Summer 2010
Not running in 2009; please continue to check the Web for 2010 updates

2 weeks (early to late May)

Sponsored by the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

2010 will mark the 11th year for this unique program!

During the intensive, short-tem program, students gain knowledge of retail distribution in the post-command economies of Russia and Poland.  The agenda includes a balance of lectures, discussions, and site visits to international and local firms. Past site visits included Carrefour-Poland, Balticka Beer-St. Petersburg, and Galeria Mokotow. Local firms provide insights into small business operations.

Aspects of each of the host cultures are woven in via interactions with Russian and Polish students and lecturers. Guest speakers provide insights into the local business environment and participants have the opportunity to spend time with Russian and Polish students both in the classroom and in social settings. 

Students will also have ample free time to explore local cultural attractions with host families or other participants.

Where does it take place?

ST. PETERSBURG
“Peter the Great” founded St. Petersburg at the mouth of the Neva River in May 1703. A galaxy of Russian and foreign-born architects and artisans built the palaces, churches, bridges and granite river embankment, creating a city of striking architectural continuity. Despite wars and revolutions, the city preserved most of its artistic heritage.  The program takes place close to the famous “White Nights” of St. Petersburg that draws visitors from all over the world.

PUSHKIN
Students will reside with local families in Pushkin, which is located about 20 minutes from St. Petersburg. Situated near the breathtaking Katherine’s Palace, it was the summer home to the czars. Characterized by its golden-gated entrance and hall of mirrors, it attracts millions of visitors each year.

WARSAW
Although Warsaw was destroyed during World War II and the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, it has since become the national center of culture and learning. It hosts the Polish Academy of Science, 13 higher education institutions, about 27 museums, 20 theaters, the National Philharmonic, and opera and operetta companies. The Old Market Square, the most beautiful square of Old Warsaw, is surrounded by old houses with Gothic and Baroque remains. Warsaw Agricultural University is located 20 minutes from the city center in the Ursynow district. Currently it has 10,000 students in 11 departments.

What can I study?

Students of sophomore standing from any major are invited to participate; however this program should be very attractive to students in the Colleges of Communication Arts and Sciences and Business. Past participants include retailing, advertising, finance, supply chain, apparel design, and Russian language majors. The low cost of living in Central Europe makes this an affordable study abroad option. It is a two-week program designed to accommodate up to 12 students and takes place in late May. Goals for this program are to provide students with an opportunity to:

• acquire information about marketing, product distribution, and promotion strategies of retailers, advertisers, wholesalers and manufacturers
• learn about retail and wholesale product distribution before and after the demise of command economies
• gain first-hand knowledge of how retail and wholesale businesses operate
• compare and contrast retail distribution strategies
• compare and contrast Russian and Polish cultures and gain an understanding of daily life in Russia and Poland
• interact with Russian and Polish students from peer institutions
• gain exposure to Russian and Polish art, architecture and other cultural milieus by visiting palaces and museums
• gain an understanding of the impact of EU membership on the Polish economy and businesses

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of four (4) semester credits from the following courses:

Graduate credit is also available. Please contact the faculty leader for details.

An additional two to three credits (up to a maximum of six) may be earned through prior arrangement with the faculty leader.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

All students must have a valid passport PRIOR to acceptance into the program.

A short essay is required (250-500 words). Discuss why you are interested in participating in this program and how the program relates to your academic and/or career goals. A description of past international travel will be helpful.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students live with student host families in Pushkin, Russia. Living with host families is considered by participants to be one of the highlights of the entire two weeks.

“My host allowed me to experience a day in the life of a Russian student. ...We all became good friends, and now I can say that I have some great friends in Russia”.  – Former Participant

In Warsaw, students will stay in the Warsaw Agricultural University Hotel (Hotel IKAR), with accommodations similar to dormitories.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Patricia Huddleston
Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing
370 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone:  (517) 353-9907

Patricia Huddleston is a professor of Retailing at Michigan State University. She initiated this program in 1998. Professor Huddleston is well equipped for this task, having worked since 1991 to establish contacts with local retail and wholesale firms in Russia and Poland.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2008 was $1,334 and included the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• two meals per day
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $2,095 (US08).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.