Program in Russian and East European Studies
The end of the Cold war along with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and communist regimes in Eastern Europe in the early 90’s offered Fairfield University a unique opportunity to take a fresh look at an old field: Russian and East European area studies. Formerly caught within the framework of the Cold War, new societies continue to emerge, struggling to come to grips with their pasts and forging their own unique futures. With the assistance of an initial grant from the PepsiCo Foundation in 1993 and support from the U.S. government and private foundations, Fairfield University has forged a unique blend of academic programs, special opportunities, and faculty and student exchange.
Fairfield University's Ties with Russia and Eastern Europe
Fairfield University has strong ties to five universities in northwest Russia (Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Pomor University in Arkhangelsk, Kant University in Kaliningrad, Cherepovets University in Cherepovets and the St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance). The university is also linked to a variety of programs that allow for an expansion of relations between Russia, Eastern Europe, and Fairfield University.
Fairfield University has hosted the Russian-American Bankers' Forum, and the Dolan School of Business is engaged in a series of training programs and internships for Russian bankers and businessmen.
International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) is an international nonprofit organization which specializes in education, independent media, internet development, and civil society programs in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, N. Africa, and Asia. The Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program is part of IREX and sends first-, second-, and third-year undergraduates from countries throughout Eastern Europe to study in the U.S. for an academic year. For the past eight years, Fairfield has hosted students from this program.
Fairfield is a partner of the Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP) which provides junior university faculty from Eurasia with the opportunity to attend classes, do research, and develop new curricular materials to be implemented in their home institutions. It also enables these scholars to enhance their teaching skills and to expand their fields of study. Fairfield has hosted scholars from Russia, the Newly Independent States, and Southeastern and Central Europe each year since 1999.
For further information please contact:
Dr. David McFaddden
Canisius Hall 324
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
(203) 254-4000 ext. 2871
 Profile
Andrea Bean
Russian and East European Studies minor
International studies major
"In my freshman year, I took the 'Russian cluster,' a coordinated group of courses on Russian language, history, culture, and film, and loved it. That's when I learned I could minor in Russian and East European Studies. I'm an international studies major, so the two fields complement each other well. I had wanted to take another language after high school, and Russian is perfect for someone wanting to speak and write a completely different language.
"The program is very good, and Dr. McFadden knows everything about Russia. Lots of faculty are from Russia, so we're learning more than just what's in a textbook. Right now, I'm doing an internship within the department, and I'm planning to do a year or two of service after graduation." |
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