children
* caring for the elderly
* caring for people with disabilities
- Cultural and Learning Activities in Russia
Building on your volunteer work in Russia, we include Russian language classes, excursions to local villages where you will get to know the local people, and guest speakers on Russian history, politics, traditions, and cuisine. You may receive a visit from a local psychologist who discusses Russian fairy tales, have a talk with a member of the Yaroslavl government, who shares insights into Russian politics, or meet with a WWII survivor who shares her experiences of the war.
- Free Time in Russia
In your free time you may choose to see a production at a local puppet theater, go to the ballet and museums, take a trip to the Metropolitan Palace along the Volga River, or walk down tree-lined streets and admire the beautiful historic architecture. For volunteers wanting to travel outside of Yaroslavl, Moscow and St. Petersburg are both easily accessible by train. Volunteers who are in Russia between the months of September and March may also enjoy skiing or sledding, ice-skating or ice-fishing on frozen lakes and rivers, and countless indoor activities like concerts and sporting events.
- Home-Base in Russia
Volunteers in Russia stay at a comfortable hotel in the middle of the city and eat their meals at the hotel's restaurant at a special table reserved for our volunteers. The central location of the Home-Base allows you easy access to the local culture, as well as to the volunteer work placements. The hotel also houses the our office, so staff members are always nearby. Transportation to and from your Volunteer Placement and any Perspectives Programming activities is provided by our licensed drivers.
- In-Country Staff in Russia
Local staff in Yaroslavl will welcome you to the community, make you feel at home, and help you better understand Russian culture. They will help facilitate your volunteer experience and are always available to answer any questions that may arise. The staff is always from the region where we operate—they provide a local perspective, help you learn the local language, and guide you in what to do in your free time.
All of our in-country staff members are warm, loving people who will make sure you are well cared for. Each program site has a Country Director or Program Director and a full staff to take care of all programming, administrative, and logistical needs, as well as housekeepers, drivers, house guards, and cooks. Because the staff office is typically located at the Home-Base, a helping hand is never far.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2 weeks $2,588
3 weeks $2,885
4 weeks $3,182
5 weeks $3,479
6 weeks $3,776
7 weeks $4,073
8 weeks $4,370
9 weeks $4,667
10 weeks $4,964
11 weeks $5,261
After the initial two weeks, each additional week of stay is only $297.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Volunteering Vacations
Cultural Journey
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