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Russian Internships
Challenging, Unique, Effective
"... and so I was plummeted into translations for museum publications (mostly dictionary based because my Russian skills were far from translation-worthy) that ended up teaching me much more about the language than many of the courses that I attended. I was exposed to the specific museum vocabulary that is relevant to my area of study: Art History. And using my Russian in a working environment was incomparably satisfactory; it gave relevance to many hours of abstract language studying."
Alice W.
Interned at the Tretyakov Gallery
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SRAS Internships combine workplace-specific language training with real work experience. Western interns in Russia can offer unique perspectives on an organization's business/activities, or experience in working with Western clients. Many offer services often best provided by a native speaker: translating; editing; web site development; and communicating with English-speaking clients. At the same time, the work environment is Russian, giving ample opportunity to learn the language of the industry. What's available? There are no permanent "want ads" for intern positions in Russia. Rather, each position is created based on the intern's qualifications and interests. While this situation might make looking for an internship slightly more frustrating, it will, in the end, deliver a much better experience because the position is tailored to the intern. Below are a few general descriptions of internship types. SRAS internships are not limited to these! Contact us and tell us specifically what you are looking for and how you want it to benefit your personal and professional goals.
SRAS has placed interns in NGOs, advertising firms, business consulting firms, schools, newspapers (Russian and English language), think tanks, and more.
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What you need to know
1. Why are academic courses required with internships? Russia's stringent labor laws mandate that foreign interns can serve only under student or work visas. Work visas require a substantial amount of time and resources to obtain – far beyond what most can afford for a temporary employee. Student visas can only be obtained on the basis of academic enrolment. This requirement can be waived only in cases where qualified heritage speakers are planning to serve an internship on the basis of a Russian passport.  2. What do internships pay?
Russia has a very well-educated and low-paid work force. There is also a growing market of local Russian interns seeking positions to gain experience. These two factors mean that foreign interns should apply with no pay expectations. With the exception of the work-study program, all internships should be considered unpaid. "During my time at Fort-Ross I learned how to communicate with clients over the phone, which was especially intimidating at first when I was speaking with executives. I also learned how to sell my product over the phone in this case the outsourcing conference. This is very important for me since I am going into personal finance, and I will need to convince people to use my services over those of someone else."
– Mike Smith, Interned at Fort Ross Software Development, St. Petersburg. 3. What do internships cost and what services are included?
There are three basic cost structures: Placement w/ RSL or DE
Cost: $775 | Placement w/ FSA
Cost: $350 | NGO Scholarship Placement
Cost: $150* |
Each structure includes placement, mid-session evaluation, and final evaluation letter from host organization. SRAS will act as a mediator between you and prospective Russian companies and organizations. We will facilitate phone interviews when necessary and provide guidance in the Russian job market. Note that SRAS's Work Study Abroad Program does not require any placement fee. 
"My internship
was a great experience. The people I worked with tried to make sure that I got to do what I wanted to, so that I could get what I wanted out of the internship."
- Amy Brady
Interned at the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg |
*See scholarship details **SRAS also occasionally announces free internships (which do not entail SRAS services, but which benefit worthy organizations and groups) – check our news archives for recent postings. 4. Where are internships available? While there is logically a higher concentration of opportunities in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and major CIS cities like Bishkek, SRAS can find placements nearly anywhere in Russia or the CIS. 5. How do I apply? You should submit an application at least three months before you plan to begin your internship. As our internships are custom built, they take considerable time to arrange and finalize. In addition to standard application requirements, you must submit a resume, an additional recommendation from a current or previous employer, and a one-page statement of your professional goals and interests. All materials and your deposit must be submitted before the process of searching for a placement can begin. SRAS has a more than 99% placement rate. If a suitable placement is not found, the deposit is fully refunded. 6. What if I want to stay when my internship ends? In some cases, internships may be extended for little or no cost. Also, as in any internship in any country (including home) there is always the possibility that your internship may turn into a real job offer. The reality of this usually revolves around both your performance and your circumstances — do you already have a degree, are you prepared to spend considerable time abroad, what experience do you have that a Russian does not, what sort of salary do you expect, etc. All of the complexities of job-hunting at home are magnified when considering long-term employment abroad.
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