Latvia

Riga, Latvia's capital city, is a modern, lively city with a rich history and a mix of cultures and nationalities. It's located on the banks of the Daugava River and the Baltic Sea and has been a center of historic events and a meeting point for European nations for centuries. Riga's historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its 19th century wooden architecture and Art Nouveau/Jugendstil style, which can be seen on about a third of the buildings in the city center. Alberta Street is a good place to see Art Nouveau in all its glory.

The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but the high population of ethnic Russians means that Riga has a clear majority of Russian speakers, making it an excellent center for studying the Russian language. Latvia joined the European Union in 2004 and since then Riga has become a vibrant hub for businesses operating between Russia and the EU.

Learn

Learn Russian in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with native Russian speakers. Our partner school uses various teaching techniques (like taking you out of the classroom into real world settings) to help you gain a better understanding and knowledge of the language.

You can expect to:

• Learn how to communicate in everyday situations 
• Develop your comprehension skills by first listening to adapted ways of speaking and then moving onto more authentic forms 
• Learn how to use vocabulary based on your language competence 
• Develop your reading and writing skills by doing exercises at home, as well as analyzing and retelling stories, literary texts or official paperwork 
• Learn how to give presentations and express your opinions in open discussions with fellow students 
• Gain a better understanding of modern Russia by developing an awareness of a range of ethical, cultural and historical issues

Serve

IPSL does not currently provide volunteer Service placements or oversight in Latvia.

Live

Students have the option to stay with a local family, in a shared flat, or local hotel.